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Golf Tips For Beginners
Golfing Etiquette
Unlike many games golf is played without a referee or umpire and thus it relies upon the integrity of individual players to adhere to the rules of the game and to show consideration for other players. But just what does this mean?
Golfing etiquette can be broken down into a number of different headings:
Safety
You must be constantly aware of the position of other golfers with whom you are playing to insure that they are not hit by your golf club, ball or debris such as stones and twigs when playing a shot or taking a practice swing.
In addition, you should not play your ball until you are satisfied that any players in front of you are well out of range. This will also apply to members of the golf course staff or public who may be in front of you.
Where a shot is likely to endanger somebody then you should always shout a warning which traditionally in such situations is issued by shouting the word 'fore'.
Showing Consideration For Other Players
Electronic devices such as mobile phones should not be taken onto the golf course and you should avoid moving, talking or making a noise while other golfers are playing a shot.
In addition, you should not stand close to or directly behind the ball when another golfer is taking a shot. On the putting green, do not stand directly behind the hole or on the line of another player's putt and do not stand in a position which will cast a shadow over another player's putting line. You should also remain on, or close to the green, until all players in your group have putted out. On the teeing ground, do not tee your ball until it is your turn to play.
If you are acting as the marker in stroke play, it is considered courteous to check and record the score with the player concerned if necessary on the way to the next teeing ground.
The Pace Of Play
You should always play a course at a reasonable speed and abide by any guidelines which individual club committees may lay down for the pace of a game at a particular course.
You should always try to keep pace with the group playing ahead of you and, should you fall behind to the point at which you are delaying the group following you, you should stand aside and let them play through.
You should always be ready to play your shot as soon as the player ahead of you has completed his shot and, when on the putting green, should position golf bags, carts etc. close to the green so that you can clear the green quickly as soon as the final member of your group has putted out.
In the event that you lose a ball which is believed to be, for example in a water hazard or out of bounds, then you should always play a provisional shot and, when searching for a lost ball, should clearly signal to the following group to play through while you attempt to find the ball. You should not then resume play until the following group has played through and are out of range.
Priority On The Course
Unless the committee decides otherwise priority on the course will normally be decided by the pace of play. However, any group playing a whole round will have priority over a group playing a shorter round. In this context a 'group' may apply to a single player.
Caring For The Course
You should take particular care to maintain the course in three particular areas:
- Bunkers.
Carefully fill in any holes and smooth over footmarks made in the bunker. On most courses a rake will be provided for this purpose.
- Divots, Ball and Shoe Marks.
You should carefully repair any divot marks made during play as well as any marks made by balls landing on the putting green. When all players have finished putting any marks made by the players' shoes should also be repaired.
- Avoiding Unnecessary Damage.
- You should avoid damaging the course by insuring that any divots made during practice swings are repaired, together with any marks made by the impact of the club head on the ground.
- Avoid damage to the green by placing such items as bags and the flagstick off the putting surface.
- Avoid damaging the hole by not standing too close to it and by taking care when removing your ball from the cup. You should never use the head of your putter to remove your ball from the cup.
- You should not lean on your putter when on the green and, in particular, should be careful to avoid doing so when retrieving your ball from the cup.
- Most courses will have rules for the use of golf carts clearly displayed on notices around the course and these should be strictly observed.
Additional reading:
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