Golfers: help me!

[SandraVB79]

In Belgium, you need a golf license before you can "really" go on a golf course (as opposed as the driving range + putting green). I finally got my golf license last Saturday, and now I have to take part in tournaments at my golf club, so that I can lower my handicap. As long as my handicap isn't 36 or less, I can't go play on other courses.

So, I have my first tournament on Sunday. My golf club has tournaments for rookies as me (you're "allowed" to make stupid mistakes, meaning that no one will really flame you), but the schedule of those doesn't really match my schedule, so I can't take part in them to learn how the real thing goes.

So, help me out. What are the things I have to look out for? I know I can't walk over the putting line of someone else. But do you have other things like that?
I would really hate one of the other people in my flight yelling at me because I made some stupid rookie mistake

 

[Simba's Mom]

I don't golf but DH does-alot! It sounds like you're looking for rules of golf etiquette, right? Other than the one you mentioned, the only one I can think of offhand is don't talk or make any noise when others are taking their turn. And whatever you do, don't have a cell phone with you on the golf course, at least not on.

 

[SandraVB79]

I "know" the golf etiquette rules, or at least I'm supposed to know them, because you have to do a written test about etiquette and rules.

I am more looking for rules of thumb (is that a word?), some easy guidelines to remember, ...
I will be stressed (am already stressed!), so... I need some easy tips.
Man, and I thought golfing was about relaxing! I have never been so stressed in my life!

 

[wvrevy]

Some other golf etiquette tips:

Don't let your shadow fall on someone's putting line, ball, or the hole while they are hitting.

Don't make noise while someone else is addressing the ball or during their swing.

Keep a good pace. When it's your turn to hit, don't just start lining up the putt or figuring out what club to hit.

Repair all divots and ball marks on the green, and rake any sand traps that you play out of.

There are more that you should be aware of, and you can find them with a google search for "golf etiquette". It's mostly just common coutesy kind of stuff, so as long as you're polite about it, you probably won't have any problems.

 

[wvrevy]

I "know" the golf etiquette rules, or at least I'm supposed to know them, because you have to do a written test about etiquette and rules.

I am more looking for rules of thumb (is that a word?), some easy guidelines to remember, ...
I will be stressed (am already stressed!), so... I need some easy tips.
Man, and I thought golfing was about relaxing! I have never been so stressed in my life!

In that case

When you have a sidehill lie, keep in mind that the ball tends to fly slightly in the direction away from the hill, and compensate a bit for that. For example, if standing facing the hole and the ground slopes from right to left, aim slightly right of the hole. Seems to work most of the time.

When hitting out of sand, trust the swing. You have to swing inordinately hard for the distance you want to hit it, and you can't let that intimidate you.

Use the markings on the ball (or make one) to line up puts. It gives you an easy visual guide as to how you want to hit the ball. And worry MUCH more about hitting it with the proper pace, rather than having the perfect alignment. A properly paced putt, even if missed, shouldn't leave you a long second putt, whereas one hit too hard or too soft could leave you with a tough second putt. Keeping three-putts to a minimum is the best way to put up decent scores.

Speaking of marking the ball...put your OWN mark on your golf balls. That way, no matter what brand your playing partner is playing, you will know your own ball immediately upon seeing it. (Mine is three dimples colored dark blue...gee, wonder why? )

Lastly, just keep these five words in mind: "YOU ARE NOT TIGER WOODS!!!" Don't try to drive par fours, and don't try to reach par fives in two unless you've absolutely CRUSHED your drive. Just try to reach the greens in regulation (2 shots on par fours, 3 on par fives), and go from there. Trying to do more than you're capable of leads to disaster (trust me, I am speaking from experience ).

Oh, and resist the temptation to hit your driver every hole. Remember, Tiger won the British Open this year while hitting his driver a grand total of 2 times...in four rounds. Irons are more accurate - particularly for a beginner - and less likely to land you in trouble.

DON'T try to kill the ball. Technology has made clubs of today more than capable of doing the work...so LET THEM. A smooth, controlled swing is much better for your game than 1 drive in 10 that lands in the fairway.

Can't think of anything else, but those are the things I really try to keep in mind when playing. I'm a 14 handicap, so I'm neither the greatest golfer out there, nor the worst. Hope these things help! Most of all...HAVE FUN!!!

 

[Bob Slydell]

Hmmmm, rules of thumb? It's hard, because after a while, a lot of these are second nature to golfers.

Let's see...

Pace of play is a big deal when it comes to etiquette. Make sure you're ready to hit your next shot when it's your turn (e.g. have your club ready and a general idea of where you want to hit). Don't spend a lot of time over your shot -- take a practice swing or two and take aim and let it fly.

If you've got a golf cart, make sure to take note of the rules that day (e.g. 90 degrees in the fairway, etc.) and try not to park the cart in the fairway if at all possible. Also, if you and your partner (sharing a golf cart) hit your shots on opposite sides of the hole, drop off one person near their ball and head to the other ball -- it saves time.

Replace your divots or if your golf cart has that sandy grass seed, put some of that down in its place.

