Golf is a very dignified game of rules, manners and etiquette, and it’s quite important to know the basics of golfing etiquette before you play golf for the first time.

It doesn’t matter whether you are playing on your own, in a twosome or in a foursome, golfing etiquette demands that you must always wait your turn. You must remain aware of the group on the next hole and wait until they are well ahead of you before hitting your ball.

Golfing etiquette also means that it is never cool to “hurry” the group in front of you. If you are playing with others, wait for your turn to hit the ball; never hit at the same time as another player.

While you wait for your turn, go to your ball and determine what club you will need to use and how you are going to hit it. This is called “ready golf” and keeps the game moving along. Don’t rush anybody, just be ready.

Another nice piece of golfing etiquette, especially for beginners is ‘playing through’. For example, if your team is holding up the players behind you, perhaps because you are playing consistently over par or taking a long time to choose your club, let them play through. You would simply wave them through, or if they are not far away from you, just ask them if they would like to play through. You will never make enemies by doing this!

When someone is making a shot, you should be behind them and you shouldn’t make any noise! It is so distracting to be just about to to tee off and just as you pull back, someone decides to jingle loose change in their pocket or noisily unwrap a piece of candy.

Replacing divots. Let’s say you are on the fairway and you strike the ball a bit thick and a clod of earth and grass goes flying, golfing etiquette says that you ought to repair the hole. On some courses you just put the turf back and step on it to press it down, but on most courses, there is a sand/seed mixture on the course to put into the divot. Also, if your ball makes a deep impression when it lands on the green, you should use your divot tool to repair it.

As soon as you have completed a hole, replace the flag and leave the green quickly so that the next players can play that hole. Count your score and write it on the scorecard as soon as you’re back at your cart.

There is much more to golfing etiquette of course, but these simple essentials of golfing etiquette will enable you to get through the course without upsetting anyone. If we all keep to golfing etiquette we will keep the game friendly, or not?

If you are interested in learning more about golfing etiquette, visit our website on Golfing Tips for Beginners for tons of free recommendations.. Free reprint available from: Golfing Etiquette Basics.

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