So, you’re looking to start playing golf. I for one, congratulate you on making this superb decision in the pursuit of perfection. As you are starting your journey of shanks, slices, hooks, gums, duffs, putting it absolutely stiff or smashing it straight down the pipe; let’s get you to understand how to go about this journey while being considerate of others.
Firstly, let’s start with some definitions of key words or phrases you are likely to hear at any golf course.
Divots – these are the chunks of earth missing from fairways after practice swinging or after hitting your shot. Please remember to always fill them. All courses should provide you with the preferred matter to fill these chunks with. Can range from sand to specialized feed mix to help the grass grow a little quicker.
Pitch Marks – these are the dents we make in the green with our approach shots. If you are not hitting the green from more than 25m, the chances are your pitch marks won’t exist or will be minimal. Please, please, please remember to fix these, no matter the size. There is nothing more annoying than an unrepaired pitch mark bouncing a perfect putt off line.
Putting line – this is the line you or your playing partner think the ball should travel on during a putt to get into the hole. Do not walk over someone else’s line as this could cause the ball to bounce off line. In the past, metal spikes were on the bottom of golfer’s shoes, so this could really change the putt. Today, with soft spikes, it is not as damaging to the greens, but it still shows courtesy to your playing partners.
Play through – this is an especially important phrase for the slow and very quick players. Everyone playing in the golf course has paid to enjoy their time, but it does not mean that you are entitled to enjoy your experience while ruining someone else’s. If you are not half a hole behind the people in front, please look behind you. If those playing behind you are waiting on every shot and you are not…let them Play through. This will not only improve their day, but will also take the pressure off of you to play better.
Honors – This means the player has the right to tee off first as they had the best score on the previous hole. It can be decided by points or shots. It’s up to you and the folks you are playing with.
Sandbag – this has two meanings. One, is the bag that keeps the matter that you will fill your divots with. The other meaning is a player that plays much better than his handicap regularly. Also known as a ringer in some places.
Hook – This a shot that moves dramatically towards your side of the ball. For RH golfers, this would mean your ball moving from right to left quite aggressively.
Draw – A shot that moves slightly towards your side of the ball.
Slice – This a shot that moves dramatically away from your side of the ball. For RH golfers, this would mean your ball moving from left to right quite aggressively.
Fade – A shot that moves slightly away from your side of the ball.
Gum/Teeth – This is when you hit the ball with the bottom edge of your club face. Usually resulting during chipping or pitching and leaves you dramatically further than you thought the ball would go.
Duff – This is when you hit the ground behind the ball, trust me you will know the feeling. Usually resulting during chipping or pitching and leaves you dramatically shorter than you thought the ball would go.
Shank – This is when you hit the ball where the shaft and clubhead meet. It can be characterized by the ball shooting off away from you and heading nowhere towards where you wanted it to go. It is one of golf’s greatest demons. When you hit a shank, all confidence is lost and it’s best to just forget about it.
Gimme – This is when your ball is so close to the hole that your playing partner will give you the putt as they do not believe that you could miss it.
Stiff – This is when you are within ‘gimme’ range from the pin, usually after an approach shot or pitch.Down the pipe – When you have absolutely smoked a shot straight down the middle of the fairway.
Now that we have a few phrases, I’m going to share with you the golf etiquette I use to try and be as considerate as possible to other golfers on the course.
- Greet the people you are playing with, with a handshake and a how do you do.
- Ask who would like the honors on the 1st tee. Can also be decided with coin tosses or tee flips.
- ALWAYS repair divots and pitch marks. If they aren’t yours, do a couple if you have time. Make sure you are aware of where the people laying behind you are.
- AS golf is becoming more popular and there is less space, I suggest ready golf. So, it’s not the person furthest from the hole that goes first, although this is the traditional method. Ready golf essentially allows whomever is ready to play this shot. This generally speeds up play.
- Do not play when someone else is getting ready, it can confuse people. If someone you are playing with is preparing to hit, simply stop and watch what they are doing. It will also help with the next point.
- Help your playing partners search for their golf ball. If you cannot find the ball in 3min, drop roughly where you think it is and play from there.
- Keep your pace of play. Do not fall more than half a hole behind the people in front of you. If you are more than a hole behind, look behind you. You may be holding a group up and trust me they are getting annoyed.
- If you are playing a little slow, try to let the people directly behind you through. One group every three holes is generally my rule. Reason being you might be sitting at one hole letting everyone through as the day is that busy.
- Leave your cart or golf bag next to or behind the green when putting. Preferably on the way to the next tee. This will allow the next group to play their approach shots as soon as you leave the green. Also write your scores down on tee boxes, not the greens.
- Treat others the way you would like to be treated.
Please remember, take it easy on yourself. Golf is a journey. Most of us will never go pro, it is simply a sport to enjoy. Every one of us has played great and atrociously. It’s all part of it. If you are frustrated, take it out at the 19th hole with a few bevvies and rants with your playing partners.
Trust me, in every round there is greatness and disappointment. I for one have duffed, gummed and shanked during golf rounds. Just like in life, it’s how you deal with it.