The Great Game of Golf

Golf is a dignified game of rules and manners, and it's important to know the basics before you play for the first time. Whether you are playing alone, in a twosome or a foursome, you must wait your turn. You must keep aware of the group on the next hole

Never "push" the group that is ahead of you in the links. This is consider behavior that is boorish and not in the spirit of the game. You must wait your turn, no matter how badly you want to smack the ball.

Turns are taken in first come, first served order. And, if you get ahead of the person in front of you, they should wave you through, allowing you to play at your own pace.

Another way of keeping the game pleasant is to wave players through if they are close behind you in play. This does two things: makes the whole golf course play smooth for you and others and encourages others keep etiquette in mind.

Replace your divots. When, in the fairway, you hit the ball and a clod of dirt and grass goes flying, replace it. On some courses you just put the clod back and step on it to press it on; on most courses, there is a sand/seed mixture on your card to put into the divot. If your ball makes a deep impression when it lands on the green, use your divot tool to repair it.

When you create a divot, you must put it back. Players hate to hit a ball down the fairway, or across the green and have its path diverted or stopped by a missing piece of grass. Leave the course better than you found it. Replace the flag after play, this allows the next player to get the "lie" of the course. Don't hang around on the green. Write your score down and move on.

Of course, there are many more rules of golf, but these simple ones will enable you to get through the course without coming to blows with anyone. Etiquette must be observed for everyone to enjoy the game!