Know before you go 🏌🏻♀️
I’ve noticed more and more people are seemingly getting into golf, which is amazing! I always thought negatively about golf until I tried it 3 years ago, and since last summer I’ve been getting consistent with practice.
Golf courses— even the cheaper, more casual ones that I frequent, have certain spoken and unspoken rules.
Also, a lot of courses have a dress code, make sure you look to see if the course you’re going to has one!
Be quiet and respectful: if there’s other golfers within earshot, keep conversation minimal and at a very low volume. My friends and I love goofing off when no one is around, but you must respect other groups.
Let faster groups play through: if you have a lot of people, or if you’re pace of play is slower than the group/person behind you, let them play through!!
Rake bunkers: you’re going to end up landing in the bunkers (the sand) at some point. You’re also going to drive that pitching wedge 5in into the sand like I did a lot— rake it after you’ve taken your shot.
Arrive on time: tee times are taken seriously and it’s important to be ready to play once your tee time is here.
Avoid slow play: this follows the “let faster groups play through” rule. Make sure you’re pace of play isn’t at snails pace. Choose your club, tee up, take the shot.
Replace divots in fairways: if you rip up a massive chunk of dirt and grass with your 7 iron like I do, take that chunk of grass and dirt and put it back the best you can.
Oh I forgot to mention… HAVE FUN!!!! ⛳️
As someone who's fallen in love with golf after years of thinking it wasn't for me, I've picked up a few extra nuggets of wisdom about golf course etiquette that are super helpful, especially for beginners. The core rules like "be quiet and respectful" and "let faster groups play through" are crucial, but there's always more to learn! When it comes to keeping a good pace and to "avoid slow play," remember the concept of "ready golf." This means hitting your shot when you're ready, even if you're not technically furthest away. Of course, always ensure it's safe! I've found it really helps speed things up. Also, when you get to the green, consider where you'll exit before you putt. This saves time walking around after sinking your ball. And speaking of the green, be mindful not to step in anyone's putting line – it's a big no-no that affects their shot. After your shot, always "rake bunkers" properly, smoothing out all footprints and club marks, not just where your ball was. It’s a courtesy to the next player. I've definitely had to practice my bunker raking technique! Regarding "replace divots on fairways," if you don't have a divot repair tool (which you totally should get!), many courses provide sand or seed mixtures on carts or near tee boxes. Use them! It helps keep the course in great shape for everyone else. Another unwritten rule I learned is about cart paths: often, you're expected to keep carts on the path, especially near greens and tees. Pay attention to signage. Finally, always keep an eye on your group's position relative to the group in front of you. If there's a big gap, that's usually a sign you need to pick up the pace a bit more. These little things make a huge difference in having a positive experience for everyone on the course!
