Post different course etiquettes please!

- If your course puts sand/seed mix on the cart, use it....even in the fairway.

- ANYONE can shank a golf ball. Learn where the danger area is and stay out of it. It always bugs me when people are in any area where I may potentially hit them.

- Cell phone ringers on = bad.

- You mentioned walking on someone's putting line. Some folks get distracted by movement on the line that extends beyond the cup when they're putting.

First one to putt out on the hole replaces the flag.  Let it lay on the ground, but stand close to it so you can replace it.  

If you lag a putt and are going to putt it in... tell your playing partner that "you will finish."  I hate when I am lined up and ready to go (ready golf) and then they re-align their ball and putt it in.  Announce for goodness sakes.  

Help playing partners look for their ball hit in the trees/rough (pretty basic but some dont help and it just slows play)

I'm not sure if this is etiquette or a pet peeve, but the shadow of a partner moving across your stance as you are swinging.  On occasion, I will have a playing partner that will head back to the cart as soon as I begin my backswing and his shadow will cross the ball position before impact...rather annoying.

Never walk into a bunker without bringing a rake.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beachcomber 

Don't leave the green until everyone has putted out.

Ummm we do this all the time in our group. We don't pull a Sabatini and go tee off while others are putting out but all standing around watching seems like a giant waste of time. We like to play fairly fast though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beachcomber 

Get a divot tool - or use a golf tee and repair your pitch marks (divot) on the green. If you can't find it, fix another one while you're waiting for the foursome to putt out.

Not really a etiquette thing, but how about learning how to properly fix a ball mark. A tee is NOT a proper tool, and popping the dang thing up from the middle is almost as bad as just leaving it. Erik used to have a good video about how to properly fix a ball mark, but I found this one on Youtube.

This should be one, not sure if it is though -

On the tee, let the person hitting ahead of you clear the teeing area before you walk up to hit your drive. I see too many dysfunctional dances as the player who just hit picks up his tee while the next player is walking in.

Play ready golf. Plan out your next shot before it is your turn to play.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zipazoid 

This should be one, not sure if it is though -

 

On the tee, let the person hitting ahead of you clear the teeing area before you walk up to hit your drive. I see too many dysfunctional dances as the player who just hit picks up his tee while the next player is walking in.

Good call there Zippy... 

Quote:

Originally Posted by NM Golf 

Ummm we do this all the time in our group. We don't pull a Sabatini and go tee off while others are putting out but all standing around watching seems like a giant waste of time. We like to play fairly fast though.

I think of this as a guideline rather than a hard rule. In general, it's best to wait. Yes, it's standing around "wasting time," but wandering off can be a distraction and put undue pressure on the last putter to just hurry up and get out of the way. However, if there's something that needs to be done, I don't think it's a major violation to go do it. For example, if you need to fetch a cart or golf bag that was left out of position, go ahead and get on that rather than waiting around. (Of course, as another point of etiquette, you should put your cart or bag behind the green on the way to the next tee, but it does come up sometimes that you end up in a situation where you'll waste more time moving it around than just leaving it where it is.)

If you're a smoker, leave the cigs in your cart... don't drag them to the green or box and choke me out. If you're puffing and in your cart and I pull up next to you, go about your business, just don't drag your smog around with you.

Help me find my ball... I know I'm spending time looking for yours.

A more helpful thing than anything else. Being that golf is so mental, don't let your partner know that every shot was weak, or that one was s#itty or whatever negative remarks you have in your arsenal. Point out the good ones, find the best of a bad situation... "oh wow that has a great line from here" or even something like "that'll be a fun shot to try" (without sarcasm dripping from your teeth lol.

I've seen a lot of people, myself included, get in their own head and trash a round bad shot after bad shot due to focusing on so many bad shots. In the end they don't even notice or take enjoyment from hitting a good one.

Avoid walking on thru lines.  I try to avoid stepping within 2 feet of the cup (if possible)

Always yell out "MASHED POTATOES!" as your buddies make impact on the tee box. Always.

Lets see,

-On the tee help track other player's ball in the air, sometimes you can loose sight of them

-On the green, remember that the line of a putt for a player extends past the hole. So if you step near the hole just past someones line you just marked up were there ball might be.

-Be cautious of your shadow, no one really thinks about it, but it can be annoying.

-STOP PICKING UP LOST GOLF BALLS THAT ARE IN THE ROUGH, i've had golf balls i known to have dropped down, not to be found, and i have seen people try to pick up my ball. If it isn't in the trees, or in the thicket, leave it alone.

Some of the things others have mentioned are great tips.  I will go a bit further and say it really depends on who you are playing with.  Most of the guys I play with are good players but are not real strict on everyone staying on the green until everyone is done, waiting until someone leaves the tee box to approach for their tee shot, etc.  We play on a busy course and know to just play ready golf.

That all said, playing with folks you do not know or never played with, try your best to follow etiquette unless they tell you otherwise.  I have played with new folks who told me after a few holes not to be worried about perfect etiquette and then some who made it well known by their actions they are strict about it.  Just know your playing partners.

The absolute do's to me are:

1. Never walk on someone's putting line

2. Repair Divots (it amazes me how many do not)

3. Do not talk during someone's swing

4. Turn the damn cell phone ringer off and if you have to take a call, leave the area where others cannot hear you.

5. Do not drop the flag down on the green. This is one many folks do and do not realize the damage it can do to a green.  Gently lay it down.

6. Help others look for their ball and unless in a tournament, look for 2-3 minutes and play on.

7. I like to help my partners by handing their clubs, towel, etc. when on the green to speed up play and also help make up for anything I have done that might have annoyed them.  Its just a nice gesture that helps.

Main thing to remember is that noone is perfect.  We all are going to or already do something that annoys someone else. Just do your best and always keep pace of play in mind.  If your group is too slow, be the person who steps up and asks everyone to speed up some.  I am usually that guy because I hate waiting and always just tell my partners (unless the groups in front of us are backed up as well) to start playing ready golf.  Never had anyone not agree and we play faster and make the day enjoyable for everyone.  I always feel that everyone on the course should respect one another no matter what hole they are on.  I think treating the course well is good karma and I can always use some during a round.