Playing golf is very exciting, especially for beginners who are new to the sport. There are so many elements to golf, whether it be choosing the best clubs, shot technique, judging the pace of a green or anything else, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.
However, before you even begin to think about taking to the golf course and playing a round, you must be aware of golf etiquette. If you talk to seasoned golfers, they will tell you how frustrating it can be on a course when a player with you or in-front of you is not familiar with basic golf etiquette.
Golf is unlike any other sport when it comes to etiquette and should be aware of the basic things people expect of you when on the course.
Firstly, make sure you arrive for your tee time early. If you are due to tee off at 11am, it’s no good turning up at 11am. You need time to check in at the clubhouse, sort out your bag and buy any extras you may need from the pro shop. If you would like to practice before you head to the course, you will need to add additional time for this too. Always arrive early and be ready to have your tee in the ground bang on the time you have booked.
If you and your playing partner are using a golf cart, there is no reason to wait for each other when you are playing your shots. If you partner is further away from the hole than you, drop them off and drive on to your ball. Having played their shot, they can walk to meet you further down the fairway, following your own shot. Always take a few different clubs to the ball and bring putters to the green for each other.
To speed up your play on the greens, do not stand and watch other golfers hit their putts. While they are looking at their putts, you should be lining up your own and as soon as they have made their shot, you can begin your pre-shot routine. The same applies when on the tee. You do not need to spend 60 seconds making practice swings, you can do this when others are on the tee. You should be aiming for a maximum of 30 seconds.
Always keep your phone off and in the cart, no one wants to be lining up a crucial putt only for a mobile phone to start ringing. Furthermore, keep instruction off the golf course. However badly you think someone may be playing, the last thing they want to hear is you offering them advice and confusing them further. Wait until the round is finished and if you have some good advice, discuss it over a drink in the clubhouse.
Finally, if it’s you who is having an off day on the course, do not feel you must keep apologising. We all have bad days on the course and the best thing you can do, is to keep smiling and try and laugh it off. The rest of your group will appreciate it and the jollier you can remain, the better your chances are of improving as the round develops.
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