Golf Etiquette, Part I

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Golf is somewhat unique in that there is an entire code of etiquette to guide us. The Rules of Golf tell us how the game is played, but the rules of etiquette tell us how to go about it.

I worked at a course for about five seasons while I was in college and have been a player and fan of the game for many years. It saddens me when people who know proper etiquette refuse to do the small things that make the game fun for everyone as if their greens fee gives them ownership of the course. I’ve also come to realize that many people just don’t know many of the details about golf etiquette. I wanted to spend a little time going over the basics so that those who don’t know will get an introduction. I’m also hoping that those who know proper etiquette but ignore it will have a change of heart.

Pace of Play

Pace of play is a huge problem in the United States. It’s surprising because if you spend any time on the highways, you’d think that no one has a second to spare in their lives. On the golf course, there’s no reason for rounds to take as long as they do. A foursome should be able to play most courses in no more than 4 1/2 hours with some even faster. Here are some tips to help you keep play moving during your round.

• Keep up with the group ahead of you. If there is a hole open ahead of you, you’re playing too slowly. It’s understandable that sometimes things happen like losing track of a ball in the rough. If you’re falling behind, invite the group behind to play through while you search and then do your best to increase your pace.
• When it is your turn, be ready to play. You should be planning your shot and taking practice swings while your playing partners are hitting (as long as you can do so without distracting anyone).
• When a ball may be lost or out of bounds, play a provisional ball to save the time of having to go back to the tee to re-hit.
• When sharing a cart with another player, drop your partner off at his ball and drive to your ball so that you both will be ready to hit when it’s time.
• If you do fall behind, play “ready golf” until you catch up. When playing ready golf, you hit when you are ready, as opposed to when it would normally be your turn.

Care for the Course

By it’s very nature, golf is damaging to the course. It takes a whole crew of maintenance workers to keep it in the best playing condition. Some of the wear and tear can’t be helped, but there are several things players can do to minimize the damage and keep the course in the best condition for the players who come after you.

• Repair ball marks. When your ball hits the green, it usually will make a ball mark that left unfixed, will cause the putting surface to be very bumpy. To repair a ball mark, use a divot repair tool or tee to work the grass around the mark toward the center. Don’t pry up the center of the depression. When you’re done, lightly smooth out the repair with the bottom of your putter. When fixing a ball mark, try to fix a second one as well to take up the slack for the people who refuse to do it.
• Repair spike marks. The Rules of Golf forbid you from repairing spike marks in your line of putt. However, after you’re finished, it’s good practice to tamp down any marks that your spikes have created to allow players behind you to have a smooth putting surface.
• When using carts, always follow the rules laid out by the course. Many times, carts are not allowed in certain areas because they are sensitive to traffic or because they’re wet or pose some other hazard. Riding through these areas on purpose without some sort of authorization (like if you’re disabled) is simple laziness. For instance, there’s almost no excuse for driving into areas that are roped off. This is a pet peeve of mine after having been a course ranger for a while. You’d be amazed at how many people tell you they “didn’t see the ropes” after you watch them hold the rope down with their foot as they carefully drive over it.
• When using carts, try to avoid areas that are beaten up. For instance, many times people will enter the rough in a certain spot, eventually wearing a path. Avoid areas like that and enter the rough in a different spot if you are able.
• Repair divots. You should check with the pro shop about the policy for divot repair at each course. Some prefer that you not replace the original divot, but instead fill the hole with a sandy divot mix. Other courses prefer that you replace the original divot. Sometimes the divots completely blow apart and can’t be replaced. If that happens, there’s not much you can do.
• Always rake bunkers. This is another one of my pet peeves. It’s staggering how many people refuse to rake bunkers. There’s nothing worse than ending up in a bunker in someone else’s foot print. It literally only takes a few seconds to rake out your divot and foot prints. There’s simply no excuse for not doing it (assuming there are rakes available).

Tomorrow, I’ll follow this up with Part II, where I’ll cover safety as well as consideration for fellow players and course employees.