No Alcohol Beverages

[fixyurdivot]

Not sure about your neck of the woods, but we're now seeing "what's in your bag" signs at the courses here in AZ reminding players that bringing your own alcohol beverages is a no-no.  I'm not sure if this is a local county or state wide restriction but we've not seen these reminders years past.  One obvious reason is competition with their own bar/beverage carts.  Another sounds like risk of them (the course) losing their liquor license. What do you see at your courses?

[cnosil]

Our courses have had signs that usually say no outside coolers.   Against Virginia ABC regulations and the courses risk loosing their license. 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

My course here in Tennessee has always been that way. No outside coolers or drinks. Outside beverages would take away from the clubs revenue. It would also can allow them to monitor someone's consumption if need be. You can get a cooler full of what you want from the club to take out on the course. You just have to purchase the liquor at the club.

[JFish350]

I have  yet to be on a course that allows outside food or drink. It may be more prevalent now days with the rising cost of what seems to be everything. (Not a political statement just my observation). 

[Siamese Moose]

I've worked in the alcohol industry. Every state prohibits a license holder from allowing outside alcohol into their license area. (It eliminates the possibility of a holder cutting off a drunk.) Depending on how aggressive a control agent gets, even a single case can result in a suspension in the liquor license. Multiple cases are a certain suspension, and a recurrence after a suspension probably will result in permanent revocation. While the agency may take into account how sneaky the person was who brought it in, they're not required to consider that. I've heard of country clubs around here who have kicked out members who did this. I do not know of any golf courses who have suffered suspensions here, but I do know of other private clubs that have (a VFW hall).

[Golfspy_CG2]

5 hours ago, Siamese Moose said:

I've worked in the alcohol industry. Every state prohibits a license holder from allowing outside alcohol into their license area. (It eliminates the possibility of a holder cutting off a drunk.) Depending on how aggressive a control agent gets, even a single case can result in a suspension in the liquor license. Multiple cases are a certain suspension, and a recurrence after a suspension probably will result in permanent revocation. While the agency may take into account how sneaky the person was who brought it in, they're not required to consider that. I've heard of country clubs around here who have kicked out members who did this. I do not know of any golf courses who have suffered suspensions here, but I do know of other private clubs that have (a VFW hall).

This so much.  We (our course) are County owned.  DJ if we don’t follow county liquor license restrictions, well you can imagine the consequences.  
I’ll say this as nicely as I can.  Guys why would you even think it’s ok to bring your own beer or alcohol as a paying customer.  Would you think it’s ok at a MLB or NFL gsme.  Or into the local Outback or Legal Seafood?   
You would be shocked at the number of people who become beligerent about it or try to sneak it in their golf bags.  
 

If you can’t afford $8 to $12 for 3 -4 beers during a round, then maybe you should be evaluating if you should be playing that round. 

[tommc23]

19 minutes ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

This so much.  We (our course) are County owned.  DJ if we don’t follow county liquor license restrictions, well you can imagine the consequences.  
I’ll say this as nicely as I can.  Guys why would you even think it’s ok to bring your own beer or alcohol as a paying customer.  Would you think it’s ok at a MLB or NFL gsme.  Or into the local Outback or Legal Seafood?   
You would be shocked at the number of people who become beligerent about it or try to sneak it in their golf bags.  
 

If you can’t afford $8 to $12 for 3 -4 beers during a round, then maybe you should be evaluating if you should be playing that round. 

I bring my own cigars that is it mainly because most courses don’t have stogies I like.

[Golfspy_CG2]

3 hours ago, tommc23 said:

I bring my own cigars that is it mainly because most courses don’t have stogies I like.

No problem with that.  Most bring their own cigs or cigars.   We have a few on hand.  But certainly not a wide selection.  

[Paul Hedrick]

I know our courses have the 'No outside alcohol' signs listed.  This is no problem for me as I cannot/do not drink while golfing.  I play poorly enough sobor!  Some of my regular golf buddies will sneak a flask on course, and offer me some.   I always decline. 

 

[RollingGreens]

I see it all the time. I’ve played with random groups throughout the summer and see the whiskey or fireball bottle being taken out for birdies which is a bit of a head shaker. I’m not much for drinking on the course but I also play in a competitive morning group teeing off at 7am on the weekends. It seems that more and more these days people are pushing the limits on anything 

[Headhammer]

The muni's around us have no issues with coolers, without them they wouldn't get the play they need to stay solvent. During the height of the pandemic some of the private clubs did allow coolers, but most are back to no outside beverages. 

