Golf is a game of many things and etiquette is a big part of it. Every experienced golfer knows that being polite and courteous to the other players is as important as hitting a good shot or making a lengthy putt. In fact, playing with a level of poise and dignity can leave an even more lasting impression to your playing partners. Some beginning golfers, however, don't know how they should act or what is considered rude during play. What's worse is that some experienced golfers that do not follow these basic rules of golf etiquette just don't care and as a result, they tend to have a harder time in finding playing partners.
There is a set of common golf etiquette procedures and by following them, you will find that the game of golf gets more enjoyable. You will also be able to find a group of golfers that you will enjoy playing with.
#1 Watch Your Mouth
The most common golf etiquette rule is to be quiet when another golfer is concentrating or setting up his golf shot. Talking to your golf buddies and joking around is alright, but as soon as someone prepares for a shot, then it's time to shut your mouth. You wouldn't want to be distracted with other people talking while you're making your shot now would you? Therefore, you should learn to be quiet when your partner is preparing his shot, setting up and swinging.
#2 Keep Your Distance
You should never stand too close to a golfer preparing for his shot because it can throw him off his concentration. Part of this etiquette covers where you should and should not stand while other players are taking their shot. You should always stand to the side and out of a golfer's peripheral vision. Never, under any circumstances, stand behind or in front of a golfer.
Do not allow your shadow to cross the path of another golfer, especially on the green. You would not want your shadow to interfere with another golfer's line. Casting a shadow between a golfer's ball and the hole will make it harder to read the putting line and will distract the other golfer. Move far enough away that your shadow will not interfere with the player hitting his shot.
#3 Keep Up the Pace
You should always be prepared to make your shot so you will not be the one delaying the game. Remember that the player farthest away from the hole gets to take his or her shot first. But if for whatever reason, there is a delay and the other golfer asks you to take your shot, then you have to be ready to do so.
After you hit your shot, you should leave the tee as soon as possible. This will allow the next golfer to set up and prepare to hit their shot. You can put your clubs away and go back to your cart so you are ready to go as soon as the last golfer has finished hitting their ball.
#4 Know When Its Your Turn
The general order on the first tee would be that the player with the lowest handicap always goes first, unless a different agreement is made, such as a flip of a coin or drawing a number out of a hat. As the game continues, the person that shot the lowest score would go first on the next tee.
It is important to immediately mark your ball as soon as it lands on the green. The golfer with the longest putt or is the farthest away from the hole should putt first. Use the same distance rule on the green as you do for the fairway.
Every putter has the right to finish their putt if they were farthest away to begin with. If you do have to stand in another player's line, then mark your ball and allow the other golfer to putt first. after they are through and you will no longer be standing in their putting lane, then that's the time you can finish your putt.
#5 Don't Step on the Line
Even if you go out of your way, it is essential to never step in a golfer's line on the green. What this means is to never walk in between another golfer's ball and the hole. You may have to walk around the back of a player's ball and not through their line, but proper etiquette dictates that this should be done.
#6 Keep Your Eyes Open
Do not hit into the group ahead of you. You should already have an idea how far you can hit each club in your bag. If for any reason, the group ahead of you is somewhere near the distance you can hit the ball, then you have to wait until they have left the area before attempting your shot. Hitting anyone with your golf ball is a big no-no. It is not only rude, but you can wind up hurting someone in the process.
#7 Minimize Damage
Do not pull your golf ball out of the hole with your putter; it could damage the sides of the cup. Remove the golf ball from the hole using your finger. After everyone is done putting, put the flag stick back into to the golf hole, so the other players will know where the hole is located on the green.
By maintaining these basic golf etiquette procedures, you are not only showing other golfers that you respect their game, but it also shows how you want to be treated by other golfers when you are on the course.
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