No shows and non returns

I'd argue that no show is far worse and should be punished accordingly. You can be left stranded without a partner, ruining others day. Obviously in case of emergencies, it can happen but that's generally not the reason.

I think something like this is going to be very dependent on the individual club's circumstances tbh. Like, if they've got full timesheets, waiting lists etc etc. I don't take quite as hardline a view as some with regard to no shows, although I would differentiate if you're on a line with 3 strangers versus on a line with your regulars. Maybe I'm lucky/unlucky that my club doesn't have a full timesheet and there's always plenty of space. I know in my own regular fourball we have an almost unspoken understanding along the lines of "...I'll see you up there, weather permitting...." We play early and the first 4/5 slots are all guys who will mix and match to ensure nobody misses out or is left on their own. Like I say we've little timesheet pressure anyway, the sheet will be probably empty by midday on a Saturday. Putting down a blocking name would be bad form alright. But is it a blocking name if its someone who's 50/50 as to whether they'll be able to play ?

TBH the very idea of not going up purely because I'm not on the sheet just doesn't register with me, can't get my head round it. You'd virtually always get out in our place or it would be more than unusual not to, unless it was a big comp or something. I totally get that that's the way it is in many clubs - I only had the conversation with my boss a few weeks ago, asking him did he play one Wednesday evening and he said no he wasn't on the sheet, I couldn't process that at all ! I guess its both a strength and a weakness of my club that bar weekends you don't need to book if you want a game on a summer evening or that there's usually plenty of spots at the weekend.

I'd be far harsher on NR's, but probably much less so than under CONGU. I absolutely think all cards should be returned no matter what, but I wouldn't be worried about the guy who loses a ball and doesn't bother going back and NRs - as long as he returns his card. I also think coming in early is ok. I know there are some souls who'll carry on no matter what the weather, but honestly there have been so many times even in the last couple of months where we played but by the time you get back near the clubhouse after say 6 or 9 holes, you're soaked, your gear is soaked and you just say "F--- that" and come in. Usually to find half the field have done the same. When conditions get bad in this country I can guarantee nobody is out at the farthest end of the course thinking "I can't go in, weather is not an acceptable reason...."

We have a pair of twin brothers that are members in our place who were up to that, booking names onto their line and then saying they were last minute cancels/no shows just so they could play on their own.

They were caught for it, and had guest rate green fees taken off their purse, which would be more expensive than a members comp fee.

They learned that lesson very swiftly

It does come off your purse, but is at the discretion of the pro when you're checking in as to whether he removes the charge

Why not at the time of booking, surely that makes more sense ??

Why not take the guest fee from the members purse at the time they book the guest in.

Sorry I was talking about the comment about members booking guests in a slot so that another member wouldn’t join them and then having no guests play in the end.

But I do get your point about members walking in early, it’s quite frustrating. I have been guilty of it in the past but I’ve never left someone on their own.

So you can’t spend that money once booked ? Seems very odd.