Golfing Tips: Proper Golf Course Etiquette

A little golf etiquette will go a long way on the golf course. You don’t have to be a great golfer, just a knowledgeable one.

If you are not aware of the etiquette of golf you are at the mercy of others. Be aware and golfers all around will appreciate you on the course.

Etiquette means behaving well in a social situation, and golf, above all other sports, is a social game that follows a strict code of ethics. Knowing and practicing proper golf etiquette will make you more comfortable regardless of how well you play.

Before swinging into technical golfing tips, read these suggestions that will make your time on the golf course, and that of others, more meaningful and enjoyable. The basic etiquette of golf, outlined to make the sport more enjoyable and safer, is as follows:

• No one should move, talk, or stand close to or directly behind the ball or the hole when a player is addressing the ball or making a stroke.
• Prior to playing a stroke or making a practice swing, the player should ensure that no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs or the like which may be moved by the stroke or swing.
• The player who has the honor (lowest score for a hole) should be allowed to drive first (from the tee) in beginning play on the next hole.
• No player should hit the ball from the tee until the players ahead are out of range.
• Play should be conducted without delay of any sort.
• Players searching for a ball should allow other players coming up to pass them by making an appropriate signal and should not continue their play until those players have passed and are out of range.
• Before leaving a bunker, a player should carefully fill up all holes made by him therein.
• Players should ensure that any turf cut or displaced by them on fairways or greens is replaced at once and pressed down.
• Players should ensure that, when dropping golf bags or the flagstick (used to mark the hole), no damage is done to the putting green, and that neither they nor their caddies damage the hole by standing close to the hole or by mishandling the flagstick.
• The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before the players leave the putting green.
• Players should not damage the putting green by leaning on their putters, particularly when removing the ball from the hole.
• On completion of the hole by all players in the group, damage to the putting green caused by golf shoe spikes should be repaired.
• When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.
• Local notices regulating the movement of golf carts should be strictly observed.

Used with permission from Freeman River RV Park

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