95 replies to this topic

[Graymulligan]

Greetings fellow golf nuts.  I'm confused on something, and I'm wondering whether anyone can offer me some insight.  Whenever people who love golf get together, I think we can all agree that its typically a lot of fun, lots of joking, shooting the breeze about equipment, golfers, courses, etc.  I know some of my favorite times have been on the golf course, and some of my favorite random people that I've met have been other golfers.  So assuming that everyone sort of feels the same way there...I have but a single question.  

Why is everyone here so angry and nasty to each other on a regular basis?  

In navigating the various sub-forums, I've seen people jump on other members for asking stupid questions (which weren't stupid), launch into tirades about why someone was an idiot for liking a specific brand of equipment, and just generally be a whole bunch of really nasty jerks.  

Is it bak syndrome?  (behind a keyboard) Is it just a bunch of internet tough guys mouthing off?  

Or are the people here just generally not very likable folks?

[FLOGMR]

It's really simple........

[ronstars]

You must understand that it is a forum, and a major one at that. In any forum there are going to be people that just surf the topics looking for somthing they can hate on or throw in someones face, just the way it is sadly. However, I think the more time you spend on here and ignore the haters, you'll find there are a ton of really great people on this site that truely love the game and love sharing that passion with others.

[SnapFade2]

There r alot of great people here. Dont worry about the haters.

[Pepperturbo]

Graymulligan, on 09 January 2013 - 12:53 PM, said:

Greetings fellow golf nuts.  I'm confused on something, and I'm wondering whether anyone can offer me some insight.  Whenever people who love golf get together, I think we can all agree that its typically a lot of fun, lots of joking, shooting the breeze about equipment, golfers, courses, etc.  I know some of my favorite times have been on the golf course, and some of my favorite random people that I've met have been other golfers.  So assuming that everyone sort of feels the same way there...I have but a single question.  

Why is everyone here so angry and nasty to each other on a regular basis?  

In navigating the various sub-forums, I've seen people jump on other members for asking stupid questions (which weren't stupid), launch into tirades about why someone was an idiot for liking a specific brand of equipment, and just generally be a whole bunch of really nasty jerks.  

Is it bak syndrome?  (behind a keyboard) Is it just a bunch of internet tough guys mouthing off?  

Or are the people here just generally not very likable folks?

This board, like others, has it's fair share of disagreeable people, that attack if they don't agree with what's said.  Its all they know socially...  There's also a segment of people that overlook the 2D nature of the internet and stereotype, based on their predisposition, that probably aren't very likeable in life.  And, sometimes you have to write off what happens on the internet as staying on the internet.  But, by and large, this site is informative and there are plenty of civil good people, it just takes time to see them from the rest.

Edited by Pepperturbo, 09 January 2013 - 01:38 PM.

[Mschumacher]

Its always the bad things that you remember the most.

[sheppy335]

Don't let the haters win, ignore them and enjoy the good people that are here.

[highergr0und]

It's not so bad as long as you stay away from any topic about camerons, TM, Callaway, Hogan, stack and tilt, or anything where there are fans and detractors....

Seriously, it gets worse every winter because the guys who are snowed in look for an outlet.  People just get mean when the days get short and cold.  Usually gets better once the spring hits.

I really do avoid a lot of those threads I mentioned above.  People can be a bit crazy and like to take opinions to the extreme.

Edited by highergr0und, 09 January 2013 - 01:47 PM.

[SheriffBooth]

Graymulligan, on 09 January 2013 - 12:53 PM, said:

Why is everyone here so angry and nasty to each other on a regular basis?  

In navigating the various sub-forums, I've seen people jump on other members for asking stupid questions (which weren't stupid), launch into tirades about why someone was an idiot for liking a specific brand of equipment, and just generally be a whole bunch of really nasty jerks.  

Please hit the Report button when you see posts like that.  The Marshals can't review every post that hits the forums, and member reporting is critical for weeding out the nincompoops and their nincompoop posts.

