So you have been invited to play golf somewhere and you are not really familiar with how to handle different situations from a golf etiquette standpoint. We understand where you are coming from, as we have all been there! Golf can be so much fun and is a lifelong game. Take your time to learn about proper golf etiquette and it could help you have more fun and help you get ahead in the business world.
Playing golf when you are a beginner is nerve wracking enough, now put into place all of these all expectations that come with playing golf. Do not stress out – we are here to help! Below you will find 11 suggestions and answers to commonly asked questions that we have all had at one time or another.
Your situation might be that you have been invited by some friends or maybe even your boss from work. You want to fit in and not be the outsider. Don’t worry, if you have been invited people enjoy being around you. If you don’t know, please ask. It is better to ask a simple question and get your answer then to do something that might drive someone in your group crazy all day. The guide below will get you off to a good start and help you come across as knowledgeable and aware of others
- Preparing for your round
- What time should you arrive at the course?
- Arriving at the course
- Pace of play
- Where to stand when others are hitting?
- Tee box
- Fairway
- Green
- Cell phone usage
- Don’t apologize
- Playing in an outing
- After the round
1) Preparing for your round
Overview: Make sure you have a decent looking golf bag and set of clubs (check current price on Amazon for a complete Callaway set and bag. If you are going to a higher end golf course such as a country club, make you sure you at least look the part. There are many stylish outfits available to both men and women. The old school golf fashion is long gone and there are many very comfortable and good looking outfits that will at least help you look the part from a fashion standpoint. You might want to buy an average pair of golf shoes or at least wear some tennis shoes. I have played golf with many people who can’t hit a good golf shot, but fit in from a fashion standpoint. Your respect level will quickly rise if you can meet this first rule.
DO NOT – Wear some baggy cargo like shorts where you look like a tourist out visiting some site. Do not show up with a golf bag from the 1960s that your grandfather picked up at a garage sale. There are some reasonable priced golf bags that won’t break the bank.
Tips: Golf shoes, golf shorts and a collared shirt will help you fit in. Have at least a dozen golf balls and some tees. Don’t forget a hit and some sunblock if necessary.
2) What Time Should I arrive at the course?
Overview: Golf is a game that takes somewhat of a major time commitment. If you are playing 18 holes you can expect at a minimum to spend 4 hours at the course once you tee off. I would recommend showing up 30 minutes prior to your tee time. This will give you time to get your golf shoes on, check in at the pro shop and hit some practice putts on the green – nothing is more embarrassing than hitting the first putt off the green. Stay calm and try to get the speed of the greens down. If you want you can show up earlier and hit at the driving range – this may help with the first tee jitters. Don’t worry, even the best golfers are bit nervous and anxious on the first tee.
DO NOT: Show up 3 minutes before your tee time. You will look like a complete amateur and just may miss your tee time. The rest of your group will start worrying about where you are at and cause them to be flustered as the round is starting.
Tips: 30 minutes is a decent amount of time to show up. Make sure you hit at the range or at least spend 5-10 minutes on the practice green. Check in with the starter so they know your group has arrived.
3) Arriving at the course
Overview: If you are playing at an elite golf course or a country club, they may have a bag drop where you can pull through and someone will take your bag out of your car and place it in the rack or on the back of a golf cart. Some places have a locker room where you can change your shoes and prepare for the round. If you are playing a public course, park in the lot, change your shoes and carry your bag towards the pro shop. Check in and pay and then warm up for your round.
DO NOT: Forget to tip the bag boy or girl that is helping you out by taking your clubs out of your car. They may also clean your clubs at the end of the round – another opportunity to tip.
Tips: Be friendly with those that you encounter. Smile and ask how they are doing. If you are playing golf as part of a business event, you want to come across that you are thankful for the opportunity and treat those around you as important people.
4) Pace of Play
Overview: The average round of golf should take 4 hours. You don’t want to be the person that causes the round to take 5-6 hours. If you really struggle with the game of golf, when you reach a certain shot number it is ok to pick up and be ready to move to the next hole. If the others in your group are good golfers, they will be supportive of you for the first 6-7 shots per hole, but once you hit 8 shots are more, it is ok to pick up and not hold up the pace of play. At the end of the day, everyone has a much better time if the round plays at a reasonable pace. If a faster group comes up behind you, consider letting them play through. The slow round of your group should not cause everyone else to be miserable on the course.
DO NOT: Stand there and take 3 practice swings before every shot. One quick rehearsal will work. Spot your target and swing away. Also, avoid taking massive divots with your practice swing. The greenskeeper thanks you in advance!
Tips: Your group might want to play ready golf. This means if you are ready to hit, go ahead look around and feel free to hit.
Don’t forget to check out our other posts on online golf instruction and how to break 100.
5) Where to stand when others are hitting?
Overview: You want to make sure you are standing somewhere behind them, but not directly behind them where you are in the sight line of the person hitting the shot. You also want to make sure you are not too close to them where you are in danger of getting hit. Remain quiet and still until the shot is in the air.
DO NOT: Move around when others are hitting. Stay still and let them hit. If you hit a bad shot, do not whine and complain for the next minute about how you hit the ball so much better at the driving range.
Tips: When someone hits a good shot, make sure you tell them nice shot or nice ball.
