by Josh Little- SpringLake Golf Resort
A few times a year, the Pro Shop at my Golf Resort receives a frantic phone call from somebody using a cell phone in need of immediate assistance.
Cell phones may be annoying, but if you're having a medical emergency- or have driven your cart into a waterway (doh!), those cell phone users may quickly become your best friends.
I do, however, encourage all cell phone users to switch them to vibrate.

by NOE
Get real, we have the option of putting cell phones on vibrate, what is the big deal. Just a little sign in the pro shop or on the golf carts asking for vibrate only will solve the problem. If people want silence go to the library and read about golf.

by GW
CELL PHONES ARE A NESSARY EVIL. TELL A DOCTOR TO CUT OFF ALL CONTACT DURING A 4- 5 HOUR ROUND. MY ABILITY TO BE OUT PLAYING GOLF IS BECAUSE I CAN STILL COMMUNICATE ON MY PHONE. IT STAYS ON VIBRATE AND I CALL BACK ONLY WHEN WAITING MY TURN TO PLAY. BY ELIMINATING CELL PHONES THEIR WOULD BE A LOT FEWER GOLFERS.

by js
Put the cell on vibrate and check a couple of times during the round. When you do check your messages or make a call, try and make your call so that is does not interfere with the pace of play

by Nick Aramino
When cell phones first came out, I resisted owning one for many years -- until late 1998. I felt then and do now, we got along fine for centuries without them. And, sometimes riding in the car or away from any telephone was the only peace and quiet I could get. Is it a convenience? Of course! But I use it strictly as a tool -- for necessary calls. To this day I oeprate two businesses and use less than 400 minutes per month. How? I get on when I need to, get my business done and get OFF. Never mind the BSing over nothing -- that's what is annoying -- not just on the golf course, but everywhere.

by Tob Cohen
Since its inception of cell phones in Kenya in 1998 all golf clubs have a strict policy on the golf courses AND the club houses. They are not allowed and small fines are levied. Members who have been caught 3 times are suspended. Cell phones can only be used on the parking lots. It is a good policy and strictly adhered to.

by tp
today I am following a threesome and a twosome in carts as I walk an old Donald Ross course in Florida. The threesome is slooow. I watch as one hits his tee ball into a pond 130 off the tee. He and his cart partner break out their retrievers to scour the mud for it and several replacements. They decide thay have enough to finish their round and 45 seconds into the preshot routine the cell phone goes off. Mr. Molasses walks to the cart and answers it and proceeds to engage in a 90 second conversation without so much as a "hold on a sec." They acted like I WAS THE CRAZY ONE for yelling at them. Just like my new driver, its not the phone, ITS OPERATOR ERROR!!!

by Michael T
I agree with allowing cell phones, I now get the freedom to be out of the office, (I am self employed) but still "work" I leave it on silent and vibrate, check for missed calls or text messages every 3-4 holes, and if I have to make a call I walk wayyy far away from the group. I don't agree to have phones ringing...or to make calls and talk loudly near golfers, that is rude!

by michael T
and yeah my game does suffer sometimes due to lack of concentration...but its still better than not being able to get out..

by GC
Cell phones do not belong on the golf course for several reasons including they can be heard on more than one hole, 90% of the time the call is not significant, it's a ego thing as most players with cell phones can't play golf as they are hiding from someone!!!!!!

by L. Mullen
In Ireland cell phones are banned from most courses and also from use inside the club house. A great idea. They can be used in the club parking lot for messages etc. that is quite enough even in this modern era of communication !

by Edward Ryan
Going back a few years when cell phones had just come into use, my secretary asked me why I did not take my phone (or at least a pager) onto the course, as it was 4 or 5 hours that she was unable to get a hold of me.
I responded, "If you cannot handle things for those 4 or 5 hours without disturbing me, you're fired". That shut her up, and she never asked again.
To this day, I will not take a cell phone (or pager) onto the course, and I ask anyone wth whom I'm playing to turn their phone off, also.

by Sam Bogan
I agree that cell phones should not be used on the course but there are occasions where it is unavoidable. The majority of the golfers during the week are trying to get in 18 during the workday when time permits and this is usually a last minute idea. If the there is no access to the cell phone that could cause many weekday golfers to not play.
I suggest posting the rules of etiquette as it applies to cell phone use on the golf course. The rule should be:
1. Phones must be in silent mode
2. If a call is received and it needs to be answered there is a 60 second limit. If the 60-second limit is exceeded then the golfer must forfeit the shot and the hole.
3. Talking too loudly should also be discouraged.
This is my 2 cents!

by MJ
You can't take a stance based only on the work angle; as was stated in the main article, sometimes family responsibilities can come before golf - I'd suggest you might try & take your golf round a bit less seriously.