One of the biggest obstacles for new golfers is concern about the stuff you need to know besides hitting the ball.

 

Most of the following is actually common sense, or at least it should be. However, you will meet quite a few golfers who just don't care. Here's how it should be:

 

On the Golf Course

 

1. Be sure to be patient and respect other players on the course as you wish to be respected.
2. Don't produce any loud noise. Normal speaking or conversation is ok; shouting or loud laughing is not!
3. Be prepared to arrive early for your scheduled tee-off time.
4. Always check your marker and your ball number in order to avoid confusion (and possible stroke-penalties!) during the game.
5. Don't make practice swings on the tee area.
6. Do not stand too close behind, near or in front of any other player.
7. Be absolutely quiet while any other player wants to make his shot.
8. On the first tee usually the player with the lowest handicap has the right to start the game by making his first shot. On all other tees the player with the best score out of the previous hole has "the honor", meaning he has the right to play his ball first.
9. Always be prepared to play your ball in order to avoid any delay in the game.
10. Leave tee immediately after you made your shot.
11. Take care for a flowing game! Don't stand or wait if not necessary.
12. Don't play your shot as long as any player in front of you may be in hit distance to you.
13. Replace divots and press into place with your foot, repair any damage caused (e.g. by your spikes, pitch marks etc.) immediately. After any bunker play be sure to use the rake and leave the bunker in perfect condition.
14. Don't drive or pull your cart over tee areas, greens or through sand bunker.
15. Before putting be sure to leave your cart somewhere behind the green, preferably in an area toward the next tee.
16. Adapt your walking speed to that of your partners. Neither walk too fast nor to slow, try to stand somewhere beside the player who has to do the next shot.
17. While walking to your ball, try to consider how to play it best to save time when you reach it.
18. If possible, try to observe not only your own but also the balls of the other players in your group. This will help to save time in case one of your partners may not be able to find his ball immediately after his shot.
19. In case you or your group is forced to search for any lost ball, invite the following group to play through before continuing your search.

On the Green

 

1. The ball with the longest distance to the hole has to be played first.
2. Don't step on putting lines of your partners.
3. Mark your ball as soon as it lies on the green.
4. When holding the flagstick, don't stand too close to the hole. Watch for any shadow your body may produce because this may interfere other players in their game.
5. Don't stay too close to your partners when they want to take their puts.
6. Don't move or speak as long as your partners play their balls.
7. Avoid any damage of the green! (flag hole, spikes, pitching holes!) Remove all traces before leaving the green.
8. Replace flagstick carefully. Do not damage the hole!
9. Leave the green as soon as possible. There is time to note your score while waiting for tee-off on the next tee.
   

Divot Repair

If you've taken a "clean divot," you'll find the turf still in one, neat piece. But sometimes, the turf will be in bits in pieces. Just retrieve it as best you can, and replace it in the ground. If your divot is in one piece, then fit it back into the ground the same way it came out (as you would a puzzle piece). If it's in multiple pieces, just do the best job you can to make it fit neatly back into place.

When the turf is back in the ground, tamp down with your foot, and you're done.

 

THANKS FOR HELPING TO KEEP FAIRWAYS LOOKING GREAT!