One of the most complex and unique things about the Game of Golf is “Golf Etiquette”.  While etiquette is typically learned on the course, please read through this Blog to help you better understand the proper etiquette on the course.  I will show bulletin points on Playing, Course, and Pace of Play etiquette in this Blog.

Playing Etiquette

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• Showing up for your tee time at least fifteen minutes prior
• Practice putting. Please do not use more than 2 balls – Putting green real estate can be used by more members.  Try not using 10 balls to practice
• Looking more than three minutes for a lost ball.  Come to peace with the balls disappearance and move on
• When a playing partner is swinging or putting, try to stand out of his or her line of vision
• Please do not stand behind someone while they are putting or hitting a golf shot
• Not walking in a player’s line on the putting green
• Be aware of your shadow on the putting green.  Please do not stand in a place that causes your shadow to be cast across another player or that player’s putting line
• Silence is golden.  As a courtesy, do not move or make any noise when a fellow player hits a golf shot
• Keep the cell phone on silent and please do not answer or make calls on the course
• Mark down the scores on the next tee and not on the hole being played

Course Etiquette

• Filling Divots on the course with sand provided on carts and par 3 tee boxes
• Repair your ball mark and one other on the green
• Rake bunkers after use and knock off your shoes before walking on the green
• Place the sand rakes outside of the bunkers
• Avoid wet areas and follow directional signs or ropes.  Please step over ropes instead of stepping on the ropes
• Picking up broken tees which will help prevent damage to costly mower reels
• Keeping all four wheels on the cart path near tees and greens
• When entering the fairway, use different paths not to make ruts on the course

Pace of Play Etiquette

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• Maintain a good pace
• Keep the round moving by being prepared to hit your shot when it is your turn
• The player that is away hits first in a group.  However, in friendly games, this rule can be ignored in favor of ready golf.  Players hit when they are ready
• Always try to keep the pace with the group ahead of you
• Hit and Sit
• When two players in a cart hit to opposite sides of a hole, drive your cart to the first ball and drop the player off with a few clubs, then drive to the second ball.  After both players hit, meet up further down the hole.
• Cart path only- use the sand bottles to fill your divot and carry more than one club to your ball instead of going back to the cart for another club.  This takes more time that necessary
• Always leave the putting green as soon as your group has finished putting

There are numerous bits of Etiquette I haven’t mentioned, like lying the flagstick on the ground carefully, tamping down spike marks when you are walking off the green, and so on.  Following these few tips will allow better playing conditions for the entire membership.  Just know that golf has a way of returning favors, and every piece of etiquette you practice will be repaid.

Thank you,

Jeff Carter, Head Golf Pro