How to Get a Golf License in Germany | Adventures in Golf Season 6
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- Before you can play on a course in Germany, you need a license. Erik Anders Lang takes the test to get his.
Welcome to PlatzreifeDüsseldorf, the site of Adventures in Golf's first trip to Deutschland, presented by United Airlines.
Before the big day, Erik heads to Golf-Sport-Verein Düsseldorf e.V. where he meets up with golf journalist Michael Basche for a quick range session.
Now, it's Erik's time to put his skills to the test, literally, at the Golf Club of Oberhausen where he meets the head pro, Thilo Fassbender, and his instructor, pro golfer instructor and gnarly skateboarder, Kevin Kunze.
After Erik's exam, he makes his way to what will likely become one of Düsseldorf's favorite hang-out spots: Topgolf. Way before the targets and bays are finished, Erik visits with two of the guys responsible for this new location and understands why they specifically chose this German city.
To wrap up his trip, Erik tees it up with golf journalist Isabel Von Wilcke, where he gets an even better understanding golf life in Germany from her perspective.
Subscribe to Skratch for more: bit.ly/SkratchSub
Highlighting golf's fun, human and humorous side.
Skratch is the home of Adventures In Golf with Erik Anders Lang, pranks, challenges, Boo vs Beef, as well as collaborations with the one and only DJ Steve Porter.
Hit us up on Instagram: / skratch
Follow us on Twitter: / skratch
Say ‘hey’ on Facebook: / skratch
"we are germans, and in germany you need a license"
If you had to summarize a country and it's culture in a single sentence, this is it.
Ha
Replace license by rules to put it in a nutshell.
BTW,
Proud to have less traffic deads, less gun deads, less school massacres...
Proud to have less mortality in childbirths.
Probably also less golf accidents...
Dude just say you don’t understand social growth and move on.
@@paulsj9245 and yet nothing of the many millions of dead due to the worst racism in history, keep it classy Germany!
@@justonemori Alas, these were in the (somehow distant) past which ended 76 years ago, and I quoted facts of our current societies.
BTW: Godwin's law: You lose!
Bravo Eric, never seen a man try keep his eyes above 90 degrees so hard in my life. You even did the eye rub.
Came to see if this was commented 😂
@@_dboy_ i know right i felt obligated after searching for it. Felt like he needed the support. she should get fore tatted on those swinging them around like that.
Absolute artwork!!
@@markbuckley4902 Bruh ?😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Yea she’s got some cannons!
@Skratch Golf:
I love your videos and watch mostly all of them. To my person - I am from Austria, went through the PGM program at Ferris State, lived in the US a long time and am now a PGA teaching professional in Bremen, Germany. Since I know both (pond) sides of the golf industry I would like to comment on this video from my perspective.
First of all the concept of a "private" club over here versus in the US is a totally different one. As an American watching this you might think that all german courses are privat club with extremely high entry fees, gated areas, valet & locker room service as well as a high end golf carts with freshly clean towels and two bottles of water. This is as far from the truth as it can be. I would say that 98% are public here - only the way the clubs are governed is different - its more of an association then a club which is always a none-profit organisation. The amount of real public courses is rapidly growing as-well where you don't need a Platzreife.
The Platzreife concept has been cleared up correctly in the second part. From a PGA professional stand point I have to say that the what we call the "beginners course" leading up the the Platzreife is a good starting point for any golfer. Basic rules, as-well as golf technique is explained. Pace of play, course maintenance and safety issues are explained and testet in the end. Every golfer should at least have a rough understanding of the game before heading out. On top -of it the club management is happy with knowlageable members out there and the professionals have a breeding ground for future students. And yes - the germans like to do things right - they are very particular about many things which in my case is good - germans love to take lessons. I would have like to see more of that standpoint in the video as-well. Platzreife is not a hazard - it help people with the entry of the game and is also not set up by the government. BTW - Platzreife is also in other countries like Austria, Swiss and many others.
On the other side do I miss golfing in the US. Driving golf carts, having beer or two and simply having fun comes a bit short over here. The handicap is the reason for that. Constant progress is important - the question "what is your handicap???" is always #1 when meeting other golfers. It is what you are it seems like.
Anyways - I love your videos and I usually do not comment ever but I feel like I had to comment here to set things in perspective. We all want to grow the game, make it younger and make it RGC-like. Believe me.....I wish it would be much more like that here but we are working on it!!!!!
Cheers
Christoph
Hey fellow Bulldog! I too went to FSU but I didn’t study PGM
IBTD - I dispute the definition of "public"!
I have yet to find a public = "öffentlich, operated by a municipality etc." golf course here - there are quite a lot of public soccer fields but no such golf courses AFAIK. These are probably all in private hands = Vereine (clubs) or commercial entities, KGs (LP), GmbHs (LLC) etc. owning the ground, organising service and maintenance, and they MAY have a non-profit extension as a members organsation. I, for instance, am not a club member but a client of a GmbH (strictly profitable) which is a member of DGV and owns the course.
Oberhausen may be much more chill&cool than traditional clubs but they still require the same prerequisites to play their "big" course. In their words, "einen anspruchsvollen Par 35 Platz für Handicapspieler".
The courses are "public" only inasmuch they usually aren't gated or "members only", the public is allowed to enter. Most of them have no "butler" services, but you'll find amenities like fresh&free towels in the locker rooms. Oh the locker rooms!
Today some/many of them have short "academy" courses with no prerequisites like knowledge or membership - sort of "public", but the core "championship" courses have strictly limited access, for members of German golf clubs showing proper skills = Handicap on their membership cards. Foreigners may be welcome as guest players.
From what I read there is a major opportunity for you to create the fun experience that you miss from the US. It’s not that one group of people is any better than the other it’s about freedom and the ability to do whatever you want, your way ! Within reason and while Being responsible for your actions.
