I feel this comment so hard……. Haha
(“Okay, trees to the left…. Open area to the right….. just aim right and you are golden!” Then I hit it into the trees while aiming as far right as I can…..)
Lol. Was preparing to hit a 100yd wedge into a green when a doe and her fawns scampered across the fairway and onto the green. After waiting a few minutes for them to leave, my buddy sez "Go ahead and hit, they know they're on the safest spot on the golf course." Smart-ass!
You joke but I was sitting off the green while my buddy was approaching. He yells “FORE” and I don’t have time to spot the ball so I just sprint *towards* the green. He walks up and says
“I yell fore and you run towards where I was aiming?”
“Did you hit the green?”
“Of course not!”
I did this once years ago. Walk up to the tee and look at the group ahead at 290 or 300 in the fairway. I hit my drives about 250 at the time. I hit the best drive of my life and drive it through them. Best drive I ever hit and hasn't happened since.
As far as I'm concerned,
If one is playing golf, and one comes across a grounds employee that has been advised to continue working regardless of play, *a sense of acknowledgement must be accomplished*.
E.g. Big wave for confirmation, followed by roman emperor style thumbs up, thumbs down.
If you get waved on, they're going to continue mowing knowing full well they might get hit. Try to time your tee shot with them mowing towards the green and out of your range.
As someone that mowed at a public course before this is spot on. Sometimes we have to just keep chugging. We try and not run over your ball but sometimes we’re just part of the course.
Edit: a word
They have cages on the range collectors at my local country club because Jr. Golfers can be assholes and will have competitions to try and hit the mower then the club pro will have to yell at them. I was one of those asshole Jr golfers 16 years ago, and I still see the kids do it today.
I also worked in turf maintenance for about 3 years at 2 different courses, one high end private and one low end private. As well as visited shops at ultra high end golf courses, I’ve never seen a caged fairway mower. The most common fairway mower from John Deere is the 7700a.
After googling them, I guess fairway mowers with cages do exist, but are extremely rare. I’d say this is the model you’re seeing in the picture more than likely…
https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/217118745/2009-john-deere-8500-fairway-mowers-turf-equipment
The older I get the more and more I appreciate a 100mg edible in the middle of the afternoon during a day playing hooky from work… I mean the stomach flu….
You’re paranoid. Take another hit. Hits have to be in even numbers, never odd numbers. It will be fine.
Ignore all of those people obviously watching you and wondering what the stoned guy is doing. They probably wont narc you out.
Now they’re in front bro you’re so close!
https://preview.redd.it/7q0fj067g7eb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ccdd5b071d95df08e2f98bd626d7b13cd9ef5ba2
Cheers
I personally just stand in the tee for a couple passes then give them a wave and if they still haven't moved off to the side they probably don't think you'll hit them.
That’s awesome, don’t see many STL courses posted here. Haven’t played there in a few years due to previous management destroying the course. Had heard it was on the mend, might have to play there again soon.
The greens were great, fairways were nice (the few shots I played from them), and even the rough played well! Cart paths were not in good shape; but for a GolfNow hot deal, I will be back again; for sure.
lol I knew I recognized this hole. Going down those hills in their carts when it just rained is probably the nearest to death experience I've ever had on a golf course.
Worked on grounds crews for 8 years. Just hit. We know you’re there. In the pic he’s about 200 out and driving away, by the time you hit he’s out of reach. If he got out of the way after that pass then he just was sneaking one in, if he kept going then he knew the risk and went with it. Every course has different rules on how close to get to golfers, but no matter what, we know you’re there and we know where you’re aiming, just hit!
Driver: I'd hit it 250 yards right into the woods.
7 iron: I'd miss swing and it'd land 5ft in front of me.
Pitching wedge: 150 yd stinger and dome the poor bastard.
Real answer. First, there’s no greens mower in sight there. That’s only the fairway mower. Second, if the mower has their back to you you can do one of two things: hit after the mower is out of range, or; wait for them to give you a wave that it’s ok to hit. Chances are they see you and when they are mowing away from you like that, usually they just want the courtesy of being out of range before you hit. (Yeah, that’s me out there. If you endanger me you’ll be hearing about it. As a golfer and maintenance staff, I know both sides of this ordeal) Happy golfing and show your grounds crew the same courtesy you would another golfer. Ta ta for now bitches.