[fixyurdivot]

13 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

This so much.  We (our course) are County owned.  DJ if we don’t follow county liquor license restrictions, well you can imagine the consequences.  
I’ll say this as nicely as I can.  Guys why would you even think it’s ok to bring your own beer or alcohol as a paying customer.  Would you think it’s ok at a MLB or NFL gsme.  Or into the local Outback or Legal Seafood?   
You would be shocked at the number of people who become beligerent about it or try to sneak it in their golf bags.  
 

If you can’t afford $8 to $12 for 3 -4 beers during a round, then maybe you should be evaluating if you should be playing that round. 

Good point Rob and I do not disagree.  I was just surprised by seeing the sign out front this season - which no doubt was prompted by folks doing the BYOB thing.  Now, that said, we still like to have a shot of birdie juice (or 4 in the fairway or 4 pars when things get desperate) . One of the guys makes a peach and blackberry mix that should be illegal... and, based on this thread, appears to be .

[GaDawg]

You have some people that are always looking for ways to beat the system. These are the same people that will not follow the rules and have no golf etiquette on the courses. Drive their carts in areas marked as do not enter, don't fill divots or repair ball marks on the greens.

[Paul Hedrick]

I have to wonder how is it that someone HAS to consume Alcohol Beverages on the golf course.  I mean to say that if you cannot go 4 hours without drinking you may want to consider figuring that out first.

[Middler]

I don’t know of a course near me that allows players to bring their own beer, but most don’t enforce the rule - I have seen people bring their own beer. Most of the guys I play with don’t drink while playing, but a few will have a beer or two. Most courses we play sell beer at reasonable prices, only one has exorbitant prices. We always have a beer after the round, some have a few during too - we’re fine with supporting the courses.

Every once in a while when it’s cold one of us will bring a 10-pack of 50ml Fireballs or other (not for sale on any course I’ve seen), otherwise we’re happy to buy from the course.

OTOH everyone I know brings their own non-alcohol hydration, even though courses sell same.

Frankly I might buy from beverage carts (alcohol or non) but I never know when they’ll be on the course and not, so I can’t rely on them. Being dehydrated in summer is not an option.

[fixyurdivot]

1 hour ago, Middler said:

I don’t know of a course near me that allows players to bring their own beer, but most don’t enforce the rule - I have seen people bring their own beer. Most of the guys I play with don’t drink while playing, but a few will have a beer or two. Most courses we play sell beer at reasonable prices, only one has exorbitant prices.

Every once in a while when it’s cold one of us will bring a 10-pack of 50ml Fireballs or other (not for sale on any course I’ve seen), otherwise we’re happy to buy from the course.

OTOH everyone I know brings their own non-alcohol hydration, even though courses sell same.

Frankly I might buy from beverage carts (alcohol or non) but I never know when they’ll be on the course and not, so I can’t rely on them. Being dehydrated in summer is not an option.

I always bring my own water for hydration as the beverage carts are anything but reliable.  Most of us keep a small, chilled bottle of FB in the bag for birdie juice.  It seems to me those making the laws simply don't understand golf traditions.  It would be the equivalent of telling the Seattle fans their too loud and can no longer go over 90 dB due to local noise ordinances. 

 

[Golfspy_CG2]

3 hours ago, Paul Hedrick said:

I have to wonder how is it that someone HAS to consume Alcohol Beverages on the golf course.  I mean to say that if you cannot go 4 hours without drinking you may want to consider figuring that out first.

I rarely ever drink during a round, maybe one round a year may have 1 beer toward the end of a round.  But I don't drink much anyway.  That said, I have no problem with people who want to enjoy a few beverages responsibly during a round.  I mean it is a leisure activity, much like going to the beach or sitting by the pool, or as I mentioned earlier attending a sporting event.  I just think you should respect the rules of the facility you are at.  

[russtopherb]

1 hour ago, fixyurdivot said:

I always bring my own water for hydration as the beverage carts are anything but reliable.  Most of us keep a small, chilled bottle of FB in the bag for birdie juice.  It seems to me those making the laws simply don't understand golf traditions.  It would be the equivalent of telling the Seattle fans their too loud and can no longer go over 90 dB due to local noise ordinances. 

 

That's really not a very good argument to make. As noted above, you don't bring your own beer into a football, hockey, or baseball game. It seems to me that those making the laws want to protect properties against liability and also want them to do this crazy thing called making money. 