There are private courses, where only members and their guests play i.e. Centurion GC. There are private member's clubs where you can buy a greenfee, so they are open to the public subject to HCP restrictions or club constitution. This is the equivalent of almost all German clubs.
Then there are publicly owned courses. Look up who owns St Andrews links and you will see it is owned by Fife Council ( in Germany like a Landkreis). There it is restricted to ability if you can play such courses as the Old Course, but the Strathtyrum is unrestricted; you just turn up or book a time and play. All the club's in St Andrews i.e. The R&A, the New Club, St Rules, all have no or very limited playing rights as the members must buy from the council a season ticket if they intend to engage in normal weekly play. There are also publicly owned clubs, operated by various councils throughout the UK. That is the true meaning of publicly owned.
Wenn ich Platzreife als Anfänger (in Österreich) machen will, muss ich vorher schon mehrere Stunden Kurs machen oder reicht es einfach nur den Kurs bei der Platzreife zu besuchen? Bin Student und es ist so teuer ;(
Danke und liebe Grüße!
Interesting to hear you speaking about Sweden having a lot of golfers, because we are required to undergo training and obtaining a license in order to play as well.
As an Arizona native, I can say that golf cart, booze, music, and more booze is exactly how I learned to play golf.
The only way !
Arizona golf shall never be touched. I don't care if every round is 5 hours, the culture is too precious to be altered.
Exactly how it should be. I can still remember my first round with a bag of hand-me down clubs. Getting dragged out to the course by a couple of buddies who, for obvious reasons, were much better at golf than myself. Having the music and the booze flowing was the only thing that kept my spirits high for the first couple years while my swing matured!
How we do it here in TX! You can’t walk, it’s not even an option in 105 degree heat. So ride and booze
I learned with clubs and balls. The booze came after.
As an American living over here there is so much misleading stuff in here it's actually crazy. First of all, what is considered a private course in Germany is not analogous to a private course in the united states. In the US a private course doesn't just mean privately owned and operated, but private in that only members can play, in Germany it merely means privately owned. In reality there are almost zero courses in Germany that are private in the American golf context. 99% of the "private" courses here anyone can play. It's actually mind-blowing that this got left unexplained and the viewer was just meant to think that in Germany 95% of courses are private, which in an American golf context would mean that 95% of courses are unplayable to the public, and the opposite is reality.
Also, the percentage of Germans that play golf isn't 0.01%, that would be like 8,000 people.
You're not the only one who had these thoughts. In my comment I pointed out the same things. Do you know if there is a private golf club in Germany, where guests are not allowed to play?
that makes way more sense haha. i was like the courses must be entirely empty then hahaha
@@ArtVandel I can't think of one.
You mix up the difference between public and private. I would say that the majority of the courses in Germany are open to play for anyone with a golf handicap. But they are started and runned by private initatiative. When you play a course in Scotland sometimes you need a handicap and a membership in a golfclub in your home country, it's the same in Germany and for example Sweden, where 90% of the clubs wants to see a handicap certificate in order to play.
Hilariously German
As a relatively new golfer, I never would have taken up the sport if there were barriers like this. I golfed my first 18 when my buddies needed a 4th and just told be to come have fun. I got the bug and have taken up the sport and golf all the time now. If I needed to get a license just to hit a ball with a stick I never would have gotten into it. Seems preposterous and snooty, it’s just a game
Seems like a way to gate keep the game. Definitely limiting its growth there whether people want to admit it or not.
Exactly. If there's players having serious etiquette issues, that's what the course staff are for. Get them involved and let them handle it. This is for money, Germany is using golf to tax people and the German people are just allowing it.
Its not as much about gate keeping, it has more to do with people who don’t know the first thing about golf going on a course and destroying greens, tea boxes and causing slow play among others. In your case you playing with people who knew how to play golf so if you did something wrong they would be able to point it out.
@@rubenlievens2680 that is solved with a 5 min pamphlet on the rules. If you mean divots, good and bad players make divots.
@@oregonNYC I am talking about damaging cups, putting carts and bags on the green, raking bunkers. Things you know but not think about twice. As well as slow play. I you an avarge need 9 strokes to finish a hole your gonna slow people down.
1. the math is not accurate … about 0.8% germans play golf not 0.01%. quite a difference!
2. IMO a private club is one where ONLY members (and/or their guests) are allowed to play, isn‘t it!? my knowledge is, there is not one golfclub in germany, where guests (without member invitation) are prohibited to play. the greenfee might be higher in some cases or guests are only allowed to play from monday-friday, but as long as you have an official HCP or license you can play. yes there might be a HCP limitation (24 or 36), but mostly because the course has a difficult course/slope rating.
3. the tee box situation: only in tournaments you HAVE TO play from the designated herren (men) or damen (women) tees. BUT most players think they have to.
otherwise it’s your choice where to tee off, as long there are teemarkers.
I read this in my head in a German accent. Not sure why.
@@squigglyphrank9348 😄
Try playing Golfclub Wannsee in Berlin. They won't even let you on the parking lot if you are not a member's guest ;-) There are more clubs like that I am sure
@@totmarbz6830 that's just litteraly not true source: played there without knowing anyone. Actually a pretty good deal for youth/students.
@@totmarbz6830 that’s true if you want to play there on weekends, yes! but thru monday-friday there is no problem as a guest (as long as you are willing to pay 180€ greenfee - which is by far the highest in germany).
This is very similar all across Europe, I believe. We have a theoretical exam, a practical exam and then need to score under 36 before being allowed to play freely.
Under 36?! I’d never be allowed to play 😢😂
Here in the Netherlands you also need a license at most courses. It includes passing a theory exam with rules about etiquette and general rules of golf. The german license seems easy in comparison!
Being Scottish I wouldn’t mind it if there was a test that forced people to learn the rules and how to act on a course
It is the same here in Germany. You have to pass both a theory test and a playing test
Leek idd iets makkelijker. But still for safety and slow play prevention some knowledge and skill test is not bad at all in my opinion. 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻
Same in Belgium! Theory and practice exams before being offered the possibility to be affiliated to the federation, which you need to play any course in Belgium + being an active member in one club.
