Golf can be a very intimidating game to take up because of all the complicated rules and etiquette.  When I first started playing the game at young age older people would chew me out for “stepping on their line” and it made me feel like quitting.  I didn’t understand what stepping in one’s like meant nor did I understand why people got upset over it.

It pains me to hear stories of people telling me they don’t want to play a real course because a marshal or ranger will be hounding them to speed up their play or to have advanced players in their group get upset and start yelling at them because they don’t know what to do if they lost a ball.  I have also heard many people tell me about other playing partners get mad at them because they were talking in their swing.

As a Professional I have always been told my number one job is to grow the game and if I can find ways to make people feel more comfortable on the course, I will do that.  That is why I have decided to create this post all about etiquette so everyone can learn the do’s and dont’s on the course and feel much better about playing this great game.

If you’re an advanced player and ever get paired up with a new player, relax on them and let them learn the game and make them feel welcomed.  We were all in that position before and the last thing we want to do is make people quit the game.  As players our focus should be on growing the game and introducing as many new people to it as we can.

Let’s begin!

While another player is getting ready to hit or standing over the ball about to hit be sure to do these things even if they are not in your group and are within close proximity to you;

-stand still

-be quiet

-stand to the side of them and not behind them

-not to have your shadow anywhere near them

-don’t walk to far ahead of them if you are on the fairway because they may hit a bad shot and injury you

- if a shot hit is headed towards another fairway, be sure to always yell “fore” just in case someone is on that fairway.

On the putting green there is some more etiquette we must be aware of.  Be sure to

-not step on a player’s line (meaning do not walk on their intended line of putt)

-always mark your ball with a coin or something round and flat

-never stand behind a player when putting or behind the hole directly in their sight line as they putt towards the hole

-attend the flag when a player asks to when they’re a long way from the hole (simply hold the flagstick until the players putt is within ten feet of the hole)

Be sure to take care of the course for the other players by repairing divots, raking bunkers and repairing ball marks on the greens.  That is pretty much it, if you have any questions simply respond by posting a comment and I will be happy to answer!

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