Golf is a dignified game of rules and manners, and it’s important to know the basics before you play for the first time. Whether you are playing alone, in a twosome or a foursome, you must wait your turn. You must keep aware of the group on the next hole and wait until they are well ahead of you before hitting your ball.
It’s never cool to “push” the group in front of you. If you are playing with others, wait for your turn to hit the ball; never hit at the same time as another player.
A good way to spend waiting time is to find your ball and figure out the club you will need for the next shot. That way, you will be following the rules while hopefully gaining an advantage for yourself by hitting the next shot better than the ones you are playing with. This is called “ready golf.”
Finding you ball is a good way to spend waiting time. Next determine the club you will need for the next shot. You will be following the rules while hopefully gaining an advantage for yourself, positioning the next shot for a good shot at the hole. This is called “ready golf.”
When someone is “teeing off” or hitting the ball down the fairway: one must be behind them and quiet. No jingling change or noisily unwrapping candy. This signals that you are a “duffer,” broadcasting your ignorance about the game.
When you knock that big clod of dirt out of the fairway, be sure to replace it. No one likes to have their ball diverted by holes in the fairway. If you want to play, make sure your divots don’t drive anyone else crazy. Make double sure of this when playing on the green. On every hole, replace the flag after play. This allows the next player to know where the hole is and not have to guess. Don’t tarry on the green, leave so the next person or group can play through. Be sure to keep score in a timely manner. It is hard to remember the strokes from hole 3 when you are at hole 7, or on the back nine.
Of course, there are many more rules of golf, but these simple ones will enable you to get through the course without coming to blows with anyone. Etiquette must be observed for everyone to enjoy the game!
