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Golf etiquette tips

Golf etiquette is all about showing consideration to fellow players and the golf course. Here are a few simple rules I had to learn before I stepped onto the course for the first time.

1. Courtesy and common sense

Where to stand

1. I learned that I always have to stand behind and slightly to the right (to the left if a left handed player) of the person hitting the ball.

2. I also need to be sure to not stand too close to a partner hitting a shot as I could get hit in the process!

Shouting ‘fore’

golf etiquette

I had to learn to shout ‘fore’ whenever I hit my ball towards another player as this is a warning to that golfer that he/she is in danger of being hit and gives him/her time get out of the way.

Slow play

While it’s never great to rush playing a golf shot, I had to understand that there are a few things I could do to pick up the pace around the course:

1. Start thinking and preparing for my own shot while my partner is playing, so I can play immediately afterwards.

2. Walk directly to my ball after hitting my tee-shot (only after everyone has teed off).

3. Once I have reached the green, leave my golf bag as close to the next tee as possible to save time getting to the next tee.

4. If my ball lands in the rough and I am not able to find it immediately, ask any players behind me to play through.

2. Bunkers

golf etiquette

1. When addressing the ball in the bunker I am not allowed to touch the sand with my club as this is against the rules.

2. Before leaving a bunker, I always need to be sure to smooth the marks I made by using the rake provided.

3. Fairway

golf etiquette

When hitting off the fairway, it is easy to lift a divot out of the fairway.

I always need to take the time to retrieve the divot, replace it in the hole I created and tread it down securely (I don’t have to replace divots in the rough).

4. On the green

Pitch marks

golf etiquette

1. When the ball lands on the green, it usually makes a small mark where it lands. I must repair these pitch marks, either with a tee-peg or a pitch fork (a tool specifically designed to repair pitch marks).

2. I have to tap the repaired area down with my putter (or shoe), which ensures the damage heals overnight (studies have shown that unrepaired pitch marks can take up to 21 days to heal!).

Spike marks

I must not drag my feet on the green as this will cause spike marks which cannot be repaired when in the line of play.

Placing the pin

golf etiquette

1. I should always place the flag gently on the green, not throw or drop it as this could damage the putting surface.

2. I also had to learn to be careful to not walk across the line (between the ball and the hole) of another person’s putt as my shoes will make dents in the green, which could cause the ball to run off-line.

Once the final putt has dropped

When I think of golf etiquette, one of the most important things I have to do, is to shake hands after my round.

I shake hands with my fellow players as soon as the final putt is made on the 18th green (I also make a point of removing my cap before shaking hands).

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