Etiquette on the Green

Once you tee off and make it to the green, there is a whole additional set of rules.

Etiquette 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 flight 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 in the sun because this may interfere other players in their game.
5. Don't stay too close to your flight partners when they want to take their puts.
6. Don't move or speak as long as your flight partners play their balls.
7. Don't pull the ball out of the hole with your putter as this may damage the hole. Bend down and pick it up.
8. Avoid any damage of the green! (flag hole, spikes, pitching holes!). Remove all traces before leaving the green.
9. Replace flagstick carefully. Do not damage the hole!
10. Leave the green as soon as possible. There is time to note your score while waiting for tee-off on the next tee.

Basic Golf Etiquette Tips for Beginners

Golf is one of the oldest sports out there. Those who have played for a while know the ins and outs, but for beginners the basic golf etiquette can be a little muddy. Here are 20 basic golf etiquette tips you should know before you hit the course:

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

Business Golf Tip #2 - Are you ready for business golf?

My biggest fear was making a fool of myself in front of my boss, coworkers, or clients on the golf course. Sure, I have my great days on the course, but I also have some really bad days, too. Here are some pointers to help you feel confident that you are ready to hit the course for work-related events.

Most women golfers fall in between the extremes of either being very experienced or beginner golfers. So how good to you have to be for business golf?

• Most of the time, you should be able to hit a ball about 100 yards off the tee, hit a middle iron (or hybrid club) at least 75 yards on the fairway
• Be able to hit out of a bunker successfully two out of three times
• Know how to reach a green when you are 50 yards from the pin
• Take only one practice swing
• Three-putt or less on most greens
• Know proper green etiquette
• And know when to give up and put the ball in your pocket
• Most important: If you can play nine holes just by yourself and finish the nine holes in 90 minutes or less (or 18 holes by yourself in less than three hours), you are good enough to accept most business golf invitations.

Even if your game is not great on the day you play, if you feel comfortable with the above criteria, then you will not slow down your group or those behind you. Unless you are playing in serious competition, if you are having a very bad hole it is usually okay to pick up your ball and hope for miracles on the next tee.

Jen

Pink Golf Tees

Business Golf - Basic Etiquette Tips

OK, so we've established that business golf is a vital element for most women's career development. Here are some tips on the basic etiquette of business golf:

• If someone's about to tee off, the chances of a brilliant shot are very low. So keep your eye on that person's ball, so you know exactly where it lands. When you find the ball for them, people are relieved, and they see you as someone who's on top of things, who pays attention to detail.
• If you happen to hit a longer, straighter ball than the person you're playing with (especially if that person is your boss), say something nice about an earlier shot of his or hers, if you can. Take the focus off your game and keep it on theirs.
• Never, ever give advice unless directly and specifically asked for it.
• Don't force a discussion of business topics on the golf course. Save it for the '19th hole,' that is, the clubhouse bar. Why? Someone who is playing well, who is 'in the zone', doesn't want to be distracted by business talk. And someone who is playing badly needs to concentrate. He or she doesn't want to be distracted either.
• If you take a lousy shot, don't whine about it. Just move on.

In following posts I'll dive into the specifics of proper attire for women conducting business on the golf course, how to know if you're ready for business golf, and more.

Jen

Pink Golf Tees