Tips for Good Golf Etiquette
It can be hard when you’re playing a terrible game on the golf course, and secretly, you’re the most competitive person in your group. It’s important to consider proper golf etiquette while you’re playing a round. Here are a few tips from the pros.
Don’t be the slowest player on the course. It can be hard when you want to take lots of time to line up the perfect shot, but the time you take may be aggravating people you’re playing with. Speed up your game especially if there are people waiting to play the hole your group is at. It may be proper etiquette to let them pass you, if you are stressed by the fact that people are waiting on you to play.
Another good rule of thumb: Never search for a lost ball for more than 5 minutes.
Keep your temper in check. No one wants to play with a poor sport. Even if you absolutely ruined that shot, keep your shouting and swearing to a quiet minimum. Never throw your club. When people get loud and aggressive it ruins the golf game for everyone. If you wouldn’t act like this at a dinner table with your boss or in-laws, don’t do it on the golf course.
Leave a hole as best as you found it. Replace divots if you can, or use provided seed mix to fill in holes. Sometimes if it’s an especially bad hole with sand, people won’t take the time to rake the sand as they should, because they’re so frustrated by the hole. Take the time to rake the sand as it should be. Think to yourself, would you want to play this hole in the way that you’ve left it?
Respect the course with your electric golf caddies and golf carts. Try not to leave unnecessary damage done with your golf cart. Only drive in permitted areas, and respect the turf.
Turn off your cell phone. Respect the time you have set aside to play golf with friends, and respect their time as well. It’s rude to make time to play golf with someone and then spend the whole time checking emails, sending texts, or making calls.
There are many more parts to good golf etiquette, but it really comes down to common courtesy and common sense. Leave the course the way you’d like to find it, respect other players time, ability and space. You’re out to enjoy yourself and a game of golf. Don’t make it not enjoyable for others.