Golf Talk With Greg Holman – #80

Click play to listen to Greg’s blog, or, read below.

We’ve talked about golf etiquette before but I haven’t covered everything. It seems according to what I’ve seen on the course the last few weekends that the worst offenders are the experienced golfers, the ones that should know better.

Let’s start with your arrival at the course.

Most courses require tee times. It’s a good idea to arrive thirty minutes to an hour before tee time. That not only gives you time to loosen up but lets the starter or pro shop attendant know that you are in line to play. If you have two or three in your group and there is a single behind you, invite them to join you. If they decline, remember singles do not have priority, but if the course is open in front of you, let them play through.

The time to practice is on the driving range, not on the course. We have a ten stroke maximum in our group. After ten shots, pick up. Always invite faster groups through. Remember you are only allowed three minutes to look for a lost ball. Keep up the pace. Be ready to hit when it’s your turn.

If the rule is cart path only because of a recent rain, take two or three clubs and an extra ball with you when you walk to your shot.

Play ready golf. Leave the flag in on the greens and putt out rather than mark your ball. We’re not pros playing for thousands of dollars.

Here’s something that really irritates me, and that’s someone or some group just driving around you. If there is a slow foursome in front of you, have the decency to ask if you can play through. If there is a hole open in front of you then you are playing too slow.

If you are a beginner golfer, you have just as much right to play as the more experienced player but do yourself a favor and don’t make a tee time in the middle of the day on a weekend. Choose early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

This seems like it should be common sense, but don’t talk while someone else is taking a swing and don’t walk in their line on the green. Step over the imaginary line their ball will take to the hole or walk around it.

Don’t mark your ball with a tee. A ball can’t roll over a tee. Use a coin or an authentic ball marker or borrow a coin from someone in the group.

Keep your cart out of soft areas and at least 30 feet from greens unless otherwise marked.

After you finish a hole, move quickly to the next tee and mark your score down then hit away if the fairway is open.

If you are playing 18, don’t take an extensive break at the turn. Go right on to hole #10 if possible so you don’t hold up play or lose your place in line.

I know cell phones are a necessary way of life, but limit your use during play. Consider turning it off during the round.

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