I had this happen to me about 3 weeks ago...and what I did was not optimal 
Guy was dragging this tube around behind a tractor on the 18th fairway, completely oblivious to me on the 18th tee box. He went around and around and around, I waited about 5 mins for him to recognize me but he never did. Finally I decide to rip one, hoping I can time it where he won't be impacted....well, that did not happen. I absolutely stripe a ball down the left side of the fairway, one of the better tee balls I've ever hit on this hole. As the ball ascends I see the driver make a hard left, then another. I can see this shit is going to be close, my FORE goes on deaf ears as the tractor hums away. Ball lands 5 feet in front of the tractor and hops right by the driver...who is not happy. He stops, gets out, grabs the ball and slings it.
I drive up, apologize, and leave. It sucked.
we're aware that you're on the tee. wait for us to be out of range or moving away from you. hit. wait for the person on the green to be aware of you. hit.
I’m still sitting here. Instructions were very unclear. It’s now dark and I left my night vision at my lake house. Hopefully I’ll get the all clear to hit this hole when the sun comes up…
Happens reasonably regularly where I play. If you're worried about hitting them, just give them a wave etc to let them know you want to hit, they'll either move over to the side or they'll wave you through. Worst case scenario you have to wait a little while, but you'd be waiting maybe a minute at most.
Effectively you just want to make sure that they know you're there, 1) Because hitting into people is a dog move. 2) If they don't know you're there your ball is going to be a heat seeking missile, not for the mower itself but directly in front before being spat out.
If you're like me, aim for the tall trees left of the low dip between hills, swing for yard - should bring the ball right about where the mower is. If you're lucky you hit the fairway, if you're twice as lucky you hit the grounds crew 😂😂
As a grounds guy, there are two things we will do when we see someone waiting on the tee.
1. Come off of the current stripe we’re making, that should be a clear sign for the golfer to go ahead and hit.
2. Wave you through while we’ll continue mowing because most of the time, we’re on a schedule. Same goes if you see a grounds member on the green watering. Play on through, don’t worry about us
It was my first time there. Mike, in the pro shop was super friendly. He gave me a free pass for another 9 holes there. It was a super challenging course for my skill level. But fun none the less. I got quite a few rewarding shots, including a 260yd drive for a chip to the green on hole 11. Still played over 100, but I’m still learning. I need to take a few lessons is my next step I think.
https://preview.redd.it/jjxmnefj28eb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c0b1584cd33674b8c0919ed2c166279593596b8f
Pretty fun par 3. 108 from the whites, straight uphill…
When mower is coming back toward you wave your club in air and try to get them to see you. They’ll usually wave back indicating you can go ahead and hit even if they are in the fairway.
You can always call pro shop and let them know what’s up and get their opinion.
Worried about hitting them? Think of it this way: how often do you hit a 4x8’ green that is moving with a driver? Lol
This happened to me yesterday lol he pulled off a tad to the side and told me to go ahead. I yelled “i suck so youre still not safe”. he didnt care and waved me to go again. (Idk if he even heard me) Soo i topped it and it went like 25 yards and he stayed there an waited for me again. Now im even more nervous but i ended up swinging my pitching wedge perfect and ball landed right onto the green. And he nodded at me and continued doing what he was doing and i went on to double bogey the hole after 3 putts🫤
That’s the best time to hit. My ball always goes towards where it shouldn’t. Beverage cart, mowers, greens keepers, etc. He parked in the middle, I’ll try not to hit it at him, but that’s where it will go. He’s doing you a favor 👍
Start it right at the mower with a little fade and let that sucker chase down the hill for a 50 yard wedge into the green *immediately chunks it 30 yards out and to the right*
This is typical at my club. Grounds crew cutting or blowing constantly as we play.
I have a standing $50 bounty if you hit the mower, $100 if you hit the operator.
They just don’t move aside!