6) The Tee box
Overview: Whoever had the lowest score on the previous hole has the “honors,” make sure you provide them with the opportunity to hit. They may tell you to go ahead and hit if they are not ready, if so, go right ahead. Also, make sure you select to play from the proper tee box that matches your game. There is no shame in playing a set of tees further ahead, especially if you are a beginner.
DO NOT: Play the tips if you can’t hit the ball further than 260 yards. This slows down play and makes those around you miserable.
Tips: After the previous green, move quickly to the tee box and be ready when it is your turn. Make sure you have a tee and a ball in hand and stand between or behind the tee markers you are playing from.
7) The Fairway
Overview: Now that everyone has hit their tee shot and you are in the fairway or rough, this is where ready golf becomes important. If you are sharing a cart with another person, drop someone off at their ball and let the other person drive to their ball.
DO NOT: Sit there and watch another person hit, you should all try to get to your ball if it is safe to do so. This is an opportunity to get ready for your shot.
Tips: Make sure if you take a divot that you replace it or use the ready fill seed that some courses will put in the cart. Leave the course in better condition then how found it.
8) The Green
Overview: Now that all of the golfers are around the green, mark your ball and clean it off if needed. You can use a ball marker or something as simple as a coin. New rules allow someone to putt with the pin in, but if it is removed and you the first one to hole out, pick up the pin and stay off to the side until everyone has complete the hole. At that point you can put the pin back in the hole. One key here, early in the day or later in the afternoon, is to watch for your shadow. You want to keep your shadow out of the line where someone is putting. Also, when it is not your turn make sure you are reading your putt and are ready to go if you are next.
DO NOT: Walk in the intended line of the other golfers in group. Walk around their line if you must get to where you ball is at.
Tips: If you putt something within inside of two feet, go ahead and try to finish out the hole. Also, if you hit a decent shot into the green and it caused a ball mark, make sure you fix the ball mark with a repair tool or something as simple as a tee.
9) Cell Phone Usage
Overview: Many people play golf to get away from the hustle and bustle of the day. Keep this in mind and be courteous of your fellow golfers. You are there to enjoy the game of golf, the weather and surroundings, and the other people in your group. Nothing is more aggravating than playing golf with someone who is constantly on their phone. If you are too busy to get away from your phone, you should reconsider making the commitment in the first place. Everyone understands the emergency or urgent phone call, but it shouldn’t happen every hole.
DO NOT: Talk loudly on the your phone and always have your face in your phone. You are there with others, not only to golf, but to enjoy the company of those in your foursome.
Tips: Turn your phone on silent or do not disturb. Nothing would be more embarrassing then having your phone ring or buzz in the middle of someone’s swing. There are some decent apps such that are GPS based that help with yardages.
10) Don’t Apologize
Overview: If you are a new golfer and still struggle with the game, do not apologize after every shot. One pet peeve of many better golfers is the golfer that talks about how well they golfed last time or hit at the range, but struggle to hit even one quality shot. It is ok not to be good at the game of golf. Realistically, the majority of the people in your group, do not overly care the score that you shoot as long as you are being honest. I have seen many people over the years who want to be thought of as a good golfer and will lie about their score. Everyone in the group knows what you shot and you can’t fool them. You don’t want to be the talk of the office because you faked your way to breaking 100. Be honest and you will be able to track your score and improvement over time.
DO NOT: Whine about your game or your inability to hit good shots. We have all struggled even after a good round or a good range session. It truly is ok – it’s only a game!
Tips: Enjoy the round and do not stress about your game. Have fun and track your progress through other means than just the score.
11) Playing in an outing
Overview: Throughout the summer months there are many golf outings that are fundraisers for different good causes. The outing scene is a bit different and can sometimes be more relaxed and enjoyable for the beginner golfer. Once again, still arrive 30 minutes early and be a good teammate. Many times you will play a scramble, where everyone hits form the same spot and then uses the best shot of the group until the team holes out. This is a fun way to see how good golfers play the game and to take the stress out of your performance for that day. Everyone has an opportunity to help the group out in one way or another.
DO NOT: Over drink at an outing. The game can become dangerous and you don’t want to be the talk of the office for your on the course antics that made you look like a fool.
Tips: Enjoy the round and the course. It is a great way to practice your game and have some competitions. Many outings will play skins game and that 20 foot putt that you roll in for the group could win some big money and you will be the talk of the office for good reasons! Practice your putting if you are beginner golfer and have an upcoming outing.
12) After the round
Overview: If you were a guest at a nice courses or country club, be sure to thank you host and tip the bag boys and girls. Enjoy the time and on the way home reflect on how you can get better. Be very complimentary of the course and the opportunity to play. It truly is a treat to play some of the better and prestigious golf courses in your area – show your appreciation for the opportunity.
DO NOT: Complain about the pace of play or how bad the greens might have been. You do not want to come across as unthankful for the opportunity.
Tips: Being the positive, optimistic person in any foursome is always refreshing to your fellow golfers.
Summary
Golf is meant to be a fun game, enjoyed by all on the course that day. Your attitude and mindset will go a long way in coming across as someone others enjoy golfing with. Not everyone can be the best golfer in the group. So enjoy the beautiful course, the company of those in your group and be complimentary. The number one tip to help with golf etiquette in different situations is to think of the impact you are having on those around you. Are you making the round better or worse? Have fun, try to relax and hit that one shot that will make you want to come back!
