Good Behavior on a Golf Course

So you’ve got your equipment and a women-golfers' group together to play at the local club. Do you know the correct etiquette required on a golf course? Here is a summary of golf etiquette to help you feel at ease when playing the game:

Basic Points To Remember

• Be aware of the other people in your group and on the course.
  Ensure that no one can get hurt when you make a stroke or practice your swing. Play only when the players ahead of you are out of range. Shout “Fore!” in case a stroke or swing you make might hurt someone standing nearby—that acts as a warning.
  
  
• Don’t disturb other players by being noisy or talking while they’re teeing off.
  Good golf etiquette dictates that you either switch off your mobile phone or pager, or put it in vibrator mode, to avoid disturbing other players. Don’t tee off until it’s your turn and don’t stand close to the ball or the hole when another player is about to play.
  
  
• On the putting green, don’t stand on another player’s line of putt or cast a shadow on it.
  Remain on or close to the putting green until all members of your group have holed out.
  
  
• If you’re the marker for your group, check the score with the player concerned on the way to the next tee.
  
  
• Play at a good pace, so that you don’t delay the groups playing behind you and keep up with the groups in front.
  In case your group loses a hole, invite the group behind to play ahead. Be ready to play when it is your turn. Park your cart or place your golf bag so that you can move to the next tee when you’ve played your hole. Leave the putting green when you finish playing a hole.
  
  
• Play a provisional ball if you believe your ball is lost and will not be found easily.
  In case there’s a group behind waiting to play, and you’re still searching for your ball, let them play and wait till they’ve moved ahead to resume your play.
  
  
• If your group is playing a whole round, you’re entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round.
  
  
• Smooth over all holes and footprints made in or near a bunker (a hazard of sand and grass).
  If you take a divot (break off a chunk of grass and soil) from the putting green while making a shot or practicing a swing, do your best to repair it. Try to cause the least amount of damage to the course, by handling flagsticks carefully and by carefully removing balls from holes. Don’t use the head of a club to remove a ball from a hole and don’t hit it into the ground when angry. Don’t lean on your club on the putting green; replace flagsticks properly before leaving the putting green; and follow local regulations on the movement of golf carts.
  
  For more information on Golf Etiquette, click on here to go to the Play Golf America site which gives you the complete scope.