Do you ever hit a shot in a bunker only to find that the last golfer that was in there didn't rake it? Today I want to discuss all the ways in which golfers can, and should, treat the golf course.
The most important thing to remember is that the golf course is there for everyone to enjoy. That means we should all take just a little extra time to rake bunkers, replace divots, pick up nearby trash. It will make you feel better and the golf Gods will certainly put you in their good graces!
Most amateur golfers aren't huge sticklers on the rules, but when it comes to taking care of a golf course, it's everyone's responsibility! Another big thing I see is golfers taking huge divots on the tee box when practicing their swing. That is just as unnecessary as throwing the pin down on the green.
So, the next time you're out on the golf course, think about how you'd like people to treat the course as if you owned it. Golf is a gentleman's game, so let's keep it classy!
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
Comments
I am a firm believer in
I am a firm believer in caring for the course. There isn't too much in life that is more beautiful than a well cared for golf course. As for raking the bunkers, I make it a good habit, if I have a bunker shot, to actually take the rake in the bunker with me from the beginning, lay it a comfortable distance behind where I will be taking my stance, and then rake on my way out of the bunker (going out the same way I came in). I also have an issue with people not abiding by the 90 degree rule for turf care.
Golf Course Etiquette
Thanks Don,
I wish it was a pre season prerequisite to refresh golf etiquette every year before you can play. I know a lot of the poor etiquette is from just being ignorant.
Thanks again for the great swing you gave me.
Thank you, Don
Maybe it's because I'm simply becoming a old codger, but I've noticed the poor etiquette you mentioned more and more lately. One thing you did not mention, I noticed a while back. On a day when the course was relatively empty, the pro let us play as a 5-some. Two of my regular partners near my age, 2 younger "gentlemen'" and myself. The 3rd time I noticed the young men jerking their ball out of the cup with their putter head, I had finally had enough and spoke up. I simply said, "come on, guys ... please don't use your putter like that ... Reach down and pull your ball out with your hand." When one asked why in a rather sarcastic tone, I pointed out that other people might enjoy putting at an undamaged cup. Not only did the young men treat me as a pariah the rest of the round, my regular "partners" never spoke up, nor did they say a word to me the rest of the day. Was it poor etiquette on my part to speak up as I did?
Lazy golfers
I've done the same thing myself. When someone perfectly capable of bending over to extract the golf ball from the hole does that, they deserve to be spoken to. I do, on the other hand, play with someone who has back issues and to avoid any cup damaging I always retrieve his ball for him.
Helping those with back issues
I've done the same before, Dave.
Etiquette
Absolutely OK, in this politically correct world the younger folks seem to relish, you may have hurt their "self esteem". They probably just stopped chewing sun flower seeds on the greens.
Sunflower seeds
Ah, another of my pet peeves!
raking bunkers
Part of the reason for "unraked" might be the courses' wording when they say rake your ball marks. Lots of golfers seem to interpret that as raking only the divot, not the footprints in and out of the bunker. Some of the most colorful and angry language I ever heard on a golf course was during a tournament when someone found his ball in some earlier golfer's heel print.
raking bunkers
would you believe that I have criticized for raking footprints in a bunker? -- I believe the comment was like "Boy! YOU must be some gardener!" -- said rather sarcastically -- Seems that the "type A" individual thought I was taking too much time.
btw - -the ONE rule of golf that I "religiously" violate is NOT hitting from other people's divots. I mean -- why should I be penalized for other people's carelessness or stupidity? Specially when every cart has at least 2 sand bottles on it!! Exception, if the divot is replaced or properly filled, then play away, per the rules. Additionally, at my course, there are bottle racks at the 10th tee, just in case you run out
the other thing I hate is when people do not fix pitch marks on the greens.
I also take Surge's method of placing the flag on the green a step further -- when the flag is near waist level, I use my putter to gently lower the flag onto the green. Another good thing about the old Bullseye style putter - the little balance knob near the shaft makes a notch that is perfect for picking up the flag (or a club on the ground) -- also I have a rubber suction mounted on the end of the putter grip for retrieving the ball from the cup - a great "old man's back saver"
Keep hitting the STRAIGHT and LONG
Amos
raking
Heck, I even take the time to rake the practice bunker at my course when I finish practicing from it. Nothing worse than trying to play a bunker shot out of somebody's foot print.
Of course, another great thing about the PPGS is that we don't take big divots. Much of the time I don't have to worry about replacing divots because you can't even see where I nipped the ball off of the ground.