Golf Etiquette

Golf Etiquette - Basic Rules of Golf

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A round of golf can be the most exhilarating and exciting sport you can play. Having perfect greens and fairways will add to a great course. Unfortunately we have to play the course with other golfers, here's a few rules to help you along the way.

1. Etiquette - Be considerate of your fellow players. Don't talk, move, or distract a player in any other way during his swing.

2. 14-club limit - The USGA allows a maximum of 14 clubs to be carried in a bag. Less than that is okay.

3. Tee markers - When teeing off on a hole, the ball must be behind the tee markers. (Draw an imaginary line between the two markers and tee your ball behind that line.)

4. As it lies - Play the ball as it lies. This means you may not improve the way the ball is at rest. If you are on the green, you may mark and pick up your ball to clean it, but while in the fairway, you must play the ball as it lies. See the USGA rule book for special circumstances like winter rules, obstructions, standing water, etc.

5. Away - The ball farthest from the hole is the one that is played first. The term is "away." Example: "John, you are away, so go ahead and play first." The person with the lowest score for the hole has "the honors," and plays first on the next hole.

6. Sand traps - If your ball lands in the sand trap, remember to rake it after you have played your shot. The groups behind you will appreciate this. Since this is a hazard, you cannot ground your club prior to the swing. Practice swings are okay, as long as you do not contact the sand.

7. Out of bounds - If you hit your ball OB, there is a one-stroke penalty, and you must hit another ball. If you are not sure if the ball is OB, hit a "Provisional Ball" just in case. If you determine the first ball is OB, then you continue on and play with the Provisional Ball.

8. Water hazards - If you hit your ball into a water hazard, you may play it (could be messy), or with a one-stroke penalty, play another ball from where you just hit. Another option is to drop another ball where the original ball entered the hazard, incur a one-stroke penalty and play on.

9. Putting green - When on the green, never walk across another player's line of putt. In tournament play, this will cost you a two-stroke penalty. It is okay if the player is not on the green yet, but as a courtesy, watch your footing.

10. Have fun - Golf is a great game, so have fun with it and whenever possible, leave the golf course in the same shape that you found it.

Quiet- Pretend you are at the library, keep your voice down. Concentration is the name of the game.

Swinging - Don't take practice swings toward another person.

Pace Yourself - Yes concentrate, but keep up the pace as well. Don't make other golfers impatient while waiting on you.

Playing through - Without being rude, when the group ahead of you is playing slowly. In a courteous manner, you can ask to play through. If the course is just plain crowded and there are groups in front of them, then just wait your turn.

Golf Carts - Keep the carts on the path, crisscrossing along the fairway will easily damage the grass.

Divots - A nice swing feels great, I bet you thought you hit it nice and sweet. Check the ground to see if any grass went airborne and replace it.

Losing a Ball - A ball in the green grass can be hard to find, especially hidden under leaves. It's frustrating, but carry extra balls before you spend hours hunting.

Flagstick - The rule is the ball may not touch the flagstick while putting. If you're hitting off the green that's okay especially if it helps the ball go in. While putting take the flagstick to the edge of the green or have someone tend the hole.

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