Good Golf Etiquette

Slow Play

Every golfer started as a complete novice at some point in their golfing 'career'.

This should be a consideration of the experienced golfer or golf party following a novice or novice group.

Similarly, the novice group should acquaint themselves with the practice of allowing the game behind to 'Play Through'.

Playing Through: This can be done at the tee or, if safe to stand aside, part way through a hole. The novice/s should be aware of the game behind and at the earliest opportunity invite them to play through.

You should always not just stay ahead of the game behind, but keep up with the game in front.

Don't wait for the game behind to ask, if you see they are waiting on every hole and fairway, invite them to play through. As your game improves, you will welcome just such an invite yourself.

Whilst you will have to delay a little while the invited game plays through, it is very likely that your game will be better as the 'pressure' is now off.

Score Card: Don't markup your score card on the green. Move away to the next tee and do it there.

Lost Balls: If there is a game behind, a lost ball can take too much time to locate. If the game behind is waiting, invite them through (if it's safe to do so) or, take a drop and penalty.

Speeding Up Your Game: There are few things that can save time and speed up your play.
1. While you are waiting for your turn to play; Put your glove on. Select the club you're going to use. Without distracting the other players, have a look at where your next shot is going i.e. plan your shot. Don't take too long on the shot, you don't need six practice swings (don't rush it either though). If your club needs a clean from the previous shot, do it while you're waiting to play. When it's your shot - Be Ready..!

2. Watch your shot until it stops, so that you can walk directly to it. If it lands in the rough, take a sight mark (a bush, tree, mound etc) to help you to the ball quickly.

3. Walk quickly and efficiently to your ball.

4. Help your co-players find their lost ball.

5. Size up your putt (do not distract the current player).

If you can save only five seconds off each shot, a Four-Ball will reduce the round by over 26.5 minutes. This also helps your games' momentum and performance.

Care of the Golf Course

Always replace your divots.

Always repair pitch marks. I missed out on a personal best game recently because of a pitch mark left by a player earlier in the day. The pitch mark was slight but deflected my putt and costing me a shot. If you don't have a 'Pitch Mark Repair Tool', you can use a driver golf tee. Push the tee into the green around the pitch mark and lever the depressed mark back up. Tamp flat with your putter or golf shoe.

Never leave litter including your score card.

Don't take your Golf Cart, Trolley or Stand Bag onto the green or green apron (fringe).

Trolleys and Golf Carts must not be taken between greens and bunkers. Go around.

Keep Golf Carts, Trolleys and Stand Bags off the Tee-Off Areas.

Rake bunkers properly after playing out. Replace the rake so that it won't easily deflect or trap a ball. It's much harder to play out of a bunker if you've landed in someone else's shot gouge.

Basically, leave the course in the condition you would wish to find it in.

Game Safety

Look out for anyone when you are taking your shot including your practice swing.

If your shot goes wayward, shout FORE and warn anyone likely to be hit by your ball. On parallel fairways (running in opposite directions) you can shout 'FORE LEFT' or 'FORE RIGHT' depending on the direction of your shot. The golfers warned will expect the ball from the left or right as shouted.

If it is unsafe to play your shot because of another player ahead, wait patiently for them to move on.

If your shot is likely to rebound from a solid obstacle such as a tree or fence, warn other players within the possible rebound before playing. If in doubt, take a drop and penalty.

Some courses are close to houses. It is YOUR responsibility to take due care and ensure your ball does not endanger anyone. When I first started golf, a close friend sliced two shots so badly that the balls went between houses. No-one was hurt and no property damaged, but it could have been so much worse.

Just Plain Common Courtesy

Keep quiet when another golfer is playing, including players not in your group.

Bad Language: We all play bad shots from time to time and they can be very frustrating. Any vocalised frustration should be kept to a low mutter and devoid of profanity. I'm a man of the world and have heard plenty of bad language before. But it has absolutely NO place on a golf course at all.

Noisy Golfers: Use club covers and stop your clubs rattling as you walk the course. There is nothing more distracting than a rhythmic rattle when you're trying to concentrate. I've heard some golfers clubs sound like the Zulu Warriors banging their shields in the distance. Seriously though, muffle them.

Keep The Noise Down: Don't shout to your fellow golfers unless to warn of a dangerous shot. Most golf courses have Tees that are near to Greens and vice-versa, don't spoil someone else's game. If you're travelling back to the club house or to the next Tee, don't be a nuisance noisy golfer.

Don't Drink and Golf: This sounds like common sense, but it continues to surprise me how many golfers have a few before the game and even during play. Just like driving a car, drink will impair your senses and your ability to play safe. Also, drink tends to exaggerate behaviour to a point that will get you banned from the course (member or not).