Basic Golf Etiquette
Many golfers take to the sport without the basic understanding of how the game should be
played. Of course, we all know that the game requires a tee, a ball, and clubs, but few
golfers actually take the time to learn the proper etiquette of the game. Lacking this type of
fundamental knowledge can lead to tremendously embarrassing mistakes on the green. Golf is a
great game when digested properly and then studied correctly. It's important to take each step
as it comes and do it right. This article should help you to understand the basics of good
golf etiquette. I think that I can best show you how the game is played by taking you
through the play of one hole with a foursome.
The members of the foursome or twosome hit
in turn. The closest ball to the green hits last and so on. When on the first tee, the order
in which the players hit is decided, this order only pertains to that first shot. The golf
term for this action is honor.
From the very beginning, it is always good to check,
before swinging, to see if the members of your party are out of swinging distance. The
ordinary swing of a golf club can be a deadly blow. Therefore, rules of etiquette are often
rules of safety. Everyone in the group should be standing to one side or sitting on the
benches, provided by most courses, awaiting their turns to hit, and there should be no talking
on the tee or at any time when an associate is preparing to make his shot. All clubs, bags,
carts and other essentials of the game should be left off the teeing ground.
Don't
practice your swing while other members of your group are hitting, and don't stand behind the
tee. Stay behind the player - to his back. It is easy to see a player out of the corner of
your eye and that little thing could be distracting and result in a missed shot.
When
the entire party has completed their first shots, walk directly in the line with your ball.
But if another player has hit short of your ball wait for him to complete his second swing.
This is another item of etiquette protecting the safety of the players and the skill of the
hitter. Like the swing of the club, the flight of the ball can be dangerous. If players walk
in front of another who is hitting, the distraction could cause a missed shot and the result
can be injury to a companion.
Before you get going to far, one of the most important
points of golf etiquette is waving through. Never hold up a group playing behind you. If you
are slower than they are wave them on and wait until they have safely gotten out of range
before you continue.
If you game is anything like mine, when you take your first drive,
you may have to contend with that familiar obstacle ? the rough. When your ball is in the
rough, Nothing rooted may be removed to allow an easier shot. It is all right to remove dead
wood, grass or leaves, providing the ball does not move. Be very careful here!
When it's
virtually impossible to hit your ball, you may declare it unplayable. It is then allowable to
pick the ball up, move two club lengths away from the obstacle (not nearer the hole) and drop
the ball over your shoulder. But this isn't for free-you have to add two strokes to your
score. In winter time, and during wet weather, it is sometimes permissible to lift your ball
and drop it again for a better position. Also, around some clubs players move their balls to a
choice spot with their hands. This always pertains to balls in the fairway.
Once you
reach your ball and prepare to approach the green, study the lay of the land. Remember, when
your ball is hit out of the fairway nothing can be removed to improve the lie of the ball
unless it is dead matter. In rough, or woods, players can pick up dead limbs, leaves, paper or
cut grass. But growing bushes, roots, tall grass must remain in place.
In traps or on
the fringes of bunkers the player can move only things that were, perhaps, left there by
careless course attendants. This would only include rakes, lawn mowers and other equipment
used in caring for a golf course. These technicalities make it a 'must' to know your
rules.
Your iron shots from the fairway will often dig up the grass, roots and all. This
piece of turf, called a divot, should be picked up by you or your caddy and put back in its
place, packing it down well with your foot.
Now that the group has reached the green,
other rules of golf and etiquette will come into use. As each player shoots the caddy faces
them and lifts the stick so that the ball may have freedom of the hole if it has the proper
direction. Without caddies, the player in the group with the ball closest to the cup has the
obligation on holding the stick for his companions. When his time comes to hit, another member
of the party holds the stick for him.
Should another player's ball be blocking your line
to the hole, then you may ask him to mark and remove it. The marking is usually done with a
coin. If your ball is in such a position that it might interfere with a player's approach to
the hole, it is always good to ask him if he would like it marked. Don't just walk up and grab
your ball or the ball of a fellow member of your group.
Some players make the mistake of
entering a sand trap by climbing into it from the high side, but a following player may be
penalized by having his ball come to rest in one of the deep footprints left behind. Tearing
down the sides of traps and then leaving without repairing the damage is an inexcusable breach
of etiquette. Also, when you are in a sand trap, be careful that your club does not touch the
sand, even in your address, until you are actually making the downward swing of the club in
your stroke.
Putting on the green is handled in the same way as is hitting from the
fairway. The ball which lies the greatest distance from the hole is putted first, and so on
down the line until the closest man plays. Then the process is repeated until the entire group
has played the hole out.
Remember, a careful study of the rules of play and etiquette
can do more to insure enjoyment than any other one thing. Thousands of tiny, intricate
situations can arise in golf. Don't hesitate to seek the knowledge of your pro. That's part of
his job. Your aim is to be a polite as well as a skillful golfer. The two go hand in hand. To
know the rules, leads to confidence. And confidence is the key to your quick success in this
new undertaking.
