The ingenious ways Australian golf clubs deal with Christmas-Day freeloaders.
My family knows I’m not the most Christmas-y person in the world. When there’s a push to put up the Christmas tree in October (yes, that has happened), I politely ask for the enthusiasm to be restrained until December – or at least until after my wife’s birthday in mid-November.
I love the idea of Christmas, just not the ever-increasing portion of the calendar it seems to consume. Forget what television advertising would have you believe; one month of festivities is plenty.
Like most golfers, the best part about Christmas in Australia for me is the timing. Long, warm days usually coupled with time off work make it an ideal opportunity to squeeze in extra golf. Just not on December 25.
Yet it’s often occurred to me that Christmas Day is the perfect time to play – the course is quiet, and play may even be free if no one’s collecting green fees. Not exactly above board, but it happens.
It’s far from a new concept, and golf clubs know it. Those without high fences, locked gates or other security measures realise their prized asset is exposed on the one day of the year when staff numbers are low or non-existent.
It turns out there are numerous ways Australian golf clubs handle the seventh-last day of each year. Several told us they remove all the flags, but if that’s your only ‘deterrent’, I doubt that would stop many golfers. Sometimes it’s fun to hit to a green with no clue where the hole is.
The presence of gates and fences was a central theme in the replies we received.
“We have CCTV and gates, and we are closed on Christmas Day,” came the to-the-point riposte from a top private club.
“We are fully fenced,” said one Sydney course. “If someone jumps the fence, we cannot do much about it. Prying neighbours will normally contact someone at the club should unauthorised players [appear].”
“We don’t have any ingenious way of stopping golfer access on Christmas Day, but our main security gate stops the vast majority of non-members,” wrote the general manager of a top-20 club, while alluding to an extra layer of vigilance. “The course superintendent lives on-course and goes for a drive a couple of times during the day if he is about.”
A Newcastle-area club adopts a similar system: “One greenkeeper attends on a rotating basis for approximately two hours to confirm that the irrigation system has operated overnight and to ensure that no one is on the course.”
Conversely, plenty of clubs simply accept that it’s just part and parcel of being staff-less on the day.
“We don’t really stop them as we have accommodation here now and our gate is open,” came the reply from a Victorian course. “I feel good luck to them if they want to play!”
“While we publicise the course and clubhouse are closed and don’t have a timesheet for bookings, we turn a blind eye to those who play on the day to embrace the Christmas spirit,” added one Perth club.
Another recurring approach is to roster a willing staff member or two to watch the first tee, collect green fees and let them keep a percentage for their efforts. At some clubs, that can amount to several hundred dollars.
Taking that idea a step further is this heartening tale from the general manager of another Sydney club:
“My first two years… my two family Christmases were Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, and as such I had Christmas Day free. I had been advised by members that a ‘Christmas Cup’ event was being held by non-members sneaking through the three vacant blocks next to one hole; I thought it was probably exaggerated.
“I agreed with the club’s board that I would come in and monitor, charging green fees for those wanting to play, with half to go to the club and half to a charity of my choice (Lifeline).
“The first year, 2020, there was approximately 70-80 players and we collected about $5,000 in green fees (not charging guests if they were with club members). So the next year I opened the pro shop and hired carts and sold drinks. The response I got was, ‘But we didn’t pay last year.’ Despite their surprise, only one group in two years went home without paying/playing.
“After that I started having Christmas on Christmas Day, and the club developed the vacant blocks and closed access, but I was able to contribute more than $5,000 for the club and $5,000 for Lifeline across those two years.”
Christmas spirit, indeed.
TOP 5 WAYS TO INJECT GOLF INTO CHRISTMAS
5. Hide a golf ball inside the Christmas pudding.
4. Conduct a mid-afternoon chipping contest in the backyard (and the winner is exempt from kitchen duties).
3. Implement a ban on any sub-$50 golf trinkets as gifts.
2. Decorate your house not with tinsel but with golf paraphernalia.
1. Watch highlights from the 2013 Masters on Christmas Eve.