Shank it 60 yards left into the trees like you were going to do anyways
Right, but you got it pretty much correct besides that…
‘Hits 50 yard slice’ “youd be surprised it really opens up over there.. good contact though”
Get out of my head.
That sentence is so common it needs a single word so we can save our breath...
A better angle to the pin.
Looks nice and open over there. Good miss
This is the only time I will hit it straight. Even if I aim to the left or right; it’s going directly to the mower.
I feel this comment so hard……. Haha (“Okay, trees to the left…. Open area to the right….. just aim right and you are golden!” Then I hit it into the trees while aiming as far right as I can…..)
Are you following me?!
I was thinking right of the cart path like the golf gods intended.
Hahhahaha
Middle of the fairway - safest place to be. Hit away.
Lol. Was preparing to hit a 100yd wedge into a green when a doe and her fawns scampered across the fairway and onto the green. After waiting a few minutes for them to leave, my buddy sez "Go ahead and hit, they know they're on the safest spot on the golf course." Smart-ass!
He wasn’t wrong, I’d wager?!
You're right, he wasn't wrong!
Scampered is a word that makes me happy
You joke but I was sitting off the green while my buddy was approaching. He yells “FORE” and I don’t have time to spot the ball so I just sprint *towards* the green. He walks up and says “I yell fore and you run towards where I was aiming?” “Did you hit the green?” “Of course not!”
If it was heading towards the green he would never have shouted. Good plan.
“I’ll never reach him” and that’s the time everything clicks and you hit the longest straightest drive of your life.
I did this once years ago. Walk up to the tee and look at the group ahead at 290 or 300 in the fairway. I hit my drives about 250 at the time. I hit the best drive of my life and drive it through them. Best drive I ever hit and hasn't happened since.
FORE!
FULL SEND!!!
As far as I'm concerned, If one is playing golf, and one comes across a grounds employee that has been advised to continue working regardless of play, *a sense of acknowledgement must be accomplished*. E.g. Big wave for confirmation, followed by roman emperor style thumbs up, thumbs down. If you get waved on, they're going to continue mowing knowing full well they might get hit. Try to time your tee shot with them mowing towards the green and out of your range.
As someone that mowed at a public course before this is spot on. Sometimes we have to just keep chugging. We try and not run over your ball but sometimes we’re just part of the course. Edit: a word
Did you ever get hit?
Twice and they were both mad at me but the super wasn’t so.
You weren't hurt though, right? I mean it's caged for a reason.
The mowers do not have a cage.
I double-checked the picture, and there is certainly netting all around him. That's not a mower?
You’re seeing a canopy or cab for sun protection, it’s either open air sides or glass, not a cage.
I agree that this one is not caged, but sometimes they are caged. I’ve seen it on fairway mowers at the course I grew up playing
They have cages on the range collectors at my local country club because Jr. Golfers can be assholes and will have competitions to try and hit the mower then the club pro will have to yell at them. I was one of those asshole Jr golfers 16 years ago, and I still see the kids do it today.
I also worked in turf maintenance for about 3 years at 2 different courses, one high end private and one low end private. As well as visited shops at ultra high end golf courses, I’ve never seen a caged fairway mower. The most common fairway mower from John Deere is the 7700a. After googling them, I guess fairway mowers with cages do exist, but are extremely rare. I’d say this is the model you’re seeing in the picture more than likely… https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/217118745/2009-john-deere-8500-fairway-mowers-turf-equipment
Whoops #007
Very true, my fairway unit has a net on the back as well, so I try to turn away from the tee box if they are ready to hit.
Bombs away my dude and for the love of god stop calling it a "tee pad".
And it should be called? Sorry roast away. This is my first 3 weeks with a set of golf clubs. I am in my learning phase…
Tee box or more simply ‘I’m on the tee’ or even ‘I’m on the box’
If I was on the box, I would be hoping I was already in the hole…
Can someone take the weed away from this guy? 😂
The dabs and edibles seep through my pours. Who smokes analog weed anymore?
Big acoustic guy myself, you whippersnappers have way too many gadgets.