Don't spend too much time looking for a lost ball. And always keep a second ball on you or in the cart so you're not digging through your golf bag for a ball when you lose one.

There's a few of them right now -- I'll see if I can think of others later.

 

[SandraM]

The following advice is a mixture of etiquette and rules which I found useful:

Teeing Off
Arrive at the tee at least five minutes before your tee-off time. Do not expect your playing partners to wait for you, as according to Rule 6, competitors in a group must be present and ready to play at the appointed time.
Have your club, tee and ball ready for your turn on each tee. Ideally, put a special mark on your ball so you will know it is yours – if someone else plays the same type of ball you may not be able to tell which is which, and therefore the ball will count as being lost, resulting in you having to replay your shot.

Honour
The honour at the first tee should be decided by lot (Rule 10). However, common practice is for the lowest handicapper to tee off first. Thereafter, the honour goes to the person with the lowest score on the previous hole. This may seem unnecessary, but it saves time. Remember: tee your ball up to two club-lengths behind the tee markers, never in front of them.

Practice Swings
Make sure that no-one is within hitting distance before taking a practice swing. Face so that any divots you take won't hit anyone either! Take your practice swing(s) away from the tee to save any unnecessary damage to the teeing ground.

Taking a Shot
Don't talk or move when a fellow player is taking their shot. At the tee, stand opposite them for safely. Watch the flight of the ball in case the player doesn't see it. Be ready to shout "FORE" if you think a ball may hit someone.

Lost Ball
If your original ball is lost, and you have not played a provisional, you must walk back to where you played from and replay your shot (having to count your original ball plus a penalty stroke).

Speeding up Play
One practice swing should be sufficient.
If you think there's a chance your ball may not be found, play a provisional ball, telling your fellow players first.
If you lose more than 1 hole behind the players in front, YOU ARE HOLDING UP THE COURSE. Speed up straight away or call the group behind you through. Always be aware where the players in front and behind you are.
In a Stableford competition, when it's obvious you can't score, pick up your ball (after 6 on a par 3, 7 on a par 4 or 8 on a par 5). In strokeplay you must finish out each hole.

On the Green
Furthest ball from the hole gets first putt. When the ball is very close to the hole, it is quicker to putt out than to mark.
Marking the ball on the green should only be necessary if your ball interferes with another player's stance or line of putt, is clearly in their eyeline, or when the ball needs cleaning. It is advisable to put your marker behind the ball to avoid accidentally replacing your ball nearer the hole.
Do not cross your partner’s line of putt as you may create spike marks with your shoes which may knock their putt off-line. A player may not repair spike marks before putting.
Stand clear of a player (in front and behind) and their ball.
Don't lean on your putter on the green!
Should you land on the wrong green, drop the ball off the (wrong) green no nearer the hole you are playing to. No penalty. This also applies to temporary greens not in play.
After putting out, replace the flag and move away from the green, so the following players may make their approach shots.
After leaving the green, each player should inform their marker of their score. Mark the scores at the next tee while your partners are teeing off, and be ready to play as soon as the next group is out of range - usually after they have completed their second shot - however, use common sense.

Flagstick
Loosen the flag carefully, and place it on the ground well away from everyone's line of putt - there is a penalty of 2 strokes for hitting the flagstick from a stroke taken on the green.
Make sure no damage is done to the green when dropping the flagstick.
When tending the flag, don't step on anyone's line of putt, and keep your shadow out of the way. Hold the flag against the stick so that it doesn't flap and distract the person putting.

Golf Trolley
Park your golf trolley beside, not on, the tee.
Never leave your trolley in front of the green. Time is wasted walking back to collect it, and the following players are likely to be irritated! Leave your trolley at the nearest point on the direct route from the green to the next tee. Golf trolleys are never to be brought on to the green!

Repairs to the Course
Replace your divots.
Pick up broken tees - these can damage machines.
Repair pitch marks to the green.
Tap down spike marks after putting has been completed.
Always rake over your footprints in bunkers – if a player lands in a footprint, they may not level the sand before playing.

Other Playing Groups
Do not interfere with any other groups of golfers on the course. Should you have any concerns or difficulties, inform your committee.

Disputes
Disputes should be dealt with by the committee after the round, not during, as this can cause upsets and ruin a round. Golf is a game of honour, etiquette and consideration for others.

Miscellaneous
Lastly, Rule 1.4: If any point in dispute is not covered by the Rules, the decision shall be made in accordance with equity (i.e. what is just and fair).

Hope this helps!

 

[SandraVB79]

Thank you so much for all the tips!!!

Don't lean on your putter on the green!

Oops, that's something I do... will have to stop doing that!

 

[golfgal]

Repair your ball marks on the green.

Play it as it lies

I would go to the R & A website and look for the Rules of Golf. Here is the link to the USGA http://www.ghin.com/#--well, it is for the handicapping association but there is a link there for the rules. You can read over the rules and they also have "situations" where they describe common situations where different rules come into play and how to proceed. Every golfer should know the rules but most don't. I have a quick reference book in my golf bag that I carry for situations. It has come in handy quite often.

Some of the rules in Europe are slightly different then in the US but they are mostly the same.