Rules and Etiquette - why Golfers should know both…
The Rules of Golf apply to every golfer, professional, social or Club members. The formal Rules are supplemented by Local Rules established by the Golf Club or operators of the course to ensure that the course is respected and that the experience of a game on that course is as good as is possible. That includes Local Rules about where you can drive Golf Carts ! Never drive a Golf Cart onto a Tee area , or on the fringe of a green!
Without an understanding and observance of the Rules, a game of Golf is simply hitting a golf ball without purpose.
It never ceases to amaze me how many golfers don’t know the Rules, don’t care and are insulted if another golfer points out a violation of the rules and the penalty that it attracts. The Rules are what has made the game of Golf a global sport that can be enjoyed on thousands of golf courses in dozens of countries where the same Rules are observed. The message is simple -get a copy of the Rules at your Club or on line and read your way through the document over a few days. You might be surprised at gaps in your knowledge of how Rules have evolved in the last few years.
Failure to observe the Rules of Golf can result in the embarrassment of disqualification or in extreme cases, accusation of cheating. That reputation can follow you for years.
Golf Etiquette is not about Rules. Its about manners on the golf course, respect for other golfers, respect for the golf course and for the Club staff that maintain and operate the course.
Here’s a few classic examples of violations of etiquette that may result in you not being welcome at the course again:
Carry a sand bucket and repair fairway divots that result from your shots - everyone suffers from un-repaired damage to fairway surfaces;
Repair the pitch marks that you ball makes when it lands on the green - it’s simply bad manners to leave pitch marks that can affect a putt for another golfer;
Park your cart or pull buggy between the green and the next tee while you walk to the green to putt out. If your buggy is parked back towards the golfers who are following, the time you waste in getting back to your buggy and then walking or driving around the green to the next tee can add 2-3 minutes to each hole. Do the arithmetic - over 18 holes, that can add 45 minutes to the round of golf for you and for the others following. No-one will appreciate that.
Do not drive a motorised cart onto Tees or onto the fringe of greens. That’s a deadly sin in some places. Most courses also ask that you don’t drive off the fairway into the rough because of the damage that can do to the vegetation.
When leaving a sand bunker, consider the golfers who follow you into the sand. Even if rakes are not provided, make some effort to smooth the surface of sand when you leave. deep foot prints in a bunker are guaranteed to produce frustration for those whose ball rolls into them.
“Good golfers” are not necessarily low handicap players. They are people who enjoy golf and respect other golfers and the courses on which they play.
Good golfing!
