Golf etiquette guidelines: Six absolutes for beginning golfers

[caption id="attachment_3522" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Golf Etiquette. (Photo by: Arterra/UIG via Getty Images)[/caption]rn Golf etiquette and pace of play are as important for beginners as for experienced players! rnGolf etiquette sometimes means different things to golfers who are new to the game than to "old pros" - those crusty old timers who know every break on the greens at your home course.rnrnThis isn't a "beat up on beginners" communique. Golf sins are universal, and committed by both beginners and the most experienced player. But, my experience shows, anyway, that etiquette lapses are committed more often by beginning players.rnrnRegardless of age, or skill level, or sex, and even regardless of whether you are for, or against, rolling back the distance a golf ball travels, golf is golf. Some of the easiest-to-correct golf violations have little to do with rules , and everything to do with common courtesy.rnrnThe following six things you shouldn't do would appear on just about anyone's list. If you want to be the playing partner that everyone wants in their foursome-and who doesn't - avoid the following golf etiquette blunders. rnrn[nextslide teaser="Be Ready To Play" slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_3020" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Vintage illustration of a wealthy couple with their travel luggage and golf clubs leaving for a vacation; lithograph, 1910. (Photo by GraphicaArtis/Getty Images)[/caption]rn Not Playing Ready Golf rnI don't think I play fast golf, but it's rare that I'm not ready to play when it's my turn. If anything, sometimes I need to actually slow down and take more time on the greens reading a putt than I now do.rnrnI've found that a good way to introduce "ready golf" into my round is to simply ask or suggest that we all play ready golf before we tee off on the first hole. That helps set the stage and gives everyone permission to ease back from the more formal golf protocol, deciding who's away and who has the tee box honors.rn Play Away! rnIf you aren't in match play competition, play away if you are ready and your playing partners aren't. One thing that will get you invited back to play with me is playing when you're ready.rnrnJust a couple of examples would be:rn rn t It's a cart path only day, and your ball is next to the path, and therefore next to the cart. Your partner's ball is on the other side of the fairway. Don't wait until she walks all the way over to her ball, figures out which club she's going to hit, then plays her shot. You're five yards closer to the green? So what? Line it up and hit it while she's walking to her ball; rn t You're in the fairway, your partner is in the bunker but didn't realize it and has the wrong club. While she walks back to change clubs, go ahead and go through your routine and play your shot while she's working on her plan B. She will appreciate the pace of play initiative. And so will the group behind you! rn rnAgain, I'm not talking about the club tournament here. I'm talking about your Saturday morning, or Sunday afternoon round; or your Friday evening mixed couples league outing. Be thinking about your shot ahead of time, and "commit and hit."rnrnAfter you've hit, keep your club, get back in the cart, and wait until your partner gets to his or her ball, then put your club away. That simple act can save 30 seconds a hole; ten minutes a round. Times two people is twenty minutes a round. It starts to add up!rnrn[nextslide teaser="No One Controls the Cart" slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_3022" align="aligncenter" width="850"] (Photo by Robert VAN DER HILST/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)[/caption]rn Practice Shared Cart Management rnIf you're a beginner, it's understandable that you would allow the more experienced player to be the cart-driver. Even with two experienced golfers together, the one who knows the course better will usually drive the cart.rnrnAND- it's a rare occurrence (and in fact, I don't think I can ever remember seeing it) when a man and woman are playing together, that the man isn't driving the cart. I was gently reminded that this actually begins at the bag drop area. The bag and cart attendants (almost universally male), typically place the man's golf bag in the driving position. Men usually drive - whether it's the car, the boat, the RV (or their girlfriend crazy). That being said, ladies, if you want to drive, say you'd like to drive.rnrnBUT- no matter who has the wheel, cart management is a joint responsibility , especially as you get closer to the green. The golf cart driver, whoever it is, is only that - the driver. He (or she) doesn't dictate logistics. Both play the hole.rnrnAs an example: Typically, one player will be on the green, or just off, and one won't be. If you are in the passenger seat, and your ball is on the green, take the lead. Don't allow the fact you're a beginner, or less experienced, keep you from taking charge and saying, "I'll take the cart up."rnrnIn any round of golf, both players are responsible for cart management. Suggest that your partner grab her wedge and putter and you'll meet her on the green. If you're shot is the one on the green, you get to keep the cart and drive up. It's the reward for hitting a better shot!rnrn[nextslide teaser="Grab An Extra Ball" slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_3023" align="aligncenter" width="850"] (Photo by Khris Hale/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)[/caption]rn Fail to Have an Extra Ball Ready rnPicture this scenario: The course isn't crowded, there is no one behind you, and you shank your tee shot. Which of the following happens next?rn rn t You grab the spare ball out of your pocket, re-tee it, and launch it down the middle (By doing so, you join the millions of golfers worldwide who can play par golf on their second ball); or, rn t You have to walk over to the cart, dig into your bag, and find another ball, then walk back to the tee for attempt #2. rn rn Don't do that rnIf there is a pocket, it should have an extra ball in it. Especially if it's that Sunday late-afternoon 9-hole outing on a crowded golf course.rnrnNot that I would ever hit a ball so badly that I'd need