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Golf Etiquette: Silence Is The Golden Rule

Golf is a game that requires a high degree of concentration and demands that you focus on what you are doing if you are to succeed. This means eliminating distractions as far as is possible and ensuring that you do not yourself become a distraction for your fellow players.

If you look at many sporting events around the world today you will see boisterous and excited crowds singing, chanting and cheering on their team and, in the middle of this, the players are expected to give of their best and produce a performance which is worthy of note. The same cannot however be said of the world of golf where spectators and fans are remarkably quiet and where stillness and silence descends as player prepare to take a shot.

Golf is a game which provides enjoyment on many different levels and is not simply about making good shots and improving on your personal record. It is also very much about enjoying the wonders of nature on a beautiful day and the company of good friends. This enjoyment for you however also means being respectful of other players so that they too may enjoy their round of golf in the same fashion and this means making as little noise as you can while out on the course. This doesn't mean you cannot chat as you walk the course, but it does mean doing so quietly and being conscious of just how easily sound carries in the open.

While golf is a quiet game which demands your respect for other players, there is one situation in which that respect extends to remaining still and silent, without even a whispered conversation.

Whenever a player is getting ready to take a shot you should stop moving around, stay as still as possible and stop talking altogether. Imagine yourself getting ready for a big shot when, out of the corner of your eye, you see a fellow player taking a practice swing. Believe me, nothing is more frustrating.

Now some people do find it difficult to stand still and have to be on the go all the time. If you are one of these people then it is not necessarily a problem and if you must take a practice swing or fiddle around with something then go ahead and do so, but just make sure that you completely out of the field of view of your fellow players as they prepare to take their shots.

Golf etiquette is not as complicated as many people would have you believe and simply respecting your fellow players and affording them the courtesy which you would like them to afford you will go a long way to keeping you out of trouble and ensuring that everyone has an enjoyable game of golf.

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