Dear Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee, My coworker is an avid golfer and invited a group of us to play. I've never golfed in my life. My coworker says not to worry, he'll teach us. Are there any etiquette tips for golfing? Signed, New to the game Dear New, As in any sport or activity, consideration should be shown to others. However, golf, unlike other sports, has no referee or umpire, and relies on the players themselves to behave in a disciplined manner. Since your coworker is a golfer, he should assist the group in following the basic rules of the game. Proper behavior involves safety, not disturbing others, playing at a good pace, and taking care of the course as you play. If you have a cell phone, then put it on discreet setting such as vibrate. Below are some safety and etiquette tips provided by the U.S. Golf Association at www.usga.org Etiquette Tips for Golfing 1. SAFETY a. Players should ensure that no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs or the like when they make a stroke or practice swing. b. Players should not play until the players in front are out of range. c. Players should always alert greenstaff nearby or ahead when they are to make a stroke that might endanger them. d. If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, he should immediately shout a warning. The traditional word of warning in such a situation is "fore." 2. CONSIDERATION FOR OTHER PLAYERS: No Disturbance or Distraction a. Players should always show consideration for other players on the course and should not disturb their play by moving, talking or making any unnecessary noise. b. Players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course does not distract other players. c. On the teeing ground, a player should not tee his ball until it is his turn to play. d. Players should not stand close by or directly behind the ball, or directly behind the hole, when a player is about to play. e. On the Putting Green, do not stand on another player's line of putt or when he is making a stroke, cast a shadow over his line of putt. f. Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all players in the group have holed out. g. Scoring: In stroke play, a player who is acting as a marker should, if necessary, on the way to the next tee, check the score with the player concerned and record it. 3. PACE OF PLAY a. Play at Good Pace and Keep Up: It is the group's responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group. b. Be Ready to Play: When playing on or near the putting green, they should leave their bags or carts in such a position as will enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee. When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green. c. Lost Ball: If a player believes his ball may be lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, to save time, he should play a provisional ball. d. Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not be easily found. e. They should not search for five minutes before doing so. Having allowed the group behind to play through, they should not continue play until that group has passed and is out of range. 4. PRIORITY ON THE COURSE Priority on the course is determined by a group's pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round. 5. CARE OF THE COURSE a. Bunkers: Before leaving a bunker, players should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints made by them and any nearby made by others. If a rake is within reasonable proximity of the bunker, the rake should be used for this purpose. b. Repair of Divots, Ball-Marks and Damage by Shoes: Players should carefully repair any divot holes made by them and any damage to the putting green made by the impact of the ball (whether or not made by the player himself). On completion of the hole by all players in the group, damage to the putting green caused by golf shoes should be repaired. c. Preventing Unnecessary Damage: Players should avoid causing damage to the course by removing divots when taking practice swings or by hitting the head of the club into the ground, whether in anger or for any other reason. d. Players should ensure that no damage is done to the putting green when putting down bags or the flagstick. e. In order to avoid damaging the hole, players and caddies should not stand too close to the hole and should take care during the handling of the flagstick and the removal of a ball from the hole. The head of a club should not be used to remove a ball from the hole. f. Players should not lean on their clubs when on the putting green, particularly when removing the ball from the hole. g. The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before players leave the putting green. h. Local notices regulating the movement of golf carts should be strictly observed. For more information, see the U.S. Golf Association at www.usga.org |
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| Theater and Recreational Etiquette |