[jaskanski]

There is no way to legislate how someone will react to written communication if it doesn't contain any other obvious form of expression. Some people are simply bereft of a sense of humour (or humor), cannot detect sarcasm, or simply just don't know the difference between a joking and a serious tone.
Someone takes offence, the other party takes exception back - and the next thing you see is an escalation of (perceived) bad intentions.
I wouldn't feel too bad about it, because it is human nature to be cautious or wary of strangers and a cold exchange is sometimes inevitable. Once you get to know people (and their style of delivery) it soon becomes apparent that they are truly harmless and mean well. Occasionally, you will get the odd person with nothing but malicious intent, but these are thankfully in the minority and quickly lose interest.
If I could advise anyone on a particular aspect, it would be: LIGHTEN UP! Don't take it too seriously or verbatim. Accept people have a different way of interpreting reason. Acknowledge the cultural differences between different countries - what you may find offensive may not to someone else as part of their upbringing. Learn the art of self-deprecation and don't take offence if someone questions your background, your intelligence or level of education.
OK dummy?

[MarkFromTheUK]

I can't say I have seen anyone THAT unpleasant on here. Sure you get a few pedants who seemingly surf the internet 24/7 for even the slightest errors in search of their 2 seconds of satisfaction, and you get pathetic people who take it as a personal insult if you slate Nike or TM (roll eyes smiley would be placed here if I could find it)... but in the main everyone seems to get on fine.

Shy away from threads with names such as "The Open or British Open?" and "Ryder Cup" and stick to the threads that don't instil a sense of jingoistic fervour, and your opinion will improve drastically.

[Puppetmaster]

Pretty standard for a large forum community, if you ask me. The larger it is, the more polarized and extreme the opinions usually. Just use the Ignore List option for the users whose attitude you tend to dislike, don't take offense to any of the e-catfighting, and you will get along just fine.

[Puppetmaster]

And this is actually pretty good reading for most newcomers to the site: http://www.golfwrx.c...e-hate-crusade/

[Thrillhouse]

If you use the comment section on YouTube as a measuring stick were actually doing really well over here.

[Puppetmaster]

Thrillhouse, on 09 January 2013 - 02:01 PM, said:

If you use the comment section on YouTube as a measuring stick were actually doing really well over here.

LOL.

Or the comment section of any mainstream media or sports site, for that matter.

[SnapFade2]

SheriffBooth, on 09 January 2013 - 01:48 PM, said:

Graymulligan, on 09 January 2013 - 12:53 PM, said:

Why is everyone here so angry and nasty to each other on a regular basis?  

In navigating the various sub-forums, I've seen people jump on other members for asking stupid questions (which weren't stupid), launch into tirades about why someone was an idiot for liking a specific brand of equipment, and just generally be a whole bunch of really nasty jerks.  

Please hit the Report button when you see posts like that.  The Marshals can't review every post that hits the forums, and member reporting is critical for weeding out the nincompoops and their nincompoop posts.

I dont like that to much, becasue u can get banned for voicing ur opion on something u dont like. It has happened to me becuase i hate luke donald.

[MarkFromTheUK]

Puppetmaster, on 09 January 2013 - 02:02 PM, said:

Thrillhouse, on 09 January 2013 - 02:01 PM, said:

If you use the comment section on YouTube as a measuring stick were actually doing really well over here.

LOL.

Or the comment section of any mainstream media or sports site, for that matter.

SO true.

The worst by far that I have seen is the Eurosport news iphone/pad app. I honestly think it's some sort of social experiment to round up the lowest forms of life.

The pgatour.com tour report isn't much better.

[fore]

It's definitely an internet thing. If the few rude dudes here acted on the course like they do here, they would always play alone.

