DQOTD: How Strict Is Your Course(s) re: Foursomes?

[Middler]

There was a time when foursomes were mandatory at any decent course, but that seems to have relaxed at all but the top tier courses? We are not playing top tier courses, all public courses in the mid range cost wise. [We go to bucket list courses 2-3 times a year and we make sure we have two foursomes.]

We play away once a week on Wednesdays, and we scramble to get two foursomes together many weeks. We seem to have about 12 regular players, but we've given preference to the original 8, so the other 4 don't feel any obligation to the group (understandably as they're always on the bubble). The "other" four changes periodically, as they don't have right of first refusal. Getting up to, or down to 8, is the most daunting part of organizing every week - the part of organizing we all detest. This is how we've operated since last June. Call this "core 8." I don't think it's the best approach

We could have a weekly rotating list, and ask everyone who wants in, and take the top 8 - but that will leave someone out most weeks, including those who core 8 who currently have right of first refusal . It's equitable but not necessarily low friction. Call this "equitable."

It occurs to me to the most equitable AND low friction approach is to just ask all 12, and don't exclude anyone unless we have less than 7 - we'd agree to skip those weeks. Any number from 7 to 12 we'd just make 2-3 tee times and go. 8 and 12 are great but won't happen every week. If we get 7, we make two tee times, and play a foursome and a threesome. If we get 10, we make three tee times, and play a foursome and two threesomes. You get the drift for 9 & 11. Call this "low friction and equitable."

In the latter case, we'd still look for subs to fill out foursomes, but we wouldn't stress over it - we certainly have up to this point, considering foursomes mandatory.

So would we get pushback from courses if we adopt the "low friction and equitable" model in your opinion? I don't want to deliberately take advantage of the courses we play, but we have more than 12 courses we play in rotation so we wouldn't be taking advantage anywhere week after week. We can't be the only ones to face this weekly dilemma...

 

[Siamese Moose]

Weekday or weekend? On a weekday I don't know of a course in my area (Cincinnati) that would have a problem. Weekend it would be only a couple, and frankly those are known for having an overall attitude problem. 

[Middler]

2 hours ago, Siamese Moose said:

Weekday or weekend? On a weekday I don't know of a course in my area (Cincinnati) that would have a problem. Weekend it would be only a couple, and frankly those are known for having an overall attitude problem. 

Great point, I've edited the original post - Wednesdays...

[hckymeyer]

I guess the answer depends on if you care if a random single gets inserted in to the group?  Also best course of action would probably be ask the course when you make the tee times, even if it's a rotation of 12 courses if it's a place you play with any frequency you don't want to be that guy.  

 

[MNUte]

Salt Lake Courses tend to get pretty packed on weekends and most of the day weekdays. As a result, group size is one of the few things that's consistently enforced at almost every course. 

[Titleist87]

18 minutes ago, MNUte said:

Salt Lake Courses tend to get pretty packed on weekends and most of the day weekdays. As a result, group size is one of the few things that's consistently enforced at almost every course. 

Same in Utah County. I get that they want the most revenue an that is the best business move for them to make.  As to your name, MN = Minnesota?

[MNUte]

6 hours ago, Titleist87 said:

Same in Utah County. I get that they want the most revenue an that is the best business move for them to make.  As to your name, MN = Minnesota?

Well done! Yep, born in Minnie then moved out to Utah years ago for college. 

And yeah, there are some great courses in Utah County, but it's often not worth it cause they pack you like sardines. Last two times I played down there, at least four groups got backed up behind two really bad and slow groups who wouldn't let people play through. 

[garyt1957]

Not  sure I get the question. Are you saying you won't book a tee time if you have less than 4? I book a twosome all the time. The course will hook you up with another twosome if they're busy, if not they're glad to have your business as a twosome.