Golf Information sponsered by Indy Golf Shop

Basic Golf Etiquette


Many golfers take to the sport without the basic understanding of how the game should be played. Of course, we all know that the game requires a tee, a ball, and clubs, but few golfers actually take the time to learn the proper etiquette of the game. Lacking this type of fundamental knowledge can lead to tremendously embarrassing mistakes on the green. Golf is a great game when digested properly and then studied correctly. It's important to take each step as it comes and do it right. This article should help you to understand the basics of good golf etiquette. I think that I can best show you how the game is played by taking you through the play of one hole with a foursome.

The members of the foursome or twosome hit in turn. The closest ball to the green hits last and so on. When on the first tee, the order in which the players hit is decided, this order only pertains to that first shot. The golf term for this action is honor.

From the very beginning, it is always good to check, before swinging, to see if the members of your party are out of swinging distance. The ordinary swing of a golf club can be a deadly blow. Therefore, rules of etiquette are often rules of safety. Everyone in the group should be standing to one side or sitting on the benches, provided by most courses, awaiting their turns to hit, and there should be no talking on the tee or at any time when an associate is preparing to make his shot. All clubs, bags, carts and other essentials of the game should be left off the teeing ground.

Don't practice your swing while other members of your group are hitting, and don't stand behind the tee. Stay behind the player - to his back. It is easy to see a player out of the corner of your eye and that little thing could be distracting and result in a missed shot.

When the entire party has completed their first shots, walk directly in the line with your ball. But if another player has hit short of your ball wait for him to complete his second swing. This is another item of etiquette protecting the safety of the players and the skill of the hitter. Like the swing of the club, the flight of the ball can be dangerous. If players walk in front of another who is hitting, the distraction could cause a missed shot and the result can be injury to a companion.

Before you get going to far, one of the most important points of golf etiquette is waving through. Never hold up a group playing behind you. If you are slower than they are wave them on and wait until they have safely gotten out of range before you continue.

If you game is anything like mine, when you take your first drive, you may have to contend with that familiar obstacle - the rough. When your ball is in the rough, Nothing rooted may be removed to allow an easier shot. It is all right to remove dead wood, grass or leaves, providing the ball does not move. Be very careful here!

When it's virtually impossible to hit your ball, you may declare it unplayable. It is then allowable to pick the ball up, move two club lengths away from the obstacle (not nearer the hole) and drop the ball over your shoulder. But this isn't for free-you have to add two strokes to your score. In winter time, and during wet weather, it is sometimes permissible to lift your ball and drop it again for a better position. Also, around some clubs players move their balls to a choice spot with their hands. This always pertains to balls in the fairway.

Once you reach your ball and prepare to approach the green, study the lay of the land. Remember, when your ball is hit out of the fairway nothing can be removed to improve the lie of the ball unless it is dead matter. In rough, or woods, players can pick up dead limbs, leaves, paper or cut grass. But growing bushes, roots, tall grass must remain in place.

In traps or on the fringes of bunkers the player can move only things that were, perhaps, left there by careless course attendants. This would only include rakes, lawn mowers and other equipment used in caring for a golf course. These technicalities make it a 'must' to know your rules.

Your iron shots from the fairway will often dig up the grass, roots and all. This piece of turf, called a divot, should be picked up by you or your caddy and put back in its place, packing it down well with your foot.

Now that the group has reached the green, other rules of golf and etiquette will come into use. As each player shoots the caddy faces them and lifts the stick so that the ball may have freedom of the hole if it has the proper direction. Without caddies, the player in the group with the ball closest to the cup has the obligation on holding the stick for his companions. When his time comes to hit, another member of the party holds the stick for him.

Should another player's ball be blocking your line to the hole, then you may ask him to mark and remove it. The marking is usually done with a coin. If your ball is in such a position that it might interfere with a player's approach to the hole, it is always good to ask him if he would like it marked. Don't just walk up and grab your ball or the ball of a fellow member of your group.

Some players make the mistake of entering a sand trap by climbing into it from the high side, but a following player may be penalized by having his ball come to rest in one of the deep footprints left behind. Tearing down the sides of traps and then leaving without repairing the damage is an inexcusable breach of etiquette. Also, when you are in a sand trap, be careful that your club does not touch the sand, even in your address, until you are actually making the downward swing of the club in your stroke.

Putting on the green is handled in the same way as is hitting from the fairway. The ball which lies the greatest distance from the hole is putted first, and so on down the line until the closest man plays. Then the process is repeated until the entire group has played the hole out.

Remember, a careful study of the rules of play and etiquette can do more to insure enjoyment than any other one thing. Thousands of tiny, intricate situations can arise in golf. Don't hesitate to seek the knowledge of your pro. That's part of his job. Your aim is to be a polite as well as a skillful golfer. The two go hand in hand. To know the rules, leads to confidence. And confidence is the key to your quick success in this new undertaking.

© 2005 BlackCash Enterprises, LLC - All Rights Reserved

~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=

Learn the Mental Weapons to defeat your competition!

