5 Basics of Golf Etiquette

For a relaxing day of sport with some healthy competition and strategy, you can't beat golf. Whether playing with friends or with your work colleagues there are still a number of rules that need to be followed if you wish to be invited back for another game. Not the actual rules of play you understand, but rather informal rules of etiquette that keep the game moving, pleasant and enjoyable. What follows are a number of examples that, if followed, will keep the invites coming.

Punctuality

Golf can be a leisurely activity, but being late and keeping people waiting is still undesirable amongst friends and almost unforgivable when playing your boss. A full round can take long enough out of your day without unnecessary waiting around, so why not give yourself plenty of time to warm up and maybe even get in a few practice swings beforehand, but, be careful not to get carried away and leave your best game at the practice tee.

Order of play

It is generally accepted that the player with the lowest handicap is the first to tee off on the first hole After teeing off, the player whose ball lands the farthest from the green is next and on all subsequent holes the person who won the last hole is allowed to tee off first.

Only one practice shot

Ideally you will have warmed up beforehand and had the chance to take a few practice shots, if you arrived late (tut tut) and absolutely must practice, just take a single practice shot so as to avoid delaying play, even when putting. Even then this should ideally be avoided and developing a good pre shot routine will help you avoid the needless worrying and over thinking.

Be prepared

When you approach the ball to take the shot, be ready, have your chosen club ready and the head cover removed. Avoid wandering too far away from your ball but consider safety when others are playing, remember other groups are following you and waiting to play. If you are not ready to play it is polite to offer the chance to another player instead to keep up the pace of play.

Caring for the course

Always repair any damage you do to the course and any you find along the way, this can be done either by retrieving and replacing the divot and stepping upon it to press it back into place or using the seed mixtures commonly stored nearby for just such an occasion. If you are unfortunate enough to end up in a sand bunker, take the rake provided with you and rake over your footprints after your shot as other player will have to play the ball, from wherever it lands, even from your footprints.

3 Steps to Perfecting Your Draw Shots

The draw shot is a very powerful method to lower your score and create confidence in your game. To hit a successful draw the ball travels in the air from right to left. If the ball travels from left to right, this is a fade. It is a hook if the ball travels right to left in an uncontrollable manner. The draw shot is useful to get around obstacles in front of you or on fairway with a dogleg. Since the ball is rotating right to left when it lands on the ground the draw shot will give you some extra distance.

We have three simple steps that you can quickly use to start perfecting your draw shot.

The following steps are for right-handed golfers. If you are a leftie, simple reverse it.

Let's review the 3 simple steps that you can make to your current swing to get the ball traveling from right to left.

Step#1 - Begin by closing your stance. People confuse a closed stance with the distance between their feet. This is not the case. A closed stance is where your back is facing the target area. In a normal stance your feet are aligned to face the target. In other words, if we draw a line connecting the toe of your right foot to the toe of your left foot, and then continue this line it would go directly to target area. This means your left shoulder is also pointing directly at the target. With a closed stance your feet are aligned in such a way that if we draw a line connecting the toe of your right foot to the toe of your left foot, and then continue this line it would go directly to the right of the target. This means your left shoulder is also facing to the right of the target.

It is important to note that the amount of draw on the ball varies by the amount you close your stance. To fully understand this, spend some time on the practice range, varying your stance.

Step#2 - Now, while in your closed stance aim the clubface at directly at the target.

Step# 3 - Once you have your feet and shoulders aligned to the right of the target and aim the club face at the target, the just make your normal swing.

To most people this will feel odd. It certainly did for me! Your first several shots using a closed stance will feel awkward. Spending time on perfecting your draw shots develops confidence and you will lower your score accordingly.

The reason you must close your stance is this allows your swing to have a slight in-to-out path which gives the ball the left to right rotation.. Your hands will try to align with your shoulders and defeat the required mechanics of this shot. You will end up hitting the ball straight but to the right of the target. This is not a draw it is a misaligned shot.

As with any new shot, practice is the key to build confidence when you are out on the course. Develop a draw using the club that you have the most confidence with. If you have no preference I suggest starting with a 3 or 5 iron or fairway wood. On most courses you will have more opportunities to use a draw off the fairway or on par 3 holes. You will need to work with each club to get a feel for the stance required to get a draw.

