Merih;2133276; said:
So I just picked up golf last fall, and have been making leaps and bounds worth of improvements just from my visits to the driving range. However, the only course that I've been to is a little Par 3 nine holer. I go there because it's a better learning environment and because it's always empty so I don't get in people's way...
What would you guys say are your cardinal rules of golf? What to do and what not to do the course?
Let faster groups play through is a big one. Don't fish balls out of the water is another good one from Thump. Also these, which I generally tell newer golfers of all ages:
Don't wait too long to hit the next shot or tee off (this can be a tough one to read occasionally, as in when are they far enough out to be out of range, but if you are a beginner and the group in front of you is 275-300 yards out, it is highly unlikely you are going to threaten them with the shot). Too many people make rounds slower by waiting to hit shots only pros can hit, especially off the tee. Of course the opposite can be true as well, people get in a hurry and hit into the group in front of them. NEVER do that...you are likely to get the ball hit back at you. Or worse. So just use good judgement and apologize if you happen to make a mistake. People understand and react much better if you are just contrite about it.
Don't dawdle on the greens on busy days...by all means you can get behind your putt and line it up, but don't pull the pro shit of circling the green and looking at every reverse angle 3 times, because it takes too long and the assholes that do that never make their putts anyway. Then the fuckers take another 2-3 practice putts again because it had to, HAD TO break the way they thought when they read it for 10 minutes. Big no-no.
RAKE THE FUCKING SAND. Goddammit I hate when people don't do that. Also repair your ballmarks and spike marks on the greens. It's just simple courtesy. Respect the grounds and living things on the course. If you see a turtle or a groundhog, let them be. Respect for the course is easy and wins you a lot of friends.
If someone loses a ball, go help them find it. 3 people looking find things a lot faster than 1 does. Too often the rest of the group stands in the fairway waiting to line up that perfect second shot while their group mate is wandering in John Daly territory looking for their ball around the hospitality tent. Help them find the ball, but...
and this is important...leave a single person in the fairway or on the green whenever possible so that people know your group is still there. Otherwise they might hit into you if they don't see you all looking in the woods or over a hill. So in a foursome, 3 lookers and one marker is good.
If you have to go into another fairway, or even into shared rough, WATCH FOR OTHER GOLFERS. Goddamn it, too many people think they are playing in their own yard with no one else there. If you have to cut across a hole, allow the group on that hole to have the right of way. Always communicate with the group whenever possible if they are not standing over their shot. A lot of times you can work out who will hit and in what order so that no one is in any danger. Otherwise their ball..or yours...could whiz by someone's head.
Again, good judgement, common sense, and respect for the grounds will immediately win you lots of friends in the clubhouse. Beginners can be terrified that experienced golfers are going to hate that you are out there. Truth is, 9/10...or more...probably more like 999/1000...experienced golfers don't hate beginners at all, they hate people who don't have respect for the course and/or the game or their fellow players. So be courteous to your fellow players, respect the course and the environment, and you will do really well, no matter how far you can hit it or how straight, or how many shots it takes you.