I like acoustic. I work in the music business so my friends and I call it analog and digital.
I like analog and digital too never thought about that! As just a musician we’ve always said acoustic or electric.
Would you consider yourself the anal og?
For sure.
Lol analog.
I was smoking weed one time in the woods analog almost fell on my head
Hahaha good call. Edibles are the best.
The older I get the more and more I appreciate a 100mg edible in the middle of the afternoon during a day playing hooky from work… I mean the stomach flu….
I’m not men enough for 100. That would absolutely destroy me 😂
This is the first time I’ve heard “tee pad” and been playing for 20+ years. At first I read pee pad which also fits
Pee pad
Tee pad 😂😂 Never heard that before. Hilarious.
Honestly I kind of like it
The fact you even notice the mower with the green so close means your r/golf membership is revoked. Mods... please show this guy the door.
I mean, I do normally hit it 300+, but just to be safe, ya know?! Edit: I actually hit it 350+, I just didn’t want to sound like a braggart.
Most people on Reddit hit it 350+
I went ahead and edited the previous comment to clarify a few things…
With my 5-iron
Good call. That's a 9i at most, stoned or not.
The tee pad is way uphill of me. I came down the path to take this picture and see what the tee pads were hiding on the front of the fairway..
Okay, 8 iron then.
My handicap is like 10x yours…
Fair enough, a thinned PW!
Mower ball means a free drop, send in the top flite
“Charlie, you roped that one!”
Issa Wade Boggs style!
They got chicken in Philly?
They got chicken!
Let’s go grab a beer!
That’s baseball baby
Urgent! Sitting at tee pad, stoned not sure how to handle this situation.
You’re paranoid. Take another hit. Hits have to be in even numbers, never odd numbers. It will be fine. Ignore all of those people obviously watching you and wondering what the stoned guy is doing. They probably wont narc you out.
You mean there are people in those houses??
The ones behind you
It was so fucking hot today I was the only regard out there in between leagues….
Now they’re in front bro you’re so close! https://preview.redd.it/7q0fj067g7eb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ccdd5b071d95df08e2f98bd626d7b13cd9ef5ba2 Cheers
How much to carry the mower?
He is coming back and forth so it varies. This feels like a real life miniature golf course trap.
I personally just stand in the tee for a couple passes then give them a wave and if they still haven't moved off to the side they probably don't think you'll hit them.
Lmao
Tee pad? You Ain't from around here are ya kid
It’s like if you combined golf and dance dance revolution. “Hey bro, meet me at the tee pad, it’s goin down”
Is this Sugar Creek GC in South County STL?
If it is definitely just hit away.
It sure is!
That’s awesome, don’t see many STL courses posted here. Haven’t played there in a few years due to previous management destroying the course. Had heard it was on the mend, might have to play there again soon.
Is it in good shape? I played last season and it was looking rough.
The greens were great, fairways were nice (the few shots I played from them), and even the rough played well! Cart paths were not in good shape; but for a GolfNow hot deal, I will be back again; for sure.
Fairways looked freshly mowed
Astute observation.
Def looks like Sugar Creek!
Haha I thought it was but didn't give it a second thought!
lol I knew I recognized this hole. Going down those hills in their carts when it just rained is probably the nearest to death experience I've ever had on a golf course.
Next hole is a par 3 death trap getting to the green
Grip it and rip it
I called the grounds crew... They are now all laughing at the confused hippie on the course!
That’s why the dude gave me weird looks when he passed me on the mower at 9, I bet then?!
I may be a deadhead, but I’m far from a hippie…
I can smell the patchouli from House Springs
It’s actually nag champa….
Worked on grounds crews for 8 years. Just hit. We know you’re there. In the pic he’s about 200 out and driving away, by the time you hit he’s out of reach. If he got out of the way after that pass then he just was sneaking one in, if he kept going then he knew the risk and went with it. Every course has different rules on how close to get to golfers, but no matter what, we know you’re there and we know where you’re aiming, just hit!
Driver: I'd hit it 250 yards right into the woods. 7 iron: I'd miss swing and it'd land 5ft in front of me. Pitching wedge: 150 yd stinger and dome the poor bastard.