Same in France, you need what we call a « green card »
You can play golf on all the courses in Germany when you have a registered handicap.
Not very inviting for new golfers
@@Venciferus For sure! That’s why we don’t have a big golf community in Germany. Everyone who is not playing golf thinks it’s to complex to get into.
Not on all courses, but let’s say at the most courses. Some Courses are only for the members and you can‘t pay a fee and play.
Another great video Erik. I love learning about different cultures. I think anybody that has played behind a group that doesn't know or ignores golf etiquette would favour a license requirement. I also like how the Scots will kick you off the golf course if you can't get around in 3 hours.
Exactly! And with limited land in Europe and how dangerous a golf ball can truly be, I absolutely believe in this concept.
Forgot to add-and that is walking, no carts. Explains why you don't seen any obese Scottish golfers.
Despite the German licence, the etiquette part is far from perfect. It reflects German culture and in general although Golf in Germany and Scotland is played according to the same rules, German golf is a completely different culture. Frankly, it is nausea if you are an experienced Scottish golfer or similar and you play golf here. Loads of cheating, slow play, and as one interviewee mentioned a virtual caste system, although it is getting marginally better as the clubs have to compete to replace the aging membership with new blood.
It's golf but not as we know it.
Same system in Sweden and a lot of other European countries. When I started playing 18 years ago I had to take one written test on etiquette, a test on golf rules and a playing test. During the last couple years the rules have been relaxed quite a bit to get the license and I cannot say I am a fan of it. If people have no idea how to act on the course it could potentially be dangerous, but the real problem I see is slow play. I much prefer the German system over the American. Not the rule about the tee though, as that is just dumb. In Sweden they changed the name from ladies and men's tee to just call it by the length of course. So tee 59 would be 5900 meter length. And you can choose whichever one you want and there is a slope rating for all the tees for both men and woman.
My golf course here in Germany has ratings for all tee boxes. So it's not a rule. What we lack here is tee boxes for children. My question to you is: can also choose the tee box in a tournament in Sweden?
Thx Chewiechu i was just about to comment about we have the same system in Sweden but you beat me to it.
It precisely the same in Denmark. The 'intro classes' gives you a nice introduction to the game, other players, rules and basic training. Pretty much to avoid tom dick and joe to run around swinging away, destroying the course ect. running around a golf course stupid drunk, well, properly the american way
Why do you think it should be the law? Why not just a rule of each course, then people can go to the course with the rules they like.
I couldn't take my eyes off the protruding dimples on those oversized golf balls around the 19:00 mark 😅
Searched for this comment just to make sure I was not the only one. Thank you I’m not alone
Watching this as a German is really funny. I first became aware of our "Platzreife" when I did a high school year in Canada. They just laughed at me and I couldn't really understand why. Playing golf was and still is so expansive in Germany that it just made sense to me that you need a playing license. I'm a big advocate of courses like Oberhausen. I know the club. The atmosphere is chilled and what you get with the membership is amazing (two clubs and three courses that are not your "typical" golf courses - build into an old horse racing track and on the grounds of an old coal mine). We definitely need more of these clubs to attract all different kinds of people. I'm also really looking forward to checking out the TopGolf in Oberhausen!
As an avid golfer from the UK who likes to play abroad I'm interested to know if I would need a Platzreife to play in Germany as a tourist?
You know, Alexander Bordan, that you sound cool enough to make a video that catches the spirit of a German Top Golf location. You, Germans, have the best beers in the world, so I'd expect a broad variety to be sold at the Top Golf: moreover, I am enjoying a fantasy of the sausages & bread that could be enjoyed there. Hitting golf balls with friends while enjoying a few beers & a sausage sandwich sounds so 21st century German. Make the video, dude.
It's even more funny if you watch it as Sideshow Bob.
@@charliesmithers7663 If you can show a membership card of a club in the UK, that's fine. It's enough to proof that you're able to play. Generally, most clubs will look the other way for foreigners that are on a golf trip. If you don't have a membership I would recommend to call the pro shop ahead to make sure you're not turned away. Generally, I would expect most courses to be happy to let you play.
@@charliesmithers7663 I was afraid that people get exactly this impression watching the video. As in other countries on some courses you have to prove a certain handicap. The Platzreife-licence is only for absolute beginners.
Thank you firstly for this video. It sheds a lot of light on how the game is run throughout the world. Excellent work! I agree with your utter astonishment with how the game is run there. I'm from southeast England and I have an abundance of courses to play. I think that some of the best players come from having access to sport, be it Athletics, Football (Soccer), Rugby etc! To exclude the masses is to hinder progression. Just think that if all of Germany had as much access to golf as most of the world then the Ryder Cup would be a different tournament altogether.
For sure. The negatives far outweigh the positives of this silly requirement. It's no mistake that the world's best golfers come from countries where golf is both accessible and actively supported at grassroots level.
@@diogeneslantern18 100% I'm a man from a working class family. Just as an example we have Andrew (Beef) Johnson on the golf tour. A pure product of our easy access to the game in England. I can't afford a full membership but get out and play when I can. Sport is a hobby and should be as you say, as accessible as possible.
dude, the entire video was a joke, couldn't you tell from the way that he shows up at all these clubs and does these interviews looking like he just walked out of the Seattle woods?
Like he spends his time playing chess at the public parks in Manhattan?
Like he's a refugee from St. Elizabeths Mental Hospital?
And the poor German schlubs all had to take him seriously. He shows up at any decent course in the US looking like that, they'd show him where the greenskeepers' shed is.
@@touristguy87 Is this the first of these videos you've seen?
