| Golf course etiquette is an important subject | | | | of the way, and besides, they will probably |
| for all golfers to review and try to | | | | know what your skill level is after the first |
| practice. Unfortunately, not all golfers | | | | couple of holes anyway. |
| practice good etiquette, and this can lead to | | | | |
| a miserable round of golf. | | | | If you happen to be the worst player in your |
| | | | group, there are some things that you can do |
| Practicing courteous and considerate golf is | | | | to show your consideration for the other |
| always important then, but never more so than | | | | golfers in the group. One is that if you are |
| when you are playing on a strange course by | | | | taking an inordinate number of strokes to get |
| yourself and are paired with strangers. So | | | | close to the hole, just simply pick your ball |
| here are a few suggestions to help you make | | | | up and quit that hole in order to show |
| sure that your golf experience in this case | | | | courtesy to your playing partners and not |
| is still a good one. | | | | hold up the game. |
| | | | |
| First of all, it's not fair to the rest of | | | | Another good practice is to not spend your |
| the golfers in your group if you just show up | | | | time moaning and groaning about your game as |
| to play with absolutely no practice or | | | | you go around the course. Of course, whenever |
| preparation beforehand. So to show | | | | we don't play well we have a tendency to feel |
| consideration to others, as well as to | | | | bad about, but try to keep as much of it to |
| improve your own score, get to the clubhouse | | | | yourself as possible out of consideration for |
| early and get in some good quality time on | | | | your group. |
| the driving range and practice greens. This | | | | |
| will help you get nice and limbered up | | | | Something else to avoid is to be constantly |
| beforehand and ready to play so that you can | | | | analyzing your swing and your game as you go |
| usually start out playing your best right | | | | around the course. The simple truth is, the |
| away. | | | | golf course is not the place for learning |
| | | | about your swing or your golf game. The place |
| When you speak to the starter, it's a good | | | | for working out problems with your swing and |
| idea to let them know your skill level and be | | | | your game is on the practice tee, while the |
| very honest when you do. The reason for this | | | | golf course if there for actually playing the |
| is that regardless of what anyone else says | | | | game instead. So be considerate of your |
| most golfers like to play with people of | | | | fellow golfers, and don't try to work out |
| their own skill level. Most average golfers | | | | your swing problems on the golf course. |
| can play with each other without much of a | | | | |
| problem, but if a very high handicap golfer | | | | On the other side of the coin, if you happen |
| is paired with a low handicap golf group, it | | | | to be the best golfer in the group, be kind |
| can make for a difficult round of golf. And | | | | and considerate to the others in your group, |
| of course the opposite is also true. | | | | and try to keep conversation as light as |
| | | | possible, even if things are not going well |
| In order to avoid this situation, tell the | | | | for them. |
| starter what your average golf score is | | | | |
| honestly and they can usually know who to | | | | Playing with strangers can be intimidating |
| match you up with for the best results. When | | | | for almost any golfer, but by showing a |
| you meet the fellow golfers in your group for | | | | little consideration and empathy for those |
| the first time, it's a good idea to again | | | | you play with, your playing partners will |
| honestly assess your skill level with them | | | | often turn out to be friends at the end of |
| right away, even if you happen to be a | | | | the round instead of strangers. |
| relatively new golfer. This gets all that out | | | | |