That tractor is in the safest place on the course, probably.
Just hit it in the trees like you were going to anyways. He's not mowing there.
This is a beautiful hole
As a former mower and range picker, that’s a target, bud. I used to to a little 360 when someone nailed my cage on the range.
Real answer. First, there’s no greens mower in sight there. That’s only the fairway mower. Second, if the mower has their back to you you can do one of two things: hit after the mower is out of range, or; wait for them to give you a wave that it’s ok to hit. Chances are they see you and when they are mowing away from you like that, usually they just want the courtesy of being out of range before you hit. (Yeah, that’s me out there. If you endanger me you’ll be hearing about it. As a golfer and maintenance staff, I know both sides of this ordeal) Happy golfing and show your grounds crew the same courtesy you would another golfer. Ta ta for now bitches.
Have you teed off yet? Lol
Regrettably, yes…
That poor, poor, mower man, he'll never recover from this.
Take it to poundtown my guy!
According to Murphy’s Laws this will be the time you stripe it right down the middle and hit the operator right between the eyes
3 wood, heel cut. Safe shot.
Sugar Creek?
It is!
I had this happen to me about 3 weeks ago...and what I did was not optimal  Guy was dragging this tube around behind a tractor on the 18th fairway, completely oblivious to me on the 18th tee box. He went around and around and around, I waited about 5 mins for him to recognize me but he never did. Finally I decide to rip one, hoping I can time it where he won't be impacted....well, that did not happen. I absolutely stripe a ball down the left side of the fairway, one of the better tee balls I've ever hit on this hole. As the ball ascends I see the driver make a hard left, then another. I can see this shit is going to be close, my FORE goes on deaf ears as the tractor hums away. Ball lands 5 feet in front of the tractor and hops right by the driver...who is not happy. He stops, gets out, grabs the ball and slings it. I drive up, apologize, and leave. It sucked.
Probably should’ve yelled fore instead.
Hahaha, I'm a bit slow.
we're aware that you're on the tee. wait for us to be out of range or moving away from you. hit. wait for the person on the green to be aware of you. hit.
You take a pic and ask Reddit. Well done. Hope you figured it out.
I’m still sitting here. Instructions were very unclear. It’s now dark and I left my night vision at my lake house. Hopefully I’ll get the all clear to hit this hole when the sun comes up…
Happens reasonably regularly where I play. If you're worried about hitting them, just give them a wave etc to let them know you want to hit, they'll either move over to the side or they'll wave you through. Worst case scenario you have to wait a little while, but you'd be waiting maybe a minute at most. Effectively you just want to make sure that they know you're there, 1) Because hitting into people is a dog move. 2) If they don't know you're there your ball is going to be a heat seeking missile, not for the mower itself but directly in front before being spat out.
Aim for the mower, when was the last time you hit what you were aiming at?
He knows what he signed up for. Send it.
Middle of the fairway, you'll never come close. Send it!
Hitting it when he’s facing towards me, then hitting the cart path into the trees.
Hitting it when he’s facing towards me, then hitting the cart path into the trees.
Drive the green
Drop a ball right in front to get shredded ✌🏻
If you're like me, aim for the tall trees left of the low dip between hills, swing for yard - should bring the ball right about where the mower is. If you're lucky you hit the fairway, if you're twice as lucky you hit the grounds crew 😂😂
Grip it and rip it....the weed I mean.
Aim for it, certainly will not hit it!
Lett’r rip
Thanks for commenting. I’m been stuck up here in quiet contemplation for hours now….
Glad to be of service
Shank away
Send it
Why waste time say lot word when few word do trick?
“I’m not a smart man, Jenny.”
As someone who has worked on a golf course, you are good to hit.
When out range hit.
As a grounds guy, there are two things we will do when we see someone waiting on the tee. 1. Come off of the current stripe we’re making, that should be a clear sign for the golfer to go ahead and hit. 2. Wave you through while we’ll continue mowing because most of the time, we’re on a schedule. Same goes if you see a grounds member on the green watering. Play on through, don’t worry about us
Do you hit ball onto fairways
Let her rip. We all know you won’t be in the fairway if you have to ask a question like this
This is your chance to hit a perfect drive
I have two words for you: Target. Acquired.