In your practice sessions, remember to make note how much of a draw you get with each degree of closed stance, with each club. Write it down and keep it with you. The information will come in handy when you are on the course.

5 Basics of Golf Etiquette

For a relaxing day of sport with some healthy competition and strategy, you can't beat golf. Whether playing with friends or with your work colleagues there are still a number of rules that need to be followed if you wish to be invited back for another game. Not the actual rules of play you understand, but rather informal rules of etiquette that keep the game moving, pleasant and enjoyable. What follows are a number of examples that, if followed, will keep the invites coming.

Punctuality

Golf can be a leisurely activity, but being late and keeping people waiting is still undesirable amongst friends and almost unforgivable when playing your boss. A full round can take long enough out of your day without unnecessary waiting around, so why not give yourself plenty of time to warm up and maybe even get in a few practice swings beforehand, but, be careful not to get carried away and leave your best game at the practice tee.

Order of play

It is generally accepted that the player with the lowest handicap is the first to tee off on the first hole After teeing off, the player whose ball lands the farthest from the green is next and on all subsequent holes the person who won the last hole is allowed to tee off first.

Only one practice shot

Ideally you will have warmed up beforehand and had the chance to take a few practice shots, if you arrived late (tut tut) and absolutely must practice, just take a single practice shot so as to avoid delaying play, even when putting. Even then this should ideally be avoided and developing a good pre shot routine will help you avoid the needless worrying and over thinking.

Be prepared

When you approach the ball to take the shot, be ready, have your chosen club ready and the head cover removed. Avoid wandering too far away from your ball but consider safety when others are playing, remember other groups are following you and waiting to play. If you are not ready to play it is polite to offer the chance to another player instead to keep up the pace of play.

Caring for the course

Always repair any damage you do to the course and any you find along the way, this can be done either by retrieving and replacing the divot and stepping upon it to press it back into place or using the seed mixtures commonly stored nearby for just such an occasion. If you are unfortunate enough to end up in a sand bunker, take the rake provided with you and rake over your footprints after your shot as other player will have to play the ball, from wherever it lands, even from your footprints.

Golf Etiquette - 7 Dos and Don'ts

Golf is a pleasant way to spend your day whether playing your buddies or your boss, but, as laid back as the sport is, it still requires that we all follow some basic dos and don'ts to avoid earning a bad name amongst your fellow golfers. So, in order to keep the competition friendly, follow these tips and ensure the only reason they aren't talking to you, is because they lost.

Be punctual

Golf is a lengthy game and tardiness will not make you popular, so, unless you are seeking to surpass Marilyn Monroe's reputation at timekeeping, ensure you arrive at least 15 minutes early, even if playing with friends, and especially if playing with your boss.

Playing Order

It is commonly acknowledged that for the first hole, the player with the lowest handicap tees off first and for subsequent shots the player whose ball landed farthest from the green goes first. With each new hole the winner of the previous one goes first.

Don't take endless practice shots

Avoid the temptation to practice your swings repeatedly before actually taking the shot, one practice swing is plenty and not lingering in this fashion will avoid slowing down others player's game.

Be ready for your shots

Prepare for your shots before it is your turn wherever possible, have your club to hand and remove the cover beforehand. Remain as close as is practical to your ball without disrupting other peoples shots so as to avoid unnecessary delays in the game.

Be considerate of the course

Other people want to use the course as well so be mindful of any damage you do to it. Replace chunks of disturbed grass and gently press it back into place and rake the bunker you just left your footprints in. Caring for the course in this fashion will ensure everyone gets to enjoy it at its best.

Scoring

Be sure you don't use your scorecard on the green you have just played, the commonly accepted time to update it is on the way to the next course, it is considered bad form to update it whilst still on the same green.

Clothing

Now, appropriate clothing isn't exactly a necessity for playing golf, but you'll look a bit out of place if you turn up in jogging bottoms and a t-shirt and everyone else has their best golfing jumper on. Plus, proper golfing shoes can be great for upping your game.