Golf Instruction
Golf Etiquette: Ten Unwritten Rules to Follow
When playing a friendly round of golf with your buddies the more highly technical rules of golf may not matter much to you. For example, may golfers may take mulligans, give free drops, or alter the rules in some other way that keeps the round friendly, relaxed, and non-competitive.
However, there are a few unwritten rules of golf that player should abide by, no matter how informal the round might be. These simple tips will keep the round cordial and prevent you from angering anyone else on the course (some of whom may be playing a serious or more competitive round themselves).
#1 – Fore!
We all shank shots left and right, on other fairways and greens or maybe even backyards. Perhaps the most well known unwritten rule in golf is screaming “Fore!” when you are in jeopardy of hitting someone else on the golf course with your ball. Odds are that you will not hit anybody, but if you come close and you don’t scream “fore,” you’ll anger someone and it could potentially get you in trouble. Yelling “fore” is the universal way of letting other golfers know that there is a golf ball headed in their direction and it’s common courtesy in a game with inherent dangers of being accidentally struck by another player’s golf ball.
#2 – Get Off My Line
While most golfers obey this rule, some continue to break it simply because they’re not aware of it. It is always good golf etiquette to avoid walking in the line of a player’s ball on the green and the hole (“the line” meaning the path between where the player’s ball lies and the hole). Simple put, your shoe imprint in the line could alter the direction of the ball causing the player to miss the putt.
#3 – Shut up already!
When a player is teeing off, putting, or hitting any other shot, quit yapping with your buddies and let them hit in silence. Complete focus is essential in golf – that’s why you see people on the PGA TOUR with signs held up high staying “quiet”.
#4 – Use the Rake; That’s Why it’s There
Are you really that lazy that you can’t rake the bunker after your done hitting from it? Far too many people don’t realize that it has less to do with proper grounds keeping on the course, and more to do with being courteous towards the other golfers who land in that same trap. The last thing you want to do is land your shot into someone’s sandy shoe imprint – because you can’t improve that lie! So, whenever you’ve finished playing a shot from the bunker make sure to go back and rake and smooth any marks made by your feet, club, or ball.
#5 – Who Goes First?
It is important to acknowledge the player with the best score on the previous hole by allowing them to tee off first. It gives that person the “honor” of starting the next hole off. Once each player’s ball is in play you may then transition to allow the person furthest from the hole to go first until the hole is completed. But, be sure to stand back, not driving your cart in front of them to get to your ball, and try to keep out of their eye sight.
When playing a friendly match, you and your playing partners can all mutually agree to disregard the “honors” etiquette in favor of playing “ready golf” in order to finish the round faster. “Ready golf” meaning whichever player arrives to the tee first, ready to tee off, is allowed to do so, no matter who won the honors from the previous hole. This little collective etiquette breach can go a long way in keeping your spouse from yelling at you for being on the golf course for 6 hours on a Sunday.
#6 – If You Made the Divot, You Fix It
Many times a tee or fairway shot will result in a large divot being taken from the ground. Don’t disrespect the golf course and maintenance staff by not filling the divot or placing the chunk of grass back in its mark. Many golf carts and tees now have a filling mixture located near by that you can pour into the divot. These mixtures contain dirt, grass seed, and fertilizer, which helps to rapidly regrow the grass you’ve dug up with your club. Replacing or filling your divots keeps the course playable for future rounds.
#7 – ‘Cart Path Only’ Means Just That
Golf courses may have certain holes that do not drain as well as others. It is therefore up to the discretion of the golf course to place “cart path only” rules on certain or all the holes. They aren’t putting this rule into affect to upset you and make you walk to your ball (although a little walking can be good for you!), but rather to keep the course in great shape for all of its players year round. Disregarding these rules may just end up with you being reprimanded by the course officials, or worse, embarrassingly stuck with your cart in the mud!
#8 – Hats Off Please
A lot of people don’t know that it is a matter of respect to remove your cap on the final hole of the match when shaking hands with your opponents. You’ll notice the pros doing it every time on the TOUR without hesitation – even their caddies. Just don’t dilly-dally on the 18th green. There most likely will be others behind you looking to finish the hole so remove your hat, shake hands, thank your partners for an enjoyable round, and leave the green.
#9 – Don’t Forget the Tee
So you just hit the ‘big-boy’ shot down the fairway and you’re bursting with confidence…but you did one thing wrong. You left your tee in the ground and forgot to remove it – come on! Leaving your tee behind annoys other golfers and creates more work for the grounds keepers. Simply admire your shot, keep it professional, then bend down and pick up your tee, discarding it in the garbage if it’s broken.
#10 – Um, Your Shadow
When standing on the green while others are putting, make sure your shadow is not in their line – its rude, and it can cause the player who’s putting to misread the green. Be mindful of where you’re standing and if the light is casting your shadow across the player’s line, or the hole, politely move back and out of the way until your shadow is no longer in sight.
By following these simple unwritten golf etiquette rules, you’ll be sure to have a more pleasant time on the course. So get out there, remember to be courteous, treat other golfers as you would like to be treated, and try to leave the course looking as good, if not better than you found it.
-
News1 week ago
WATCH: Viral Clip Shows Justin Thomas Aiming Tee Shot Directly at Fans
-
Fantasy Golf Predictions1 week ago
Fantasy Golf Picks, Odds, and Predictions – 2024 PLAYERS Championship
-
Equipment4 days ago
Titleist Golf Balls: Which Model is Best for Your Game?
-
News1 week ago
Tiger Woods’ Power Behind the Scenes Grows With New Board Position
-
News7 days ago
Breaking Down Scottie Scheffler’s Putting Revolution at Bay Hill
-
Fantasy Golf Predictions18 hours ago
Fantasy Golf Picks, Odds, and Predictions – 2024 Valspar Championship
-
Apparel1 week ago
STITCH Golf has Some Incredible Spring Forward Deals
-
News5 days ago
Adam Hadwin Chucks a Club Into Lake at the 18th at The PLAYERS