Mardyke Valley Golf Club — Local services in England

Earlier this week, my son and his friend played 18 holes. Before they set out, I specifically asked about what he was wearing — black Nike shorts — and was told this was acceptable. Based on this, they enjoyed their game without issue.

Today, however, when he returned wearing grey Nike bottoms, he was turned away. He came home, changed into the same black Nike shorts he had worn earlier in the week, and yet was still refused entry. When I called to query this, I was told that he had simply “got lucky” last time.

With respect, if your course prides itself on its dress code, then it is only fair that a clear and consistent standard is communicated and upheld. It should not come down to being “lucky.” If guidance had been properly given from the outset, my son would not have been turned away twice.

What is frustrating is that even after this was explained to the manager by another parent, my son was still not permitted to play. From my perspective, this suggests inconsistency in how your rules are applied, and creates the impression that they are enforced selectively.

My son and his friend could have gone to another local course — we live close to Cranham, for example — but they chose Mardyke because of the positive experience earlier in the week. Unfortunately, that has now been undermined.

Seems as though the staff at Mardyke have quite the reputation for not being helpful as does the manager.

REPLYING

Thank you for your reply. However, let me be very clear: the tee time had nothing to do with why my son was turned away — it was entirely about the dress code.

Earlier in the week, I phoned to check what he was wearing would be acceptable, and was told it was fine. He played 18 holes without issue. Today, wearing the same clothing, he was refused. That is inconsistency, regardless of what is written on your signs.

What I do not appreciate is the fact that you were happy to take his money when it suited you, yet later claimed he had only been “lucky.” Standards should not change depending on who is on duty or how busy the course is. If rules are to be upheld, they should be applied consistently to everyone, not selectively.

Unfortunately, not many can have the same opinion and all be wrong. The bad review wouldn’t have been left had you not been selective in what can be worn when and as it suites you as a club.

With all due respect, you didn’t think he was ever returning did you? We will stick to those that don’t bend the rules when it’s suites them.

Lastly despite your accusations and assumptions it wasn’t my child that swore.

But ask yourself was he wrong...

Booked a round on golf now without a problem Drove 20 miles to be told by the smug guy behind the counter that I can’t play unless I carry. Told him it’s a pull trolly/not a carry bag and can’t because I have an issue but wasn’t interested what do ever!. Then told me to go away and deal with golf now. Never had such poor service from an alleged golf pro. Looks like I will have to fight for my money back!.

After sending countless emails without response asking for a refund I am finally told 8 days later no refunds are given.

*** response received

Mr Dee,

We have not refused a refund, we have simply stated the way to peruse it, as you had used a third party to book the tee time, that is your point of call. The terms and conditions are attached to your booking confirmation, so no need to look for it on our website. Your review states that you booked a tee time, not stating that you booked it via golf now and refusal of refund you stated we did so, as I state not for us to do as you've booked it via a third party. This therefore unfounded and untrue on two counts. As for getting into the character, insulting and questioning the qualification of or pro in your review is just plain rude and borders on bullying.

We are looking at an amicable way to resolve this dispute, however you do not seem to like the only solution we can offer. Let give you an example of what your dispute equated to, if you buy an apple product on amazon and don't receive it, then you deal with amazon for a replacement or refund, you don't ask apple for a refund. You asking us for the refund when using a booking engine is exactly the same thing.

We stand by our terms and conditions and I have posted these as reply to both your reviews, and have responded in true and honest manner, your dispute is in fact with Golf Now not...

Worst experience I have had in two seasons as a beginner golfer.. Not organized, pretty poor management, no one was logging tee off times..Only one elderly person in the office, taking money from walk in's, internet bookings, getting the buggies out of the garage, and being the marshal...

How it starts, We were playing 4 and on the 9th hole we were told we are playing too slow. we had 2 buggies between us. we picked up our balls up if we were 2 over par. And a few of us had pars... pretty good going, we were not wasting time.

That's when the marshal, came up to us and said he was getting complaints about how slow we were...

We tee'd off the 10th but pick our balls up to give a gap between us and the back log behind.. On the 11th I was on the green in 2 shots.... then the Marshal came over again and said we were too slow...

We did speak to the guys behind us, on the 9th as one of them hit his ball onto our fairway and he said he started at 12:30 and we need to pick it up... or let him go through... (he couldn't keep his ball on he own fairway!!)

Also strange as we only tee'd of at 13:15... had the guy been to the pub??

Sorry, back to 11th tee: NOT once did the marshal ask us our tee off time! NOT once did he realize that we spoke to him 20 minutes ago. He didn't care, he was under so much pressure for all directions.. and we were in the firing line..

If you want to enjoy 18 holes DON'T GO HERE... we did book through the internet and can only guess that they had massively overbooked the time slots.. and that there was nobody to monitor the tee off times..

So basically we left on the 11th hole, never NEVER to return.. glad we only lost £10 each and £17.50 for each...