New to golf, need some etiquette tips please

[Nick]

Im going to be going out onto the course for the first time soon and im not aware of all the etiquette thats involved when playing on a course. There shouldn't be too many players on the course because its a local college course thats just 9 holes. Any tips would be great, i don't want to upset any players due to my inexperience. Thanks!

-Nick

[MI Rob]

Be quiet when otheres are hitting, keep up your pace of play, don;t hit into the group ahead of you if there is one, if you have a chance of hitting someone just yell "fore". alot of people tend to forget about yelling fore lately I have noticed.
The main one, go have some fun.
Good luck.

[JSwiney10]

Just be nice to every one and conciderate of others, shouldnt be too hard to fit right in. Try to avoide driving the golf cart like its and indy car and repair all your ball marks on the greens. Also, don't be too loud or obnoxious when others are playing close to you....and yell fore!!! if you hit a crazy shot onto the next fairway (you will be saying this lot since you're new,lol) There's not as many unspoken rules to golf as you would expect.

Above all, have fun

[walk18]

They've pretty much covered it. The only thing I'd add is to not step on your partner's putting line.

[Ed_Bighead]

http://www.amazon.com/Golf-Rules-Eti.../dp/076455333X

[enduro]

Play "ready golf". That is, be ready to play your ball.

Take no more than 2 practice swings. It won't do you any good taking more, slows you down and actually can tire you some.

Never walk in someones putting line.

Mark your ball always.

Fix ball marks and any other you happen to see.

Make sure you do everything you can to not put others in danger with your shot.

Don't talk during back swings.

Don't practice swing while others are getting ready to play a shot.

Pick up your tee after a tee shot.

Don't give advice to others unless they ask.

Rake the bunker.

Only spend a couple minutes tops looking for your ball.

[Nick]

Thank you all very much for the tips. Ill be sure to keep all of these things in mind when im out there!

[microcrayfish]

There's no secret to golf etiquette. Just make sure you think of others first and consider how your actions may affect other players' ability to play the game safely, enjoyably and without distraction. The only other thing is if you "damage" the course in any way (divots, pitch marks, etc.) make sure you fix it to the best of your ability.

In today's "me first" society simple courtesy and the ability to consider other people seems to be dying out, but if you can just act politely you should be fine. Even if you do mess up and do something wrong people will take it a lot better if you haven't been acting like a dick all round.

[Knockglock]

What everyone else said pretty much covers it. But i'd just like to add, that if you hit it 30 yards OB don't spend 20 minutes looking for it when its obviously gone. Just take a quick search if its likely you will be able to find it.

Also, don't play an extremely aggressive shot that theres no chance in heck your gonna make it. I guess i mean, don't waste everyones time by trying to execute things way above your skill level.

And also if you've sliced your driver 80 yards OB 17 times in a row then please take an iron off the tee.

[mcfc_nick]

repair your divots in the fairway

[Uber$winG]

Maybe consider this…

If you are the one to pull the flagstick then place it on the fringe/apron of the green out of the line of the player’s putts. If you sink your putt first then etiquette dictates that you should be the one to replace the flagstick.

[2bGood]

Play "ready golf". That is, be ready to play your ball.

Do take you practice swing if you happen to be 80 yards away and out of the sight line.

Also watch that your shadow does get cast on other golfers or their putting line when they are taking a shot or putting.

[imtomtomim]

I gotta say it's really comforting to see people asking about etiquette before they go out. I've been noticing worse and worse behavior out on the courses these days. I may sound old and cenile but I'm only 22.

Just make sure you're respectful of the course and the players there. Replace those beaver tails you whack out there, fix the ball marks on the green, and if you notice quicker players behind you and there's room to move up infront of you, speed up, or if you'd rather take a bit more time, offer to let them through.

OH, thing about fixing your ball marks on the greens, don't try to lift it up out of the hole. Stretch the grass around it inwards. an incorrectly fixed ball mark is almost as bad as leaving a hole there.

Have fun!

[Nick]

Thanks again guys, i figured most of this stuff would be common sense but i just wanted to be sure that i wasn't missing anything. All of these suggestions are great and ill keep all of them in mind when im out there. Im just worried about getting through a whole round without loosing all my balls!! Thanks again,

-Nick

[Knockglock]

Thanks again guys, i figured most of this stuff would be common sense but i just wanted to be sure that i wasn't missing anything. All of these suggestions are great and ill keep all of them in mind when im out there. Im just worried about getting through a whole round without loosing all my balls!! Thanks again,

Just bring a lot of cheapie balls and don't get too attached to them :)

Consider getting some used/water balls for your round

[Nick]

Just bring a lot of cheapie balls and don't get too attached to them :)

Yeah i think ill get a bag of recycled balls. They sell them everywhere it seems.

[lumpuckeroo]

Yeah i think ill get a bag of recycled balls. They sell them everywhere it seems.

Be sure you mark them, not cool to hit one in the rough/woods and then not know what ball you hit from the tee when you and your playing partners are looking for it.

Unless of course that is your plan, my brother-in-law has lost a ball in 10 years, of course he hasn't paid for a ball in 10 years.....

[DavidFehertysBike]

When somebody in your group misses a short putt for par, make sure you laugh and point at him all the way to the next tee box. It's been done that way for centuries on the links.