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Golf Etiquette
A word «etiquette» is applied to golf probably more often than to any other sport. One can find an explanation to that in its nature that does not end within a demonstration of physical skills. It lies in the ancient traditions, which attach to golf a separate noble culture. Rules, brought together under a common title «golf etiquette», make the game both harmonious and safe. They underline civility of relations between players, who realize they are a part of a selected society. Prestige and future of golf are in their hands.
Discipline within the bounds of mutual respect and cooperation allows a play inspiration of any golfer to open completely. That is why we hope you will take from this section a lot of precious information.
The Open champion tells about the etiquette of golfNew!
Watch a new popular film on golf etiquette.
It was made in 2007 and it is a product of R&A. In a clear and dynamic way, it tells about rules of behavior on a golf course, attitude to partners in a game and on real sport properties. It puts a viewer into atmosphere of golf – a game, which is an example of decent respect and sophisticated competition in sport.
The Open champion Padraig Hurrington is the anchorman of the film. Quoting David Rickman, R&A Director of rules, this wonderful player «is a role model for good behavior, on and around the golf course».
Details >>
Watch the film >>
PRO tips for golfers!
Kids' sectionNew!
| | These two funny cartoons tell cheerfully and amusingly how one ought and ought not to play golf. These cartoons are open at any time of a day for youngsters who have decided already to join our Teenager Golf School. Especially when we come closer to New Year! It is a special gift of the Club for a Christmas tree of our future champions! | |
General section
The bulk of materials was developed in a leading international golf organization — American Golf Association (USGA). Kiev Golf Club provided translation and editing.
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| © Courtesy of USGA | |
DRESS-CODE AND GOLF ETIQUETTE
Basic Golf Etiquette and some notes about how to play golf
Good form, in golf, means more than how your swing’s working. It also means you understand the look and feel of the game. Here are the basic laws of golf etiquette.
You’ve just been invited to play a round of golf at an exclusive country club. Is your head filled with the prospect of prestigious recreation, or promotion when playing the same game with your boss, — or pure panic? You might have reason to panic, especially if you usually play golf with your buddies at the public course wearing a tee shirt and cut off jeans, and telling loud jokes while others are putting!
It’s more and more common for golf to be a setting for conducting business. Ninety percent of the CEOs from the Fortune 500 companies play!
Many corporations are discovering that golf is a great way to evaluate a prospective employee.
Dress appropriately for Golf
Show up looking presentable! If you’re playing with the guys from the office, think of this as a professional engagement requiring appropriate dress.
Most private country clubs have a dress code that usually requires:
- A golf shirt with a collar. Unsure of what constitutes acceptable clothing for a game of golf? Sticking to name brand golf wear is a very safe bet.
- Shorts are OK, but they must be designed for golf; not gym shorts or cut-offs. They should be no shorter than just above your knees.
- Denim apparel is usually not appropriate.
- Pants and/or shorts should have belt loops, but no cuffs since they trap dirt.
- Wear a leather belt. The belts that Tiger wears, with a silver tip, are stylish.
- Golf clothes are often bright and colorful, but you don’t need to wear all the colors at the same time! Colors are like kids and employees. Some work together, and get along just fine; others always fight. Choose one bright color and pair with neutrals (tan, black, white). Maybe the first time you play with your boss a classic combination of brown or blue with khaki would be a wise choice. And only one plaid (or patterned) element in your attire, please!
- Wear proper golf shoes — not running shoes, or sandals! Just about every country club on the planet has switched from metal spikes to require soft spikes or a “built-into-the-sole” tread design. Bring a pair of street shoes. You may be having lunch or a drink in the clubhouse afterwards. Change into your golf shoes in the locker room, not at your car in the parking lot.
- If you’re wearing long pants the socks should match your trousers. If you opt for shorts, wear light colored socks with white or saddle style shoes; black socks with black shoes. The black socks and shoes looks slightly nerdy, but if you want to wear black shoes with shorts that’s the best combo!
- Hats are a good idea. They help keep the sun off your face, and may improve your vision. Either baseball style or straw golf hats are appropriate.
- If you’re playing in cooler weather (like most 6 am tee times!) a golf sweater, vest, or jacket is practical.