Click Here ==> http://www.LostGolfSecrets.com

~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=

*** Notice: eZine editors and Site owners ***

You may reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave all our links in place, do not modify any content and include our resource box as listed above.


MORE RESOURCES:

CBC.ca

Golf notes: Johnson shares Pebble lead; Woods 5 back
Lexington Herald Leader
McIlroy, who won the tournament in 2009 and finished second last month at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, started with six straight pars and a bogey. He sank clutch birdie putts on No. 9 and 11 and missed a hole-in-one on the par-3 15 by a foot.
Five Reasons Why the Pebble Beach Pro-Am Rises Above Other Golf Tournaments ...Yahoo! Sports
Sun Is High and Players Take Turns Going LowNew York Times
Tiger gets his PGA Tour season off to solid startSan Jose Mercury News
Washington Post
all 2,722 news articles »


San Francisco Chronicle (blog)

For Jim Harbaugh, pro-am golf is just another game
San Francisco Chronicle (blog)
It was a respectable debut in the golfing limelight. Harbaugh attacked the course with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. And if you think this guy is kind of weird as a football coach, you should see him as a golfer. First, there's the outfit – the ...
Harbaugh and Smith: Golf pairing a sign of things to come?San Jose Mercury News
Jim Harbaugh playing golf looks a lot like Jim Harbaugh coaching footballNBCSports.com
San Francisco 49ers, Giants, Pebble Beach Charity Golf Shoot-Out (PHOTOS, VIDEO)Huffington Post

all 88 news articles »


Golf notebook: Johnson shares lead; Woods is five back
Columbus Dispatch
Golf Headlines from AP Former Marysville resident Stephen Gangluff finished second in the PGA Tour final qualifying tournament and was one of 27 golfers to earn exempt status on the tour in 2012. Chris Wilson of Dublin tied for 51st and will be exempt ...

and more »


The National

Golf-McIlroy takes lead in Dubai but may rue missed putts
Reuters UK
By Matt Smith | DUBAI Feb 10 (Reuters) - Rory McIlroy sank seven birdies to be 13 under par after the second round of the Dubai Desert Classic on Friday, two shots ahead of Martin Kaymer, who hit his first hole-in-one. Surprise overnight leader Rafael ...
Tiger that makes Gulf's golf go with a swingThe National
Two Indians ready for the Dubai Desert Classic - Golf Newsbettor.com (blog)
Golf-Cabrera-Bello makes scorching start to lead Dubai ClassicReuters Africa
Times of India -Irish Times -Middle East North Africa Financial Network
all 459 news articles »


Boston Herald

Bill Belichick remains his verbose self
ESPN
Jeff Gross/Getty Images Getting information out of Bill Belichick on a golf course is pretty much the same as it is around a football stadium: nearly impossible. "Hell, yes, I told our guys, 'Make them go to Manningham,'" said the New England Patriots ...
Belichick takes a break with team on solid groundThe Providence Journal
Tom Brady, Bill Belichick head to Pebble Beachbettor.com (blog)

all 16 news articles »


USA TODAY

Golf lifestyle channel? Clint will make your day
Montreal Gazette
The main thing America needs right now is a golf lifestyle cable channel. Thank goodness Clint Eastwood is ready to provide one. He has been named "creative board chairman" of the about-to-launch Back9Network, of which he is a founding shareholder, ...
Clint linked to golf channelStarPhoenix
Clint Eastwood to help create new TV golf channelUSA TODAY
Clint Eastwood is launching a golf networkWashington Post (blog)
Waggle Room -Yahoo! Sports -Hollywood Reporter
all 26 news articles »


Mira Vista Golf & Country Club Adds Over 50 Members in 12 Weeks
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Following a complete restoration of their historic golf course, Mira Vista Golf & Country Club has added 54 new memberships since the grand re-opening last November. Following a complete restoration of their historic golf course, Mira Vista Golf ...

and more »


Seniors: What can you do for your golf club?
Victoria Times Colonist
By Larry Purpur, Times Colonist February 10, 2012 2:38 AM I have enjoyed a 42-year career in the golf industry. I continue to volunteer at golf courses and occasionally play. In light of recent reports regarding the Cedar Hill course, I believe the ...
Cedar Ridge pro to speak at Hard Rock Casino Tulsa Golf ExpoTulsa World

all 3 news articles »


Golf Digest <3319.T>-2011 div forecast
Reuters
Feb 10 (Reuters) - GOLF DIGEST ONLINE INC PARENT-ONLY EARNINGS ESTIMATES (in billions of yen unless specified) Full year to Full year to Dec 31,2011 Dec 31,2011 LATEST PREVIOUS FORECAST FORECAST Annual div nil NOTE - Golf Digest Online Inc is the full ...

and more »


Golf Clap for CVS Caremark
msnbc.com
By Seth Jayson For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), CVS Caremark met expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share. Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue improved and GAAP earnings per share grew. CVS Caremark booked revenue ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map |
© 2007