Monday 16th August 2010

Brief Golfing Etiquette

Golfing etiquette is as much a part of the game as any other aspect of golf. It is related to the pace of play, safety of golfers, and the quality of maintaining the golf course.

Some basics to take note of:-

Maintain a good pace:

This is one of the biggest problems with golf in recent years. A round of golf should not take 5 hours or more to play. There are ways to help you to maintain a good pace…

* Keep the round moving by being prepared to hit your shot when it is your turn.

* Don’t spend too much time looking for a lost ball. If you insist on looking for the ball for the alloted five minutes and there is a group behind you waiting, then wave them through.

* Importantly, Always try to keep pace with the group ahead of you. To many people think its simply a case of staying ahead of the group behind you which is not good etiquette.

* Leave your golf bag en route to the next tee box before going to putt on the green. Once you have holed out on the green then move stright to the next tee box & mark your card there rather than discussing shots & holding up play for the group behind.

Leave the course in better shape than what you find it in:

* Always repair your divots on the fairways.

* Repair your pitch marks on the green. By way of good etiquette repair your mark & one other mark on each green.

* Always rake bunkers after hitting to erase your footprints and damage to the area where your ball was.

* Avoid taking a divot on a practice swing.

Other etiquette points:

* If your ball appears headed toward another player or group, give them a warning by shouting out, “Fore”.

* Never throw clubs in anger. Its childish & rude. It could also be dangerous.

* Do not hit the ball until you are certain that the group ahead of you is out of range.

* Do not swing your club until you know that others around you are at a safe distance.

* Never talk during another player’s swing.

* Never walk through a playing partner’s putting line. Your footprints maight alter the path of a partner’s putt.