to re-tee one (ahem, cough, cough . . . ), but on the off-chance that it could happen, I always have an extra ball in my back pocket. If I, for some unexplained reason, would need to hit that theoretical provisional ball, my next move is automatic. On my way back to the cart, I immediately grab another ball and reload my back pocket.rnrnAs a beginner, get in the habit of having another ball at the ready. At the very least, keep one (or two) in the cup holder or extra ball holder in the cart. Then, you can at least say, "Please throw me another ball."rnrn[Notice how these are all pace-of-play suggestions?]rnrn[nextslide teaser="Golf is Serious Business" slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_3024" align="aligncenter" width="850"] (Photo by Tiffany Rose/WireImage)[/caption]rn Don't assume it's going to be all social rnYou may be a beginner, but don't approach a golf outing as a "party first; golf second" event. Most everyone else in the foursome (or outing) isn't going to have that mindset.rnrnIf you're playing with three other sorority sisters and reminiscing is the primary objective, then sure. And if you're playing with your college suite-mates or with your cousins who haven't played golf since last Thanksgiving, and it's a chance to catch up on the families, then sure. But those are exceptions and you know that going to the first tee.rnrnTo be sure, there are different kinds of golf rounds. How can a beginner figure out the difference between a purely social outing and a more focused round of golf?rnrnIf your foursome is keeping score, reporting strokes to each other as they leave the green, and or wagering on the round, you're probably playing a focused round of golf.rnrnIf you're playing in a league or if scores will be posted while you're having lunch, you're probably playing a focused round of golf.rnrnEven though you're a beginner, in these golf contexts you're also a golfer and it's very likely your playing partners want you to take the game seriously. That means keeping an accurate score and following basic golf rules. This doesn't mean you can't also be social, friendly, and considerate. It's a balancing act.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Be Smart With the Smartphone" slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_3025" align="aligncenter" width="850"] (Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images)[/caption]rn Ignoring Cell Phone Etiquette rnI don't know if there is an official designation for "cell phone etiquette", but that's what I'm calling it. There are at least three parts to cell phone courtesy:rn rn t The great, great majority of time, your phone is on silent. And other than checking the time, you're not looking at it. Looking at (and responding to) your phone regularly? Can't stop texting? Then maybe this wasn't a good day to play golf; rn t For those important exceptions when it's not on silent, announce to your playing partners before the first tee that it isn't, and why (You're waiting for a call about the birth of your grandchild is a good reason; you're waiting for a call on the results of the fourth race at Keeneland, not so much). rn t When you have to take a call, unless it's impossible otherwise, step away from those still playing. Unless you're in a tournament, skip a shot or two in order to not hold everyone else up. I guarantee you that a) everyone is going to be happy for you about the new grandchild, and b) everyone is also going to be happy that you aren't holding up your group, and those in the group behind. rn rnHowever, there are times when using your smart phone is perfectly acceptable. Taking photos is one. Photos of the foursome on the first tee is not only acceptable, but appreciated. Taking a few photos of the course's signature hole is certainly appropriate. Plus, no one in your group will complain if you announce you'll get everyone's emails at the end of the round and share the photos.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Just Be Considerate" slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_3026" align="aligncenter" width="850"] (Photo by J Rogash/Getty Images)[/caption]rn Violating General Golf Etiquette rnI've only seen basic golf etiquette violated a handful of times. In each case it was unintentional, and by someone who had just taken up the game.rnrnFor some reason, experienced players are more polite to their playing partners than to the course itself. We don't talk, or move during a stroke, but fail to fill fairway divots. We fight each other to pull the pin, or put it back, but won't repair a ball mark. Breaches of etiquette aren't against our opponent. More likely these lapses are against the course itself.rnrn[recentposts thiscategory="no" /]rnrnWe men have a deserved reputation of being rude to the course, and exceedingly polite to our partners. But just because you see experienced players behaving badly, it doesn't give you permission to do the same. I can say with confidence that being polite and respectful to your playing companions, and to the course, is a win-win every time.rnrnPracticing the following will make you a favored partner and most likely to be invited back:rn rn t Be prepared and ready to play when it's your turn rn t Remain silent and still when someone is getting ready to hit rn t Don't walk in someone's putting line, i.e. between their ball and the hole rn t Pull the flagstick if you're closest to it when others are putting, and grab it and put it back in the hole if you've already putted out but others are finishing up rn rnThere are others, but those are the big four.rnrnRemember these six suggestions and you'll fit in with any group anywhere.rnrn[nextpost teaser="Rules%20of%20Golf%3A%20A%20history%20of%20courtesy%20and%20common%20sense" url="https://foregals.com/2017/12/14/rules-of-golf-history/" /]rnrn rnrn[apply_now site_url="http://www.foregals.com" /]rnrn[fs_video id="5750088171001" source="hellogiggles"]rnrnAbove all, relax and enjoy your round. Celebrate your good shots and compliment those of your playing partners. Let your bad shots go and don't comment on other's whiffs.

ForeGals

Golf etiquette guidelines: Six absolutes for beginning golfers

Golf etiquette and pace of play are as important for beginners as for experienced players!

Newsletter

Your LPGA Tour.
Your Inbox. Every Day.