Golf Etiquette: First Simple Rules

You should never “push” the group that is ahead of you in the links. This is considered boorish behavior and not in the grand spirit of the game. You must wait your turn, no matter how badly you want to hit that ball!

It’s never cool to “push” the group in front of you. If you are playing with others, wait for your turn to hit the ball; never hit at the same time as another player.

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.

Finding you ball is a good way to spend waiting time. Next determine the club you will need for the next shot. You will be following the rules while hopefully gaining an advantage for yourself, positioning the next shot for a good shot at the hole. This is called “ready golf.”

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 knock that big clod of dirt out of the fairway, be sure to replace it. No one likes to have their ball diverted by holes in the fairway. If you want to play, make sure your divots don’t drive anyone else crazy. Make double sure of this when playing on the green. On every hole, replace the flag after play. This allows the next player to know where the hole is and not have to guess. Don’t tarry on the green, leave so the next person or group can play through. Be sure to keep score in a timely manner. It is hard to remember the strokes from hole 3 when you are at hole 7, or on the back nine.

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!

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