I've never even considered bringing alcohol with me to the course as "birdie juice". I guess I'm not following hallowed traditions then???? Am I less of a golfer as a result?

[BIG STU]

My home course does not have any signs posted or seem to say anything. Of course their alcohol prices are reasonable. They do give you free bottled water because even pre covid they did not have water on the course. They do encourage one to carry coolers on the course with water.

Now some courses mainly the Founders group courses have signs posted and will ask to look into coolers. Some folks like me on dieuretics have to keep a water supply and some folks have to keep legit medications ready and cool and I am not talking about alcohol either. One of the courses here got sued a few years back because they would not let a guy take his cooler and he filed a lawsuit under the ADA act. He was also a member at that course which was semi private--- It was referred by the state court to federal court. When that happened the courses lawyers about killed themselves getting to an out of court settlement. He finally settled on a out of court settlement and it cost them dearly. I think the head Pro and 2 bag drop guys were let go. I knew the guy and he was legit and had legit medicine and water and offered to show them that he had no alcohol in fact he did not drink because of his health concerns. In fact it came out that the head pro told him if he was in that bad of shape he should not play golf.  Everyone in course management around here knows of the incident and are cautious. I have been asked at Founders Courses and I am glad to show them I have no alcohol just water and CBD gummies which are legal here and I have had no problem at all. 

I am not sure per say what the ABC laws are in SC on this. But I will say in this county they are hesitant to suspend a ABC license for such trivial stuff because they generate a lot of tax revenue

[MmmmmmBuddy]

This is easy.  Don't bring your own alcohol to a licensed facility. 

you wouldn't at a bar, restaurant, grocery store, or concert venue, so don't do it at a golf course.

Simple.  

 

[cnosil]

36 minutes ago, MmmmmmBuddy said:

This is easy.  Don't bring your own alcohol to a licensed facility. 

you wouldn't at a bar, restaurant, grocery store, or concert venue, so don't do it at a golf course.

Simple.  

 

While this is true in most cases there are restaurants that allow you to bring in outside alcoholic beverages.  They generally charge you a corking fee but it is allowed.  This is state and restaurant dependent but it is allowed.   
 

the simple answer is to simply follow the rules of the place you are playing. 

[The 19th Hole]

I don't drink a lot when I play, but when I drink I like to drink good stuff. Most courses don't have a very good top shelf. So I will occasionally bring a little bit of what I like for days when I am there for enjoyment over shooting my best score...

 

[BostonSal]

2 hours ago, The 19th Hole said:

I don't drink a lot when I play, but when I drink I like to drink good stuff. Most courses don't have a very good top shelf. So I will occasionally bring a little bit of what I like for days when I am there for enjoyment over shooting my best score...

 

I don't drink any alcohol when I play unless the beverage cart girl flirts with me and then I'm pretty much obligated to buy something.

They can play old men as if we were harmonicas.

 

In the clubhouse, I'll have a drink or two but never more than that because I'm driving home.

I miraculously got away with too much incredibly stupid behavior as a youngster

so that my place now is to be thankful and not tempt fate.

[fixyurdivot]

9 hours ago, russtopherb said:

I've never even considered bringing alcohol with me to the course as "birdie juice". I guess I'm not following hallowed traditions then???? Am I less of a golfer as a result?

No, you're not less of a golfer but you might not be having as much fun .  This tradition is something the older guys I hang with here in Yuma got me into years ago... so I'm the victim here.

[BIG STU]

14 hours ago, cnosil said:

While this is true in most cases there are restaurants that allow you to bring in outside alcoholic beverages.  They generally charge you a corking fee but it is allowed.  This is state and restaurant dependent but it is allowed.   
 

the simple answer is to simply follow the rules of the place you are playing. 

Yep North Carolina was like that back in the day when I was growing up. It was called  "Brown Bagging" and was legal then. The restaurant would let you bring in your liquor etc and charge a fee for chasers and Ice etc. Ever so often especially in the election years " Liquor by the drink" would come up and the Baptists would raise a stink and it would be defeated. I do not know now per say because I have not lived there in over 40 years now. I do know in NC they still have dry counties. Cabarrus county is still a dry county but Concord which is the county seat is wet and you can buy alcohol in the city. In fact they annexed Charlotte Motor Speedway into the city a few years back so they could sell beer at the races and events. In SC I am not real sure of the laws except that up until like 5 years ago we were the only state left with the mini bottles by law in bars and restaurants. Now they have free pour but some tell me you can still buy mini bottles at the liquor store. I know that for a fact because some of the guys carry mini bottles especially Fireball in their golf bags.

