Golfers of all standards should follow basic etiquette to not only maintain the integrity of the sport but also to ensure fellow golfers are able to enjoy their visit to the course. Golf is an experience everyone in the family can enjoy, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or demographic background, and it is critical everyone follows the fundamentals of golfing etiquette.
Unfortunately, many entry-level golfers and some seasoned professionals fail to follow some basic protocols when hitting the links. For those visiting the Gulf Coast, a collection of courses is available to satisfy everyone’s budget, whether it be a round at Orange Beach Golf Center or perhaps a luxury 18 holes at Craft Farms Golf Resort.
Whether you aspire to be the next Tiger Woods or perhaps just want to enjoy a relaxing stroll down the fairway with friends and family, there are ample opportunities to showcase your talents while also leading by example and following basic golfing etiquette.
Here are the best forms of golfing etiquette that will enable you and others on the course to experience an incredible visit to the golf course.
1. Follow Golfing Best Practices
There are several basic golf etiquette practices that every golfer should follow. While there may be some exceptions to the rule that would allow for some of these to be overlooked, it is always important for golfers to understand these best practices, especially as more courses will ask individual golfers to pair up with other groups to maximize tee times:
- The lowest score on the previous hole tees off first.
- Be quiet when others are hitting their shots.
- The player furthest from the hole goes first, including when you are on the green. However, don’t always think this rule has to apply, and communication with fellow golfers in your group is critical.
- Do not walk across another golfer’s line on the green. Also, keep your shadow away from your playing partners, as this can be distracting both on the tee box and green.
- Additionally, you may discuss with your playing partners to speed up play that there will be times when you are ready to hit your next shot despite not being furthest from the hole. It’s always best practice to check and then be sure your playing partners are aware when you are preparing to hit your shot.
2. Be Mindful of Local Dress Codes
While the stereotypical golfing attire may no longer be quite as strict, following each course's local dress code standards is still good practice. Most golf courses have dress codes, some more formal than others. Visit the website prior to visiting to see if there are any requirements, such as collared shorts, no jeans or vest-style shirts.
Not only does this put the folks at the course in the difficult position of having to tell you to change your attire, but it also reflects on the appearance of the course. Visitors should always respect the image that the course wants to portray.
3. Follow the Cart Path Rules
Dependent on what time of year you are visiting the course, this will likely determine what local rules the course is using regarding golf cart usage. Many courses will allow you to venture onto the fairways, whereas others may require you to stick to the cart path to protect the course, especially if it’s seen quite a bit of rain.
If you can head off the cart path, never get too close to the green with your cart and be sure to park it in a safe place away from fellow golfers who may still be playing to the green. Driving should be at a moderate speed, and always show consideration for other golfers.
4. Pace of Play
For any aspiring golfer thinking about starting this sport, one of the most frustrating aspects is spending five or six hours on the course. Not only does this dissuade prospective golfers from playing, but it is also discouraging for those who want to enjoy the golfing experience. Some of the best tips to ensure you keep up with the pace of play are as follows:
- Don’t allow the group before you to get more than a hole ahead of you.
- If you are playing in a group with three or more members, always be prepared to hit your shot when it’s your turn. Determine your yardage and select your club before it is your turn to play.
- Keep your pre-shot routine short – while we may all think that the perfect routine is critical to success, have confidence in your ability and try not to take more than one practice swing.
- Don’t feel like you have to make every single putt – take a “gimmie” here and there to help speed up play.
- Don’t spend too long looking for a lost ball – while golf balls can be expensive, looking for longer than three or four minutes can frustrate everyone. At the same time, be helpful to others in the group by helping them look for their ball.
- Unless you are playing in a tournament that stipulates otherwise, play every lost ball as a lateral hazard so you are not having to go back and re-hit your shot which is a major cause of slow play. If you are ever in doubt and must adhere to local rules, always play a provisional ball.
5. Respect Other Golfers
If you are playing with friends or family in a three or four-ball, it’s plausible to think you are out on the links for an entertaining and enjoyable round of golf. However, always be aware of the groups behind you. Be courteous if an individual or group of two is behind you and allow them to play through so they continue without waiting on every shot.
Be conscious of those directly in front of you also – never hit a ball when a group is ahead of you within your distance. This is the time when you should overcompensate with how far you think you can hit your clubs, as it’s not worth the risk of potentially hitting someone.
Anytime you hit an errant shot, shout “fore” so that others can take evasive action if needed. While it may be rare for golfers to be hit by a golf ball, it does happen and can lead to serious injury. Always be aware of your surroundings, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Respect should also be shown to other playing members within your group. When you are waiting to hit your shot, always be quiet so that others can focus on their shot. You can all enjoy the experience on the golf course even while remaining courteous to everyone in the group.
Another basic tip is to not play loud music from your golf cart out of respect for your fellow golfers. Be sure to check the local golf rules to see if playing music is allowed, and if so, be ready to turn this down whenever someone is preparing to hit their shot. A good rule of thumb is to keep it at a volume that cannot be heard more than 5-10 feet from your golf cart.
6. Take Care of the Course
Alabama’s Gulf Coast is blessed to have a collection of fabulous golf courses, each offering a unique challenge and kept in pristine condition. It is a credit to the local greenkeepers at these courses that the time and effort they spend are reflected in high-quality courses for every golfer to enjoy. However, it is critical that all golfers do their part also and not rely solely on the greenkeepers. Maintain the quality of the course by following these quick and easy tips.
- Replace all divots with divot mix or sand that are usually always readily available on your golf cart.
- Avoid taking divots on your practice swings.
- When practicing putting, avoid standing in one place for extended periods, as this can cause damage to the green.
- Repair not only your pitch marks on the greens but also any others that you see.
- Keep your golf carts on the paths as frequently as possible and keep them a safe distance from greens.
- Remember, golf is a sport that offers you the opportunity to exercise. Walking a little further is something that you will benefit from, along with helping to keep the course in immaculate condition.
- Always rake the bunkers - rake the area you played from, along with all your footprints and any others within reach.
Embrace Golfing Etiquette
Golfing etiquette enhances the experience for every other golfer on the course and enables you to enjoy your round more. It is a frequent misconception that decency should be left to the professionals because social golf should be more about enjoyment.
Golf is about having fun and enjoying the experience both on and off the course, and if you embrace golfing etiquette, you may find that your next golfing adventure is that much more enjoyable!