As golf professionals, we face many challenges making sure that everybody enjoys the time they spend during their round of golf. There are two areas where we can work together and improve everybody’s enjoyment. One being etiquette and the other is pace of play.
ETIQUETTE
The key to making sure proper etiquette is being followed is understanding what is required of the golfer. Golf is a sport and activity rich in traditions. Courses have set rules and expectations based on these traditions. Golf professionals along with local, national, and world associations have established basic guidelines and rules for players to follow. As a player, it is your responsibility to do your part. It all starts with understanding what is expected of you as a player. We will discuss the basics.
BE AWARE OF THE GOLF COURSE’S DRESS CODE EXPECTATIONS
When you come to the course to play or practice, players should be aware of the golf course’s dress code expectations. Having to go home or being asked to change because a player is not following the dress code not only impacts the player, the staff and other golfers. So, make sure you dress for success and follow the course’s expectations. If you are not sure contact the course and clarify.
PRESERVE THE CONDITIONS OF THE GOLF COURSE
Preserving the conditions of the golf course is one of the most frequent areas of etiquette that gets violated. Players must do their part to help keep everybody’s experience the same. This means being aware of your role. Every action you take on the course or driving range affects the conditions. By being proactive, it will help make everybody’s experience similar. When using the practice tee, follow the recommended way of hitting shots by placing your next shot at the back of where you just hit from. When on the golf course, fill your divots with sand, repair your ball marks on the greens, rake your tracks in the bunker, limit the amount of cart traffic in the playing areas by following the 90-degree rule. In doing so we show our respect for the course and others. Being courteous to the course and others is an essential part of etiquette.
PACE OF PLAY
When it comes to the pace of play, it all starts with being at the golf course on time. Courses have set tee time intervals to flow play and maximize player access. Players should arrive to warm up prior to scheduled tee time. Show your appreciation and respect for others by being ready to go before your scheduled tee time. You can’t be on time if you don’t start on time! Once you start your round, here are a few points to manage the amount of time everybody spends on the course. These are all meant to help facilitate casual rounds of golf.
On the tee, it is ok for a player with the honor to allow other players to hit first. This has become common practice when a player with honor needs to wait to safely hit and they have players in their group that can safely hit. Doing so reduces everybody in the group’s wait plus those playing later.
In the fairway, cart drivers should drive their rider to their ball, let them get their clubs, and instead of waiting for them to hit drive to their own ball and get ready to hit. Once the driver hits, they drive back to pick up their rider and repeat this process throughout the round. Remember the rules have changed and after three minutes of looking for a ball it is deemed lost. Another time saver is that it is always beneficial if the player closest to the hole starts looking since they will be last to hit. Plus, the odds are that the lost ball will be found by the time other players play and hit their shots.
On and around the green, when not all players are on the green those players can play if they are ready before those that are off the green. A putt is more straightforward and requires less planning and focus than a bunker or flop shot. There is no time limit for putting so try to keep it under 20 seconds or less from when it becomes your turn. Line up the putt and read the green as much as possible before your turn so you are ready to roll.
Lastly, try to always keep all your belongings with you. We all forget our clubs and spend unnecessary time chasing them.