They are knobs mate , in Germany there are so many snobs in certain sports
This culture reminds me of Olympic fencing as a sport. I fenced for 30 years and in the US, we tried to get beginners to suit up and fence each other as soon as possible so people will gain interest. In a lot of European countries, Germany and Belgian that I know of, beginners will have to work on their footwork and blade work, often more than 6 months, before they are allowed to actually fence someone else in a bout. I feel like in those countries, "accident" is still a responsibility of an individual while in the US, we treated accidents as an "act of god/nature". Maybe that's why this type of differentiation happens. Whether it makes sense or not.
Some courses around the world have a minimum handicap for players which isn't a bad thing. Especially if they are really busy and I like the idea of giving new golfers a base to play from but a licence must surely hinder the games growth.
How are peoples handicaps supposed to drop of courses in their area don’t allow them on the course due to high handicap. Literally what’s wrong with golf
@@mitchycplays1118 If you are a member at the club, or just pay a monthly fee for playing without a membership rules don't apply. Its mostly for guest at harder and more busy course to keep pace of play. Same thing for St.Andrews or most of the high level courses in Europe.
I can understand that, even if I am not the biggest fan. Luckily more and more german course loosen the rule and often a hcp of 36 or 32 is only requiered during the high frequency tee times.
@@MrFreddy112 this is sort of a self fulfilling prophecy. if you have tons of golfers playing, a lot more courses would be built. when you have a lot of courses, peak frequency/crowded tee times becomes less of an issue
@@eduarddv00 Fair point but membership cost at most german course is quite affordable and we have a 6 hole course playable without the Platzreife, but very few non golfers play it. As a university student I only pay 35bucks a month for a full membership. Its not like the dues in private clubs in the US.
@@eduarddv00 And the issue with popular or nice courses presists. We have courses in our area nobod plays not even for a 10buck greenfee because they are not well maintained and boring where every hole feels the same just with a different yardage.
You can't just build courses and expect people to play, its a process that is already going in Germany. You need golf to be more fun and casual, like RGC is meant to be but you won't change traditions over night.
Same rules apply in sweden, with a license. But we have thousands of people golfing and I think The majority och The people appriciate it.
This is the second Skratch golf video I have watched, and your relaxed style, off-beat interesting content and extremely high production values have earned my subscription. Bravo!
I’m jealous of people just discovering Erik and AIG. Enjoy your viewing friend 🤌🏻
If you need a license for something as mundane as golfing, it makes this sound more like a dystopian city than a utopian one...
I'm surprised at the lack of comments on that Frauleins golf balls.
stay off the nice courses until you know how to play and learn the etiquette. we need a Platzreife in USA!
Hope you can get to Sweden to experience the "Public nature" of golf culture here.
We do have similar system in Sweden, most golf courses requires to have a "license" to play. Swedish Golf Association has been working to develop a system that is easier and focusing more on the core competences in Golf rather the all the "know-how" and etiquette that has been required before.
I did not know the percentage of golf players in Sweden was that high... :)
Same in Switzerland as other viewers mentioned. When I was about 20 I wanted to start playing golf but I simply could not afford any membership. Without being member in any club it was almost impossible to play golf. So the license and a membership can be quite an obstacle for young people. Now I‘m 40 and I finally picked up golf again and did my license. I’m a member now in a decent club, but I sometimes regret that I didn‘t play for such a long time.
It's absolutely stupid and unnecessary, and it's an indictment to perceived European elitism. In all golfing powerhouse countries the professional bodies support growing the game at grassroots level. You have initiatives like Little Kids Golf and Drive Chip & Putt to start people golfing at a young age - not to mention, a large number of golf clubs allow school teams to play golf in the afternoons for free.
ja ist bei mir genau so gewesen. 2 jahre driving range bis ich auf den verdammten platz konnte.😂😂
@@magerquark6833 😂 genau
@@fredr8159 das ist ja echt schade das du erst mit 40 anfangen konntest. ich spiel seit ich 16 bin und bereue es das ich nicht vorher damit angefangen habe.
The two golf clubs in this video are actually very inexpensive to be a member at. About the price of 2 greenfees a month. For that price, I don't see having to be a member an obstacle.
Its the same in Sweden, you need what we call a "green card" basically a drivers license for golf
Being German i am actually a fan of the Platzreife, what was not covered in the video is the fact that with a Platzreife, you kind of make sure that beginners are actually able to play the 18 holes making sure 1. They know the core rules & etiquette to maintain the tradition 2. Play at an adequate speed 3. not destroying the course since its super expensive to maintain.
Can you apply for the license at any course? And is it free to apply?
Yall are just flat out control freaks in every aspect of life. From mandates, to golf and everything in between.
@@fitnesstrainer9393 Yes, you can get your platzreife anywhere. But, if you're a beginner, you will need lessons first, and you also have to pass a written test on the rules and etiquette. The test price varies from course to course and pro to pro. There are lots of clubs, like Oberhausen in this video, that offer packages of lessons including the tests for about 200 Euros.
@@johnnymac2201 Holy shit thats insane. I would rather have to just book an earlier tee time to avoid beginners or offer to help them if I ran into them on the course than have to take a written test and pay over 200 euros for lessons on how to behave on a golf course. I have a grandmother who will give you golf course etiquette lessons for free
It’s actually genius. Here in the states we have to join private club to avoid 6 hour rounds and douchebags that destroy the course. Cheers.
19:19 I love all your videos but I have a special fondness for this one.
France has kind of a similar thing: the green card. Having played in the US, some players would need one there.
That was a good watch!
It’s also the same in Denmark and Belgium. You need a Golf Association card to play as its a privatised sport. Think it should be more public to make it accessible to more people. You might find the next Jon Rahm because of it.
Slum golf in mumbai suresh
That's right girl, in Arizona we're all about having fun while playing golf!!!
Really Erik? You make a video about Germany and you run to topgolf?
Come on! Contact me and i will show you some really cool golf places here 🧡
SCAM
You dont actually need a Platzreife in Germany as a Foreigner, your Handicap is the only thing required.
