b'To putt with your muttor notThat is the question for golfers considering taking their best friend to the rangeby Yvonne Pepin-WakefieldTHE FIRST TIME I GOLFEDwith my two terriers (with the permission of the greenskeeper), it was on a deserted course tucked into a forest.Henry and Zachary are well-trained and behaved. But given the open expanse, well, they acted just like dogs. They heeled while I teed-off, then ran freely, crisscrossing the fairway as I pulled my cart. But given the remote location, the only things we needed to be aware of were elk and cougars, not other players. The next time on a course, however, golfing with my dogs on pristine regulation fairways was not as carefree. I drove a cart, and the unleashed dogs were tucked in the basket behind the seat. On a sudden fairway turn, Zachary, After putting out on the first green, I returned to an empty cart. One fairway over,repositioned in a fleece dog bed, slid off two golfers on a tee box were petting the escapees who were panting from chasingagain, but was stopped by a leash which squirrels up a nearby tree.was long enough that he was not left This would happen again on another course, but this time, the players were nothanging.so friendly. After some human apologies and doggie reprimands, I resumed playOther dogs were used to test more but my concentration was broken by dogs that would rather play. conditions. If the dog is on the tee box or In researching dog-friendly golf courses, I contacted clubs across the country.fairway, make sure it is well outside of None ever reported any problems, perhaps because of regulations being enforced.the back swing or well beyond the players Most concurred that if a barking dog interrupted a swing, that would be ansightline. The most important part is that immediate ticket to go home.the dog will stay and not chase a drive. Terry Martin, owner of Agate Beach Golf Course in Newport, Ore., says as farWhen hitting out of a bunker, even as he can remember, his family-run course has allowed dogs. He regularly playsif your dog is six feet away, it will still with his golden retrievers, and has trained them to retrieve balls lost in the brush. get a sand shower. To avoid distraction To test out what can go right or wrong when mixing dogs and golf, Caseywhen putting, keep your dog behind you. McCoy, PGA Professional at The Dalles (Ore.) Country Club, which does not allowIf playing with others, ask beforehand pets, let several dogs experiment on the course. I tested my dogs first.whether your party shares canine-on-the Even before driving out of the parking lot, Zachary slid off the cart seat. Thiscourse enthusiasm.unexpected freedom keyed Henry, who was seated in the basket behind, to follow.Because playing golf with dogs is a I resettled both dogs, then tethered them. whole different ball game.22PACIFIC NORTHWEST GOLFER|SEPT 2020'