Tales From The Bunker

As promised here is part two of Golf Etiquette/Rules for the real golfer.   

Part Two – The Rules

Tee Off and Honors – After the first hole honors belongs to the one who had the lowest score on the hole just completed if they are ready to tee off. Otherwise the first person ready goes first. If red tees are involved obviously they go last

Mulligan – Only if agreed upon before the match starts

Winter rules – Only if you play in the North from December to February

Whiff –If you swing and miss it counts as a stroke. period.

Out of Bounds – Do not play a second ball from the tee if it goes out of bounds nor take more than a few minutes looking for your out of bounds ball. If you can’t afford the cost of losing a ball you should not be on the golf course.

Penalty Stroke – Yes you get one when you go out of bounds, lose your ball or dunk it in the water.

First to play is the One Away – Get ready to hit your shot while the person away is hitting so you do not hold up your group or anyone else. 

On the Green – You should mark your ball to clean it and if you are interfering with the putt of another player. After everyone misses their first putts (inevitable), if you are close you may continue and hit it into the hole.  If you are a man the “inside the leather” rule is acceptable but not legal. Women always hit the ball into the cup like the rules require and as everyone should. (Guys do not knock women, they play the game by the rules)

19th Hole – It is acceptable to try and have the cheapest person in the group pick up the tab!

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Since we often play as a couple we see consistent etiquette and rules problems in addition to sexism on the golf course. As a result we have decided to put together a two part golf etiquette/rules primer based on how the game should be played. It is not based strictly on the USGA Rules of Golf, nor how the PGA professionals play on TV, but based on what is practical to keep the game moving for all players.

Part One – Basic Etiquette 

Women are human beings who enjoy golf like everyone else. They try hard to not hold anyone up and actually play by the rules.

Waiving a faster group through – If you are consistently holding up a faster group who has no one immediately behind them you should let them play through.

Don’t take a practice swing or make a stroke while anyone within striking distance is around you.

Always replace your divot. (Yes you are supposed to take a divot with your irons).

When (not if) you hit into a bunker, try to leave the bunker in better shape than you found it.

If you are lucky enough for your ball to land on the green on the fly it will leave a ball mark, an indentation, which you should repair.

 Never step on the line of another player’s putt

The first person whose putt is in the cup picks up the flagstick so it can be replaced immediately after everyone is done.

 Never ever record your scores until you are on the next tee.

If you are using a golf cart obey the local rules including staying on the cart paths where required. We know this sucks but it protects the fancy course you are playing.

Golf Rules will be coming in our next blog!

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I love golf and have been playing since thirteen. I began playing with my father and I had many great times with him on the course. I now play with my son (who is terrible) and enjoy every minute of the time we spend together on the course.  

However golf is not a religion nor does it nor should it define my life or my relationship with my son. If it does I am a failure as a person and a father. My father always told me to practice hard and never give up on the golf course but my performance was ultimately only a number and should never describe who I am. Of course I feel better when I play well but even if I shoot 110 my self esteem is still intact.

We all take the game much too seriously. Relax; enjoy it and no more club throwing please.

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Jack Nicklaus, in his classic instruction book Golf My Way, has a chapter called Setting Up Ninety Percent of Good Shot-Making. We did a blog on June 10th on golf setup and alignment problems I was having. The following video discusses the basics of a proper setup. After watching the video please check out some of the points I would like to emphasize and one I would like to warn you about.

Points to emphasize:

1. The video states your feet should be a least shoulder width apart for the proper stance.  I would guess eighty to ninety percent of average golfers have a narrower stance. To check it out take you club and set it on your shoulders. Place you hands on the club shoulder width apart and then bend over and compare it to your feet. Most people are in for a shock when they do this. A shoulder width stance can feel a bit unnatural but over time you will appreciate the stability it provides.
2. Keep your back straight and maintain your spine angle throughout the swing will help eliminate fat and thin shots.
3. Aim the butt end of the club at your left belt loop. This will naturally create the correct shoulder tilt.
4. Alignment problem are so easy to have creep into your game. See our earlier blog on my struggles with this problem.
5. Maintain a firm grip is terrible advice for the average golfer. The high handicapper struggles with muscle tension particularly in the grip and tries to strangle the club. Loose, tension free muscles including the grip provide more consistent ball striking and club head speed.
6. Swing at only 80% of your maximum speed. Fabulous advice. Spend some time observing people on the first tee and see how hard they swing. It is a miracle they do not hurt themselves.

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