But I agree with you if your are in their house follow their rules. To me it makes no difference because I really do not drink anymore maybe ONE beer if I am in the mood for it which is not too often

[BIG STU]

11 hours ago, BostonSal said:

I don't drink any alcohol when I play unless the beverage cart girl flirts with me and then I'm pretty much obligated to buy something.

They can play old men as if we were harmonicas.

 

In the clubhouse, I'll have a drink or two but never more than that because I'm driving home.

I miraculously got away with too much incredibly stupid behavior as a youngster

so that my place now is to be thankful and not tempt fate.

Believe it or not my home course does not have a beverage cart--- The owners say that beverage carts and cart girls are a PITA--- Now their beer and drink prices are reasonable and they will give you free ice and a nice bag for free to take on the course.

And I do not really drink anymore but would not drink and drive anyhow--- My days of being a volunteer fireman and a wrecker driver seeing too many innocent lives ruined has made a mark in my mind--- Never did drink and drive when I drank but had enough stupid behavior with motor vehicles as in drag racing and such that I was lucky I did not kill myself or innocent other people. Yep I am thankful and do not tempt fate--- What appaled me when I got in the wrecker business here was the number of DUI arrests made here on a daily basis. Not only tourists but locals too. Like I told one of the Cops it just amazes me they have bill boards posted messages on TV and radio and Still people do it. That officer also told me another amazing fact for this area for everyone they catch 5 more get away with it or kill someone before they get caught. I know it was on the news here yesterday a guy some time back driving drunk on revoked license for DUI ran into a man and killed him and his young Grand daughter. He did get 22 years for it. Hope he pulls every minute of it. 

[The 19th Hole]

On 11/30/2021 at 12:15 PM, BostonSal said:

I don't drink any alcohol when I play unless the beverage cart girl flirts with me and then I'm pretty much obligated to buy something.

They can play old men as if we were harmonicas.

 

In the clubhouse, I'll have a drink or two but never more than that because I'm driving home.

I miraculously got away with too much incredibly stupid behavior as a youngster

so that my place now is to be thankful and not tempt fate.

 

Growing up playing golf with my Father I always cringed when he and his buddies would flirt with the cart girl such that now I almost never go up to the cart when it drives by. Just an instinctual wave that I'm I don't need anything...Plus, I have a wife at home to flirt with....

I will typically grab a beer in the bar after the round if my playing partners are hanging around. Like previously said I am a bit picky on the whiskey/cocktails selection at most golf courses. 

 

 

[BostonSal]

On 12/1/2021 at 3:15 AM, BIG STU said:

Believe it or not my home course does not have a beverage cart--- The owners say that beverage carts and cart girls are a PITA--- Now their beer and drink prices are reasonable and they will give you free ice and a nice bag for free to take on the course.

And I do not really drink anymore but would not drink and drive anyhow--- My days of being a volunteer fireman and a wrecker driver seeing too many innocent lives ruined has made a mark in my mind--- Never did drink and drive when I drank but had enough stupid behavior with motor vehicles as in drag racing and such that I was lucky I did not kill myself or innocent other people. Yep I am thankful and do not tempt fate--- What appaled me when I got in the wrecker business here was the number of DUI arrests made here on a daily basis. Not only tourists but locals too. Like I told one of the Cops it just amazes me they have bill boards posted messages on TV and radio and Still people do it. That officer also told me another amazing fact for this area for everyone they catch 5 more get away with it or kill someone before they get caught. I know it was on the news here yesterday a guy some time back driving drunk on revoked license for DUI ran into a man and killed him and his young Grand daughter. He did get 22 years for it. Hope he pulls every minute of it. 

Sentences in the Palmetto State seem to be a bit topugher than they are here, but some jail time is certainly appropriate, regardless.

[bens197]

Lots of good points here.  

One thing to remember is golf courses thrive on people spending money on everything besides golf.  

Carts, Food, Drinks and gear.  

Having worked on golf courses for 12 years one thing I can say is certain, people are always looking for a way to get something for free and they come in all shapes, sizes and tax brackets...

[dlow206]

I don't drink at all (at least not for the last 13 years).

For whatever reason, the guys i play with (regulars and randoms) at my club drink like one beer max on the course, and most don't drink at all during a round. On Sundays, there is no beverage cart either. On all other days, I rarely see the beverage cart driving around, and half the time its some dude driving the cart.