Surviving a golfer's WhatsApp group

IF YOU THINK golf is difficult, try surviving a golfer's WhatsApp group. No, seriously. Everyone thinks the hardest part of golf is getting out of a deep bunker or holing that four-footer that suddenly looks like Augusta's 18th green.

- Rahil Gangjee

IF YOU THINK golf is difficult, try surviving a golfer's WhatsApp group. No, seriously. Everyone thinks the hardest part of golf is getting out of a deep bunker or holing that four-footer that suddenly looks like Augusta's 18th green. But trust me—those are child's play compared to the emotional, psychological, and spiritual trauma of being part of a group chat with golfers. I've been in plenty. Club groups, weekend buddies groups, "elite invite-only" groups (where everyone invites everyone anyway), and even family golf groups where uncles send "Good Morning" flowers at 5.30 am. They're all the same: chaotic, unfiltered, and proof that golfers should spend more time practicing and less time typing. Let me break down the characters, the dramas, and most importantly, the survival guide.

The tee-time wars: Every group starts with one noble soul posting: "Who's playing tomorrow?"

What follows is a meltdown that makes Indian traffic look organised.

Player A: "6.30 works best for me."

Player B: "Not possible. It's dark. 7.15 please."

Player C: "Any time, I'm flexible." (translation: I'll agree to whatever time you book, then cancel at 11.59 pm tonight).

Player D: "Boys, make it 9 am. I need my beauty sleep."

The Secretary: "9 am? You'll never get a slot. Only 6.45 is available."

Player D: "Then I'm out. Sad."

At this point, 87 messages have been exchanged. Not a single booking made. And somehow, by next morning, five people just turn up miraculously at 6.45, all claiming, "I thought you booked."