by Chris C

Created on: January 29, 2007   Last Updated: May 01, 2007

Golf course etiquette, the mere suggestion of this tends to bring up fierce discussions in club houses across the country. Golf is a great sport when played with people you enjoy being around but the wrong person in front of you or behind you can ruin a good game.
Let's start on the tee box. Most golfers know how far and how straight their drives will go. If you are on a pretty straight 420 yard par 4 and you know that your drive will go 230 yards straight up the middle, you might not want to hit if the foursome in front of you is only 180 yards out. Always think like this: If you were the one lining up your second shot, would you want the guy behind you to drill you in the head with a ball that's hard as a rock with a closing velocity of 110 MPH? I don't think so.

Now we'll move on to our second shot. Following a beautiful drive of 220 yards, you find yourself in the middle of the fairway peering down onto a green covered with guys who couldn't sink a three inch putt to save par if their lives depended on it. Now, you could go ahead and lay up and hope for a chip in with the third shot, or you can patiently wait until all four guys in front of you 5 putt for triple bogey and move off the green. I suggest the latter if you know you can land on the green with a good chance for a nice birdie putt. Go ahead and lay up if you are confident in your short game though. Now, as for the 4 guys in front of you, let's say you are in that group. When you get to the next Tee box, stop, sit on the little wooden bench and wait for the group behind to catch up and play through. If you have time to spare to waste 5 hours on a golf course, an extra 10 minutes won't kill you. Letting a faster group play through will do two things, ease your mind because you are no longer holding them up and improve their game by lowering their frustration level at having to wait for you to 5 putt.
Back to the approach shot from 180 yards out. You pick up your 6 iron, line up and give it a whack. Beautiful! Right on the green, 12 feet from the cup. Once you are on the green, there are a few things to remember as well. First, please don't trample the line of the other guys shot. Nothing says Bogey like a putt thrown off course by a spike mark on the green. For that matter, a ball divot will have the same effect, so please repair ball marks. Always remain relatively, if not completely quiet while your buddy lines up his 30 foot birdie shot. It's just plain rude to yell at the beer cart as he's about to make a gallant effort at Birdie. Besides, if you are quiet while he putts, he is more likely to do the same for you.
In conclusion, play to your speed while ensuring you don't impede the group behind you, repair all ball marks and divots and don't overdrive the group in front of you. Silence is Golden, especially while someone is putting or driving. Do unto others as you have them do unto you.... FORE!

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