Dressing appropriately shows respect for the member who invited you, the other members of your group, and for the great and ancient game of golf.
Golf Etiquette
Now, we’ll provide some guidelines on the manner in which the game of golf should be played. If they are followed, all players will gain maximum enjoyment from the game. The overriding principle is that consideration should be shown to others on the course at all times.
HONESTY AND INTERGITY OF THE GAME
Unlike many sports, golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of their personal value. This is the spirit of the game of golf.
SAFETY
Players should ensure that no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs or the like when they make a stroke or practice swing.
Players should not play until the players in front are out of range. Players should always alert greenstaff nearby or ahead when they are about to make a stroke that might endanger them. If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, he should immediately shout a warning. The traditional word of warning in such a situation is «fore!»
CONSIDERATION FOR OTHER PLAYERS
Avoiding Distraction to Other Players
Players should always show consideration for other players on the course and should not disturb their play by moving, talking or making any unnecessary noise. Players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course does not distract other players. It is even better to turn such devices off.
How To Respect The Rules Of Cell Phone Etiquette. Put your phone in vibrate mode on a course during a game and in public zones of a club.
Always be prepared to have the right reflexes in case you forgot to turn off your phone. If it rings, try pressing the “end” button 2-3 times to interrupt the call then power off your cell phone. Don’t distract others with a ring or an attempt to answer. Even whispering won’t make it discrete enough.
“Short text messages” are a great way to communicate in silence.
Putting Green Etiquette
On the putting green, players should not stand on another player’s line of putt or when he is making a stroke, cast a shadow over his line of putt. Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all other players in the group have holed out.
Scoring Etiquette
In stroke play, a player who is acting as a marker should, if necessary, on the way to the next tee, check the score with the player concerned and record it.
PACE OF PLAY
Playing at Good Pace
Players should play at a good pace. The Committee may establish pace of play guidelines that all players should follow.
It is a group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group.
Be Ready to Play
Players should be ready to play as soon as it is their turn to play. When playing on or near the putting green, they should leave their bags or carts in such a position as will enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee. When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.
Saving Time with a Lost Ball
If a player believes his ball may be lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, to save time, he should play a provisional ball.
Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found. They should not search for five minutes before doing so. Having allowed the group behind to play through, they should not continue play until that group has passed and is out of range.
PRIORITY ON A COURSE
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the course is determined by a group’s pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round.
On the teeing ground, a player should not tee his ball until it is his turn to play.
Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball, or directly behind the hole, when a player is about to play.
CARE OF A COURSE
Bunker Etiquette
Before leaving a bunker, players should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints made by them and any nearby made by others. If a rake is within reasonable proximity of the bunker, the rake should be used for this purpose.
Divots Repair Etiquette
Players should carefully repair any divot holes made by them and any damage to the putting green made by the impact of a ball (whether or not made by the player himself). On completion of the hole by all players in the group, damage to the putting green caused by golf shoes should be repaired.
Preventing Unnecessary Damage
Players should avoid causing damage to the course by removing divots when taking practice swings or by hitting the head of a club into the ground, whether in anger or for any other reason.
Players should ensure that no damage is done to the putting green when putting down bags or the flagstick.
In order to avoid damaging the hole, players and caddies should not stand too close to the hole and should take care during the handling of the flagstick and the removal of a ball from the hole. The head of a club should not be used to remove a ball from the hole.
Players should not lean on their clubs when on the putting green, particularly when removing the ball from the hole.
The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before players leave the putting green.
Local notices regulating the movement of golf carts should be strictly observed.
CONCLUSION; PENALTIES FOR BREACH
If players follow the guidelines in this Section, it will make the game more enjoyable for everyone.
If a player consistently disregards these guidelines during a round or over a period of time to the detriment of others, it is recommended that the Committee consider taking appropriate disciplinary action against the offending player. Such action may, for example, include prohibiting play for a limited time on the course or in a certain number of competitions. This is considered to be justifiable in terms of protecting the interest of the majority of golfers who wish to play in accordance with these guidelines.
In the case of a serious breach of Etiquette, the Committee may disqualify a player.
3-D animation by USGA