Golf is becoming increasingly popular with people. No longer is it considered a sport for older men. Walk out onto a golf course today and you will see an eclectic mix of races, sexes and ages. With the emergence of Tiger Woods over the last decade golf has done a 180-degree turn in popularity.
Whether you are already an avid golfer or someone who is just in the early stages of learning the game, there are some important “unwritten” golf rules you will need to learn. There are of course the common rules that need to be learned, but on top of those there are “golf etiquette” rules that one should abide by.
While these etiquette rules are not a must in the rulebook, they will keep other players from getting upset with you. Following these simple guidelines will also insure that the golf club marshals and other employees will welcome you back, even if you are not a very good golfer.
Pace and Play Through
While there is not a certain amount of minutes designated for each player to get through a hole, there is a proper pace that should be maintained when on the course. If there are other players behind you, then you will want to keep your pace steady and normal.
If you are unable to keep up a good pace because you are a new player – or you are trying to shoot a top score then, allow others to play through. This will keep the golfers behind you happy grateful. There is no need to let players pile up behind you because you are unable to keep up a decent pace.
Divot Repair
The only place you use a tee is in the tee box for your very first shot off the hole. After that you will be hitting shots using a selection of other woods and irons, without the benefit of a tee. This in turn will create divots in the fairway. Even the best ball-strikers leave divots.
The difference in their divots is that they make contact with the ball first then the ground. Either way, other players – as well as marshals and greens keepers, are very appreciative when you repair your divot holes.
Either take the chunk of grass and put it back where it was, or use the bottle of sand that comes with your golf cart. Just pour the sand in the divot mark. This helps the fairway to repair easier and keeps other golfers balls from landing inside a divot hole.
Raking the Sand Trap
It is inevitable – even for the best golfers, that you will end up in a sand trap at one time or another. That being said, always remember to rake the sand trap after you hit out. Rake over your footsteps and rake over the area you hit from. This keeps the sand fresh and smooth for other players. The rakes are provided and are usually lying next to the sand traps.
Golf Cart 90-Degree Rule
Most courses have put into affect the 90-degree rule. This is for courses that allow the convenience of golf carts, but also want to keep fairway turf healthy and smooth. When in affect, the 90-degree rule means that you keep your golf cart on the golf path until you become parallel with the area of the fairway you hit your golf ball to. You then turn the cart 90-degrees and drive straight out to where your ball lies. This rule will also go into affect after rain, or when other conditions call for it.
Remember to always follow these simple golf etiquette rules for a much smoother and enjoyable golfing experience.