Some courses still require it. Some years back a former NHL Pro with a HCP of 16 was required by the club to atleast pass the theory exam.
I live in Germany. Have so for 30 years. Golf here is a really elite snobby expensive affair. There are hardly any public courses or driving ranges. The Germans love their licenses snd certificates - that's why you need a Platzreife. When I arrived here i just said I had a 8 handicap and I didn't do, b or more accurately, refused to do the Platzreife. They love their rules here .... the lady used a good word she said they like/need to be "guided". For me the Platzreife is just a money-making racket. Most people here get the license quite quickly and when you see the level of some people who pass the test and are then allowed on to the course you wonder how they got it. All in all the idea fits to the mentality and from the stuffy point of view (because golf can be that way sometimes) it can make sense in the snobby world of golf. Clubs are private and members who pay lots of money for the privilege to play expect other golfers to be "qualified" to play on their course - no hackers and no riff-raff! Keep up the great work Erik. Love what you do!
I'd laugh if some clown told me I need a license for a game I play 3 times a week. It does absolutely favours for growing the game.
11:14 EAL acts suprised about "if you are not a member of the club, you cannot play", like that is something uneard of in US 🤣🤣🤣
The impression that a tourist would need a Platzreife is not quite accurate. Any type of club card, handicap certificate will always suffice.
Also, the Platzreife is not a law, as is frequently said in the video, it is just a rule set up by the German Golf Federation that clubs adhere to, mostly. Nothing legally mandated.
Yeah. I got my handicap in Sweden and have had no problems playing golf in Germany.
As an American who golfs at public courses, I, and no one I know, have either of those things. It’s a game of whacking a ball with a stick. The concept of licensing is preposterous.
THIS NEEDS TO BE EVERYWHERE!!!! I just got paired up with 3 brand new golfers the other day, and... I shit you not they showed up with ONE CLUB EACH. I felt so bad for the group behind us
by the way, the „Platzreife“ is not a law, not by federal Government. The german Golfers Association implemented the system and most clubs adhere to it. Golf courses could decide to not require a Platzreife, as they often do for „short courses“. As the Golf courses are quiet full (lot of players for the number of golf courses), the Platzreife is not such a bad thing, as it keeps speed of play at a decent level (if it is not slowed down by people looking for balls for 15 Minutes….)
I was thinking to myself that this is an awesome idea. Especially since the pandemic it doesn’t matter where you go it’s 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 hours just to get a round in. I would prefer to play 36 in that amount of time. I played a round with two buddies on Monday with an afternoon tee time and played the front nine in an hour caught up to people on the 12th, those last six holes took almost three Flippin hours.
stimmt genau 😁👍
I think this idea of Platzreife is brilliant. I’m a member of two clubs in Australia and get frustrated by feral guys showing up on the weekend having no idea about the sport at all.
but why a license? why not a handicap measure?
@@zdea777 well, at the end that’s the same thing. The platzreife means you can play a 54 (which is 3 over Par), plus you have some basic knowledge on etiquette and how to play in a decent speed.
there's no wonder they start so many wars
I think this video might be making too big a deal out of the process. Yes, culturally it's a bit strange, especially if you're coming from where I came from in the US, where we all had golf clubs in our hands from age 10 onward. But like all things German, there is a logic. Not that many people play golf in this country. So if you want to play, where are you going to learn it? And do we want a bunch of zero-experience golfers going to the courses? We also don't do that in the States, but we have instead an informal system of training the youth.
The word 'Platzreife' doesn't mean 'license;' it means, literally, place-ripening. It's simply a training on golf fundamentals that tells the course that you know how to take care of your own shit during a round.
What I do find kind of strange in German golf though, is that every course is private and you need a membership somewhere in order to play anywhere. I've gotten around this by being a member at a no-course golf club. It's €15/month, they issue me a membership card, and this is universally recognized as a ticket to entry (paying guest green's fees at all courses). Some courses offer discounts for my type of membership, some courses charge an extra premium for this kind of member card. And that's all pretty annoying.
You have to understand though: culturally, almost everything that Germans do in their free time is associated with a club or association (Verein). Additionally, if they can systematize a thing and make rules and regulations for it, they will. But honestly, as a tourist, especially an American tourist, you absolutely do not need a Platzreife to play golf in Germany. Just smile and be friendly and say, "I'm American and I know how to golf!" and they will let you on 100% of the time.
Germany and papers... it never ends does it?
It’s the same in Sweden, you need a “license” remember that private vs public clubs isn’t the same here as in USA. Everyone is welcome in every club in Sweden, but you need a membership. A memberships is approximately 600 dollar’s.
I have a USGA handicap and when I moved to Germany it was very easy for me to get my platzreife. I just scheduled a lesson at the local club and asked the pro about it. I think it helped that I have a low handicap but they had no problem giving me the platzreife that day.
"We stick to the rules"...my wife would say I need to move to Germany. However, as much as I don't agree with the golfing license, sometimes I wish it was required in the US.
Unfortunately, what they are saying is not true. 600.000 out out of 80 million is roughly 1% and not 0.01%.
And besides that, I know well over 20 „real public“ golf courses in Germany where you don’t even need a Platzreife. And that’s only in a small part of Germany. Most of the time a private club also has one of these for everybody. That’s how I started.
Erik trying to wrap his head around how crazy it is to need a golf license in Germany is like most people trying to wrap their minds around gun laws in the US
A golf license isn't an integral part of the german constitution, unlike the second amendment in the US.
@@sean9820 Hahaha. Americans are so quick to bring up their constitution... My point is, a Golf License is a standard thing in Germany, yet the rest of the world thinks it's crazy. And US gun laws seem pretty normal to American citizens, although most first world countries find them absolutely ridiculous. It was a metaphor.