[teeitlow]

For the most part it's a pretty likable group of golfers, but sometimes posting prior to thinking happens...I'm guilty of that...it happens.
I don't get worked up "too" much with the really nasty stuff...
Just picture the poster as a sweaty/smelly, disheveled adolescent in an unused closet, at the far corner of mama's basement slamming away at the keyboard between gulps of mountain dew and hot pockets.
It works trust me.
I had a member pm me once just to tell me  "He f'ing hated me"...Can't imagine the delight he was getting sending it to me, but I found it humorous trying to picturing it.
(not sure if it was this forum or another)
Still the best golf site on the 'net by far.
-D

[Aces-6]

It didn't use to be like that around here. It seems like the last few years it has become a shark tank though. I've noticed that I'm spending less time here than I used to. It's still the #1 golf forum on the web so I guess we just need to learn to take the bitter with the sweet.

[cardoustie]

A couple of years ago I posted the same thing.  So much animosity, what's the deal?/

But, after while you learn to ignore the angry chaps and talk with the nice and knowledgable ones

General rule, unless you are as sharp on swing nuances as Slice F or B Harmon, stay away from deep level Hogan "discussions", it is a stomping ground

[jwrogers]

Thrillhouse, on 09 January 2013 - 02:01 PM, said:

If you use the comment section on YouTube as a measuring stick were actually doing really well over here.

If you use the comment section on YouTube as a measuring stick they are actually doing really well in the Middle East.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

Puppetmaster, on 09 January 2013 - 01:56 PM, said:

Pretty standard for a large forum community, if you ask me. The larger it is, the more polarized and extreme the opinions usually. Just use the Ignore List option for the users whose attitude you tend to dislike, don't take offense to any of the e-catfighting, and you will get along just fine.

Or pop into the Maryland/VA/DC Golfers thread.  We're nice to each other over there, except for when we intentionally want to bust someone's chops...in a good natured way.

[nochrome]

Having been a member here for quite a bit, I can say that this forum, just like life in general, contains many, shall we say-interesting- personalities. As such, if you tend to treat others with dignity and respect, you tend to get the same in return, I just consider the rest free entertainment! Welcome to the forum and I look forward to your positive contributions to making it better, the fact that you are aware of negativity and chose to question same in a reasonable manner shows great promise for your experience here.

[Willie Malay]

It's WRX. If you don't own at least one Ping club, be ready to be criticized...

[Shiram]

# of fights or altercations I've seen on a golf course in real life - 0
# of fights or altercations I've read about on GolfWRX - um a lot...

Either some of the users here are just that nasty or they just like to make up confrontations. Your guess is as good as mine.

That said, it's usually just a few hot heads - 99% of the posts are more positive.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

Shiram, on 09 January 2013 - 03:51 PM, said:

# of fights or altercations I've seen on a golf course in real life - 0
# of fights or altercations I've read about on GolfWRX - um a lot...

Either some of the users here are just that nasty or they just like to make up confrontations. Your guess is as good as mine.

That said, it's usually just a few hot heads - 99% of the posts are more positive.

LOL!! That is so true, I had never thought of that point before, but the fighting example you gave is spot on.

[Thrillhouse]

Shiram, on 09 January 2013 - 03:51 PM, said:

# of fights or altercations I've seen on a golf course in real life - 0
# of fights or altercations I've read about on GolfWRX - um a lot...

Either some of the users here are just that nasty or they just like to make up confrontations. Your guess is as good as mine.

That said, it's usually just a few hot heads - 99% of the posts are more positive.

There was one dude a little while back who wound up flaming out who claimed that he doesn't ever play a round of golf where he doesn't get in an altercation with somebody.

He was serious too.

[ronstars]

You may be right Willie, Only one way to find out however...

Number of Ping clubs I own....ZERO!

Bring it on Boys!!!! haha

[justaman5]

it wasnt that way almost 5 years ago when I joined   my number is in mid 20,000 of members.  Now we have more than 200,000 members.  with added numbers   its like apples in a barrell    the more apples you have  the more u stand to get rotten    just human nature