Golf – a gentleman’s sport with many rules of play and etiquette
- rukket
- Oct 9, 2014
- 4 min read
For the beginner golfer it may seem overwhelming, stepping into this calm, green arena where the rules are unspoken but everyone knows them. You’ve got your ball, your club, a group to play with; what more could you need? We’re here to help you out and get you playing through. The rules of golf begin before you leave your house: you cannot continue to wear the jeans that have gone to work, concerts, and Walmart. The easiest first step is to call the golf course you will be going to and ask if they have a dress code. If not, men should wear a collared shirt and women a modest shirt. Pants should be long or shorts need to be modest and pleated. The pleat is to allow for a seamless golf swing. Socks should be ankle length for players choosing to wear a modest pair of shorts, or traditional tube ones that complement their clothing. Shoes are important as they help the player with his traction, aiding his swing. The shoes should have spikes on the holes to stabilize players and keep them comfortable during long rounds (for the baby beginners, a round of golf can either be 9 or 18 holes and the goal is to score as few strokes as possible).
Longer rounds may be due to a tough course but they can also be due to slow play. It is important to assess your play and ensure you are not the one slowing the group down – always be ready to swing when it is your turn and do not spend more than three minutes searching for a lost ball. This can slow the group behind you down and clog up the course. If a provisional ball cannot be played, the players should signal to the group behind them to play through so that they are not held up. This means that they will play their round while you wait – like hitting pause on your game for one round of play. Having a good rate of play is important as it determines your group’s priority on the course. Finishing so that you arrive at the next hole during the next group’s play is considered a good rate of play. In regards to respecting time, breaking a golf date to do some spring-cleaning is considered an insult. Time is valuable and should be respected.
During play, it is courteous to remain silent while other players are swinging, ensuring that cell phones are on silent. While individuals are swinging it is a safety hazard to walk in front of them, so be aware of your surroundings. In addition to being unsafe, it is considered rude to stand on the putting area where a player is trying to take his shot.
The technical rules are straightforward after considering all of the unspoken rules regarding etiquette. A player must get the ball from the tee ground to the hole through his stroke while avoiding water hazards and sand traps. If the player’s club touches the grass and the ball moves, it is considered a stroke. Any influence attempted on the movement of the ball that is not a stroke is considered illegal. The goal is to complete the round on par or under par. Each teeing ground will have a number of strokes that is average for that hole. If your number of strokes is equal to or less than par, you are considered on par.
To allow golfers of all playing levels to play, groups can allow for handicaps to make play more equitable. Many courses will have a handicap calculator that can be used prior to the group beginning their round. It is the responsibility of the player to know which holes he will receive handicap points and to inform the scorekeeper of the number prior to the start of play. If a player claims a higher handicap than he should have, and it affects the outcome of scoring, he will be disqualified so as to once again, maintain the integrity of the game.
The game can be played either as stroke play or match play. Stroke-play consists of competitors completing each hole of a round and, for each round, returning a scorecard on which there is a gross score for each hole. Like the stroke play, the scorecard must be signed prior to moving on the next hole and round of play. Not remaining silent during match play can have the added consequence of being a distraction to your teammate and cause you to lose a hole to the other side. The entire match is won when one side has more holes won than the other side.
It is important to remember that, even if you are the loser, to not be a sore loser, as this reflects badly on your integrity as a golfer. To this end, remaining calm and not losing your temper is imperative during play. (Don't act like this guy in the video!)
The players are responsible for knowing the rules and adhering to them, lest they risk being banned from the green or disqualified from the match.
This may seem like a lot of rules but since golf is played without a referee and stands on the integrity of individuals, it is important to follow them. If a course feels you are disregarding the rules of etiquette or causing unnecessary damage to the green without repairing it, they may rightfully prohibit you from further play on that green.
The technical rules and the unspoken ones of etiquette and behaviour are in place to ensure that both the spirit and integrity of the game are honoured.
Don’t start getting nervous trying to remember all of this. Just remember to remain courteous, dress appropriately, clean up after yourself, and get the ball in the hole without hitting anyone or tearing up the entire green. Good luck and have fun, gents!
www.rukket.com
References
Berner, D.W. (2014). Golf Attire Etiquette. GolfSmith. Retrieved from: http://golftips.golfsmith.com/golf-attire-etiquette-1691.html
Palmer, A., & Yocom, G. (2008)10 Rules of GolfRetrieved from: http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/arniesrules
PGA. (2014). Rules of Golf for Beginners. Retrieved from: http://www.pga.com/golf-i instruction/instruction-feature/fundamentals/golf-beginners-golf-etiquette-rules-and- glossary
Spieth, J. (2014). Swing Sequence and Play. Retrieved from: golfdigest.com
USGA (2014). Rules of Match and Stroke Play. Retrieved from: http://www.usga.org/default.aspx