0.01%? Interesting math there. It’s closer to being 1% of the German population golfing. 0.8125% to be exact.
We have the same protocol in Finland, called Green Card. It's a 4 hr lesson and you have to be a member of any golf club in order to play. Most of the public courses are par 3 and just a few holes.
We have some pay-and-play courses where you can play without the Green Card but you have to play with a person that has one. I'm lucky enough to have that kind of course quite near my hometown and golf has really took me away.
Thanks for the great show, really amazing work👍
I've been into golf for a while and hit the driving range now and then, but I want to start playing for real. The thing is, I'm not about to fork over a thousand bucks for a few lessons just to get a license in Switzerland. For what? So some guy can spend a few hours stating the obvious and cash in a month’s salary? No thanks. And don’t give me the "we only want people who know how to play" excuse. I see people digging bunkers with their clubs before they even hit the ball at my local course all the time. It’s not about keeping beginners out.. it’s about keeping lower-income folks out of the sport. If you think otherwise, you’re probably sitting in a private club on your high horse.
Incredible video. Thank you very much for exposing us to some incredible golf experiences. Now I have to add golfing in Germany to my bucket list of things to do in Germany.
Platzreife is overrated! I play golf and have a membership in a foreign country. I show my membership card and I play. Platzreife is for beginners. 🤣
see the thing with bar ranges like top golf is that almost everyone is interested and wants to go. they look insane from the outside, especially at night. The idea of drinks food and a small arcade fits most family outtings. They did some covid stuff that was easy when i went once and youre already in your own bay. Heaters, TVS and games, tracking numbers, etc its all very appealing. for a decont golfer its a place to kinda show off and see your numbers if you never get to with equipment.
What a great episode. I think it is a very good idea. During COVID lockdown, here in Australia, golf was one of the few sports we could play. The course was packed with exceptionally slow players with no idea of etiquette. Upside? Found heaps of brand new balls every round😜
Here in the states we couldn’t even go outside and play golf during lockdown! Not even by yourself!!!
It was mad, they would leave a new pro v sitting just off the fairway, they weren’t watching where their balls went. You would find up to 4 a round.
Ich think its important to know the Golfrules very well because i was hit from a Golfball on the head last holiday … Platzreife is a good way to educate beginners …
You need a license in West-Europe almost everywhere. We can’t imagine “green” golfers to jump onto just any course. Much different than USA/AUS/NZ
Hi Erik, Nice Vid !
Come to Belgium and you'd be amazed of the tests to be done prior to your first game on the course.
First of all you need to be a member of a Golfclub, which will provide you of a Golf Liscense number, offering international insurance and other stuff. Not cheap by the way.
You can then start practicing on the range. After that you're obliged to take a few lessons with a pro/teacher, then you need to pass a technical test (stroke, chip, put) taken by the pro/teacher.
If you succeed you then have to go for a round on the course under a pro's supervision, who will determine if it is ok to follow the next steps.
In the mean time you have to do some studying of the golf rules and pass for a theoretical exam (minimum score to pass the test is 80% on 30 random questions on rules and etiquette), which will allow you to practice on a 9 hole course, only in the golfclub you're playing.
Only after 2 extra rounds (1 theorethical and 1 practical on seperate dates) under supervision of some established club members teaching good golf practice and etiquette, you're allowed to do your practical exam, where you need to achieve a minimum stableford score of 14 on the 9 hole course. Now you're ready to start playing at a HCP of about 50...
This takes on average for most players about 6 months or more. In theory you could obviously do this in a much shorter time, but as most of us are weekend players....
So if think Germans have heir rules 🙂
Cheers !
Alex
First 18 hole club in US is a course is Downers Grove, IL. It's the initial Chicago Club. Original 5 of the USGA course. Home of the out of bounds rule, because a farmer would take pot-shots at the golfers. The new club is very private, but the original location is with most holes the same, public and lovely.
Great Video! I life in Düsseldorf and play the course on a regular basis. So amazing and funny to see German-Golf and our Region through your eyes...and I totally agree with you. Düssledorf is the perfect sice and a great place to enjoy life!
This is nuts, i live about 15 minutes from that Top Golf. Been there the first time 3 months ago, have since started getting coaching and my Platzreife. Tons of younger people joining country clubs because of Top Golf, it literally creates a new hype in our region. Insane.
So Platzreife is for safety. To educate people. For etiquette and to get people quickly through the course. Yet we have relatively few Golfers here in Germany in comparison to other countries. And in other countries it works even without Platzreife.
I'm trying to get into Golf right now. Again. I already looked into it when I was a student. But then you have the Platzreife, which costs money. You need to join a club, which costs a lot of money, especially for a student. And then you have your usual Golf stuff that you need to get. Its just super inconvenient to get into the sport. You literally have to take a practical and a theoretical exam to even start playing an actual Game. And for me as a student it was waaaaaaay to expensive.
As a decent player (9 hcp), i would love to have everyone on the course at least have the basics, but i can't understand it would make it incredibly difficult to get started.
I think their test is legit though. People flubbing 3 shots around the green kills pace of play.
Here in austria you can't even play private courses without an active membership like the golf pro mentions at around 11:04 . And if you want to be a member in a club, you not only have to pay the membership, but also an inscription fee if you get the membership the first time. In my case that was 1500€/year membership plus 1000€ inscription fee, so thats quite a lot of money just to get started. And that's still without equipment and the Platzreife costs (about 100€), a second license to play tournaments where you have to beat 45HCP, and most courses even require you to have a specific HCP like 34 or 28, even if you fulfill the previous mentioned requirements. Oh and guess what, if you change your club, you have to pay the club specific inscription fee again.
Well, while there was a small boom in golf during the pandemic, because golfing was always allowed, it's no wonder that golf is still seen as a snob sport around here and there aren't nearly as many golfers as there should be in austria.