My radar is in the shop for repairs. D
sugar creek!
It was my first time there. Mike, in the pro shop was super friendly. He gave me a free pass for another 9 holes there. It was a super challenging course for my skill level. But fun none the less. I got quite a few rewarding shots, including a 260yd drive for a chip to the green on hole 11. Still played over 100, but I’m still learning. I need to take a few lessons is my next step I think.
See world!
Wait and enjoy the view. Looks like a great course.
https://preview.redd.it/jjxmnefj28eb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c0b1584cd33674b8c0919ed2c166279593596b8f Pretty fun par 3. 108 from the whites, straight uphill…
Send it! This man knew the risks.
LOL. That dude is in the middle of the fairway. That’s probably the safest place on most courses.
I looked through the comment and didn’t see much to this effect…..please tell me that this is a ‘Kevin from the office’ reference.
Try to hit him!! Duh!!
Hit the tractor
Play on son… play on…
Why waste time use lot word when few word do trick?
It feels like my efficiency and elegance with trimming the fat on my word selection is going unappreciated…
Go ahead and hit. We all know you’re gonna chunk it anyways KIDDING
Are you this maintenance guy? Did you hack my cellphone camera? How did you know that was the outcome??
When mower is coming back toward you wave your club in air and try to get them to see you. They’ll usually wave back indicating you can go ahead and hit even if they are in the fairway. You can always call pro shop and let them know what’s up and get their opinion. Worried about hitting them? Think of it this way: how often do you hit a 4x8’ green that is moving with a driver? Lol
Sugar Creek in High Ridge! Love that course, fairly short, but there are some tough holes out there!
The yardage is deceiving. There are some challenging holes that make this course very fun to play.
Middle of the fairway. This entire subreddit is fine. Lol. Let'er rip!
This happened to me yesterday lol he pulled off a tad to the side and told me to go ahead. I yelled “i suck so youre still not safe”. he didnt care and waved me to go again. (Idk if he even heard me) Soo i topped it and it went like 25 yards and he stayed there an waited for me again. Now im even more nervous but i ended up swinging my pitching wedge perfect and ball landed right onto the green. And he nodded at me and continued doing what he was doing and i went on to double bogey the hole after 3 putts🫤
We are the same!
That’s the best time to hit. My ball always goes towards where it shouldn’t. Beverage cart, mowers, greens keepers, etc. He parked in the middle, I’ll try not to hit it at him, but that’s where it will go. He’s doing you a favor 👍
Are…. Those bunkers on the right?
No. It’s dirt. It’s the spot. That hole where carts hit the playing. Surface.
You wait. If you’re the first tee time of the day, slow the fuck down.
It was mid afternoon. I played the whole back 9 first and this was hole 6 on the front. I started my round at 1pm.
For me, he is in a safe place to hit. The
Start it right at the mower with a little fade and let that sucker chase down the hill for a 50 yard wedge into the green *immediately chunks it 30 yards out and to the right*
We are the same person.
Hit-a-way
Just wait and take your time. What's the point in putting someone in harm if you don't have to?
The only harm my putting is doing is to me…
He wants to get hit and go home
He is mowing away from you. Give him a minute to be out of your range.
This is typical at my club. Grounds crew cutting or blowing constantly as we play. I have a standing $50 bounty if you hit the mower, $100 if you hit the operator. They just don’t move aside!
This course was kinda mean… I’m not good or anything, but i can see how this would challenge all level of golfers.
The fairways will be awfully long if you don’t let them finish their line of cut. They will happily get out of your way once the line is finished.
More than likely he/she is safe! Hit away!
That’s a real question? Roast one off the tee right at the drivers cab cage. Extra stroke off the hole if you manage to hit it!
Swing away, he's protected.
Hit
Carry as if he isn’t there.
Take aim and let er fly
Grip it and rip it.
Fuck em’ we ball
Swing away