Golfing Etiquette Basics
Golf is a game of rules and etiquette, and it is very important to know the basics of golfing etiquette before you go up to the tee to play your first game of golf.
Golfing etiquette demands that it doesn’t matter whether you are playing on your own, in a twosome or in a foursome, you must always wait your turn. You must also stay aware of the group on the next hole and wait until they are well ahead of you before hitting your ball.
Golfing etiquette also says that it is never correct to “push” the group in front of you. If you are playing with others, wait your turn to hit the ball and never hit at the same time as another player.
While you are waiting for your turn to play, go to your ball and decide what golf club you will select and how you are going to hit the golf ball with it. This is called “ready golf” and keeps the game moving along, but don’t rush anybody, just be ready for your turn to play.
Another nice piece of golfing etiquette, especially for the novice is ‘playing through’. For example, if your team is holding up the players behind you, say because you are consistently over par, let them play through. You would simply wave them through, or if they are near enough, ask them if they would like to play through. You will never make an enemy by doing this!
When someone is making a shot, you should be standing behind them and you shouldn’t make any noise! It is so distracting to be about to to tee off and just as you pull back, someone decides to jingle keys in their pocket or noisily unwrap a bar of chocolate.
Replacing divots. Let’s say you are on the fairway and you hit the ball a bit thick and a clod of dirt and grass goes flying, no problem, but golfing etiquette says that you ought to repair the hole. On some courses you just put the turf back into the hole and step on it to press it down, but on most courses, there is a sand/seed mixture on the course to put into the divot. Also, if your ball makes a deep impression when it lands on the green, you ought to use your divot tool to repair it.
As soon as you have completed a hole, replace the flag and leave the green quickly so that the next players can play that hole. Count your score and write it on the scorecard when you’re back at your cart.
There is much more to golfing etiquette of course, but these simple essentials of golfing etiquette will enable you to get through the course without upsetting anyone. If we all keep to golfing etiquette we will keep the game friendly, or not?
If you are want to find out more about golfing etiquette, visit our website on Golfing Tips for Beginners for loads of free tips.