And to finish my rant off, most of the golfers here still have no idea what pace of play is, and when and how to let faster flights behind them play through lol
@@m1lian404 Thats awful. Half of amateur golf is the comradery with friends, even those who rarely play. Seems like these laws make it impossible to have an inclusive game.
I agree, it’s a tough balance between making the game accessible to everyone and requiring basic abilities. But part of being accessible is being able to play in a reasonable time. Public courses in the summer regularly take 6+ hours which is ridiculous. I don’t care if you hack it around the course, but after 10 minutes just pick it up and move on
This exactly. I’m from Belgium where we also have to do written exam and course exam. I only think it’s normal people at least have some knowledge about etiquette, replacing divots, fixing pitch marks. Already with all these ‘rules’ in place the pace is incredibly slow at times. I could not imagine how slow it would be.
That being said I also think, at least in Belgium, a problem is also the amount of clubs. There’s barely any and expensive. So you cannot compare it to Scotland or the US where there’s an abundance of room where you could have both. Public and Private.
Butterfield Golf Club, just west of Chicago, is lovely. Please let me know if that's something you're interested in. It formed because other Chicago corses didn't allow Catholics. The founders decided to form a world class course and included the bye-law that any Priest could be a member. The course and play is amazing and is indicative of 1929.
I think its pretty much all around the Europe...you need to spend €1000 to even get it...its shame it actually turn down many many people...and lil bit snobishnes is involved..and need to be a member of 1 of golf clubs...and 90% of courses are expensive and much much worse than american public courses..
An architect should have the numbers right: 650 thousand of 80 million equals 0,8 percent and not 0,01 percent. In Sweden around 5 percent of the population plays golf. The leaders in this category are Iceland, Finland and Scotland. The term private club can be misleading. It doesn’t mean that only members are allowed to play there. In fact all [sic!] German golf courses are open for guests.
When i got my license in Sweden in early 2000, I found that was very good system. It's not like it stops people who really want to play to play. Who wants players who hit 200 shots, dont let anyone play through, and do dangerous things on the course?
Course staff handle that in the US. You go to the pro shop and notify staff and let them handle it. A license won't stop an asshole from being an asshole. It will gate keep the sport and discourage people from ever trying the sport.
@@theindooroutdoorsman what evidence do you have for that? Sweden has more players per capita than Scotland and Australia. Eventhough we have half their golf season due to the freezing conditions.
@Wuhan Wonton asked: "but why a license? why not a handicap measure?"
It is a sequence.
For a valid handicap, a player must be a member of a club.
"Platzreife" is a certficate by the issuing Golf Club meaning that a player is "ripe", educated enough, to play on THEIR precious course. Of course, they want him as a member to play THEIR course, so he agrees to a membership. Then, he may play tournaments to receive a handicap - the predominant way in Germany to "enter scorecards". This is documented at the national association and on the yearly membership card. Without such card, no play on other regular courses.
In a way, each course is private to a club, and the German clubs mutually agree to let their members play on their courses, mostly for a greenfee.
It's a cast system distinguishing between the casts of "golfers" and "non-golfers". By money and other means, they control who is allowed to enter.
I assume this kind of license is mandatory all around the UE... I know FRA, BEL and ESP and the three are the same...
Is basically an insurance issue and respecting the rules and the other players... no jeans and collarless shirts allowed in Spain....
Not true that 15% of Swedes play golf, a more accurate number is 4.5%. 461000 players and our population around 10 million. We do have a similar system with license however, a "green card" in order to play courses. Like a mandatory few hours practice and round with a coach to prove you won't go and destroy the green etc.
you guys did forget a very important thing here..
tl;dr "there is another clichee that keeps us germans from playing!"
let me explain:
As for me, a now 36 yo german, interested in the game since the age of 5, this platzteife BS kept me from playing on a real (!) course until the age of 33!!
But not only that!
To this day, you (the golfer) will allways fight the clichee that sticks on you when you play golf, or tell anyone you do.. it feels like this clichee never dies out..
everyone (here in germany not playing it) thinks golf is just for the riches..
but it gets worse.. you will get the line "hast du noch sexy oder spielst du schon golf?" (i.e. do you still have sex, or are you already playing golf ?)
i am a librarian, played golf the first time on a gameboy at the age of 5, and on every console after that ever since... until i got my first hand on a book of golf in 2005... the nearest golf course (30km) was just about being finished to full 18 holes. the book (!) was the first one to tell me that golfclubs clubs could actually be affordable (there aint no rift stores or flea markets or parents or uncles with old clubs)
ebay was new, and i got myself a complete 14 piece bag of clubs.. putter to driver..
i hit the range, did what i've read in the books and after i've finally hit the first ball into the sky.. it was over.. i was hooked. i couldnt stop..
but there was nobody to share the joy with people at my age there.. and it always felt bad, when you wanted to convince someone to try it.. still today
well, i wanted to do it right beforehand.. thats true..
but speaking of clichee, there is something you really missed out.
OR you knew about, and thankfully didnt mention it..
but my need of telling you how bad this clichee ALSO keeps us young germans from playing the greatest sport evet invented.. urges me to shout it out to the world..
and oberhausen.. omg.. i will drive 5-6 hours to get there, for sure! so stoked!
i'm hoping so badly.. that this thing impacts hard in germany and something that needs to change, changes in a good way..
oh.. and one thing isnt mentioned at all.. most golfcourses here are quite Compact in germany.. Misshitting fairways might often mean hitting another fairway, which means possibility if hitting someone.. therefore you HAVE to fix at least SOME misshitters before they even start 🤣
How did you get on to the Top Golf construction site without a Hard Hat,Safety Glasses and Hi Vis jacket in, GERMANY of regulations? 🤔🤔🤔🧐🧐
I admit that is what keeps me OFF a golf course. I dont know how to play effectively, my fear would be to ruin someone elses golf day. I do have german ancestry (LONG AGO) as a Texan.
You need a license as well in France.
