We all know that golf is a dignified game of rules and manners, and it’s important to know the basics before you play for the first time. I’ve been on the course with people who have been playing for years, and STILL don’t understand that you don’t raise your voice or throw your driver after hitting a bad shot. So, I figured that it wouldn’t be a bad thing to remind us all that one of the things that are so special about golf (aside from the frustration of trying to get a small ball into a small hole from FAR away, is that it has RULES.

1, Whether you are playing alone, in a twosome, or a foursome, you must wait your turn. You must keep aware of the group on the next hole and wait until they are well ahead of you before hitting your ball.

2. It’s never cool to “push” the group in front of you. If you are playing with others, wait for your turn to hit the ball; never hit at the same time as another player.

3. While you wait for your turn, go to your ball and determine what club you’ll need and how you are going to hit it. This is called “ready golf” and keeps the game moving. Don’t rush, just be ready.

4. If your team is holding up the players behind you, let them play through. You would simply wave them through, or if they are close enough, ask them if they’d like to play through. You will never make an enemy in doing this!

5. When someone is making a shot, you should be behind them and you shouldn’t make a sound! It is so distracting to be ready to tee off and just as you pull back, someone decides to jingle in coins in their pocket or noisily unwrap a piece of candy.

6. Replace your divots. When, in the fairway, you hit the ball and a clod of dirt and grass goes flying, replace it. On some courses, you just put the clod back and step on it to press it on; on most courses, there is a sand/seed mixture on your card to put into the divot. If your ball makes a deep impression when it lands on the green, use your divot tool to repair it.

7. As soon as you have completed a hole, replace the flag and leave the green so that the next players can play. Count your score and write it on the scorecard when you’re back at your cart.

Of course, there are many more rules of golf, but these simple ones will enable you to get through the course without coming to blows with anyone. We must
all keep the game dignified, right?