It's about 500€ as well. Crazy. It's such an entry barrier. It's a shame.
Etiquette, health & safety, they have the same arguments. And it kinda makes sense, but I can't help but think it's a shame.
Kind of surprised on your comments on this Erik. This German way seems to support the "Old" way of golf not the new for fun RGC methodology. But your last comment that maybe in Germany it will help golf...flexible
Just wrong !!! he said 650.000 golfers are playing in germany with a population of 80.000.000 and said this is 0.01 %.. MATH?
I respect the view of not wanting to set foot on a course until you're fairly competent. That's one trait I share with the Germans. But this license policy has severely hindered not only golf growth in the country, but German PGA success as a direct result, with all due respect to Bernhard Langer and Martin Kaymer. This mindset may help Germany in some ways (the automotive world comes to mind), but it's a hinderance to common sport. Imagine needing a license before you played football/soccer. No wonder so many Germans are turned off to golf.
Why the desire for public golf courses? Should non-golfers be required to pay for someone else's hobby? A license for golf is a different crime of the same origin. If golf is good enough to pay for, they will and not doing so will bring prices down. Private course is the way to go. Not like disc golf where you can install baskets and conduct maintenance like wou would if they weren't there anyway. Ball golf requires manhours and staff.
The license costs like 100€ and gives you like 3-4 pro lessons and then you just Play a few holes with the pro and thats it, Not something Special or hard. I think it is Not Even possible to fail this, no matter how you Play or how much you know…
Wow Erik, were you casting to meet the most cringe German golfers? Zeeee Water Tatoo...yes we all have zis. It is fun no? No.
As a passionate german golfer, I hope you are gonna come back and dig a little deeper. The Platzreife might be a curiosity but golf in germany has more to offer than the stereotypical rule loving german idiosyncrasies. I am an avid watcher of all your content but this was weak sauce.
I realize Eric is trying to be fair here and not make judgements from the outside. However this license rule seems 100% like a way for the “elite” to keep the riff raff out of golf. Like he said “you’re friend can’t take you to play?” This does nothing but hurt the growth of the game.
I can certainly vouch for the accurate description of Arizona golf!
8:55 why do all German people talk like that when they speak english?
I was always curious.
France has a similar approach, you need to pass your "Carte verte" to go on the course, the exam is generaly sold with a bundle of lessons, which are not cheap. The best course are private, pitch and puts are destroyed to be replaced by elite practice facilities. and you must register in formal competitions to have an index.
All of that to say it's not only Germany that have this weird approach of golf. maybe you should do a documentary on how is it to begin golf in countries like USA, UK or New Zealand, to show that the elitist approach is not the best
Love your work Eric !
The top golf exec's really sounded like they were shooting from the hip when EAL asked them what research/evidence gave them confidence that this top golf would succeed. Answering lots of people around here golf really isn't supported by the first 5 minutes of this video.
I would enjoy Germany as this is the way it should be. Slow play is no joke.
Well no, it absolutely makes it harder to play. You can’t just be like, “yo John you wanna go learn golf today?” And just pay $20 at a local public course and go play a round and teach the guy to play properly. Now he’s gotta be like nah I can’t I don’t have a license and they aren’t open today to go get one. That’s so dumb
I realize Erik is trying to be fair here and not make judgements from the outside. But this license rule is 100% a way for the elite to keep the riff raff out of golf. Like he said.
“your friend can’t take you to play?” This does nothing but hurt the growth of the game
we have that in norway befor as well. you needed to hit 7 in par 4 and 6 in par 3 . you need to hit 5 balls of 20 inside a circle and something. then it was the theory for the exam , pass that then its practical in course and like i said 1 month later. you need to do the play exam to be a member. yes in europe , you need to be a member and do the things. yellow and red boxes are more or less removed in norway, we do still have them yes.
This 15 handicap with a horrible swing determines whether or not you're good enough for a license? AND he hands out crappy tips? Holy shit! This is the worst idea ever!
I know this is an older video, but I have only found this. 😉 Anyway, the concept of the Platzreife is not just something for Germany, but in the Netherlands we need what we call a GVB. The idea is basically the same. You need to take lessons with a pro and then you need to walk a part of the course to show that you are able to play golf in a proper way. What you haven't shown in the video is that there is also a written exam on golf rules, both in Germany as well as in the Netherlands. Fortunately you do not need to do a resit every time they do a rule change. 😄
There is a couple of things not entirely correct as portrayed in this video. You need a platzreife and you need to have a membership in any golf course in Germany. However, if you call the club in advance and explain the situation. So if Erik would have just called and told them I am an experienced golfer just in the country for a couple of days trying to play a couple of courses, they are pretty chill about it usually. Even an official leading golf course in Germany was cool with a friend of mine visiting from the US to play, at least if there is someone in your flight who has a german club membership. It is more of an insurance thing as Thilo pointed out. Otherwise people could go on a course and destroy the greens for example, if they have no experience in golf. The second thing is, that you can shoot from any tee box you like if you are just playing for fun. No one cares unless you are playing a tournament, of course.
Thanks for this video Eric. My wife is German and she keeps telling that I need a license to play golf and it baffles me.
Now I have any idea of what I need to do to golf in Germany.
Thank you.
Isabella is smoke
I like the concept, and think a beginner with no knowledge of the game would benefit. I would be super nervous lol . Where can i get some RGC merch😁.
Show me your papers!
I wish people had to have a license to play golf in America. Golf courses are crazy now a day. The amount of time you spend waiting on every tee-box would be cut in half if everyone knew the rules.
nah seems like a way to control who gets to golf and who doesn't. lessons/license cost money. make golf affordable and more people will golf.
I don’t know about a full license like that but I do really wish there was at least a basic etiquette test in the US. Just a little about pace of play, actually calling fore on bad shots, and fixing ball marks and divots would make a huge difference in making courses better to play. Would only take 5 minutes to do that tutorial once a year or something