Golf 101
Unlike many sports, golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.
Players should ensure no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs or the like when they make a stroke or practice swing. Players should not play until the players in front are out of range. Players should always alert greenstaff nearby or ahead when they are about to make a stroke that might endanger them. If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, they should immediately shout a warning. The traditional word of warning in such a situation is “fore.”
CONSIDERATION FOR OTHER PLAYERS
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NO DISTURBANCE OR DISTRACTION
Players should always show consideration for other players on the course and should not disturb their play by moving, talking or making any unnecessary noise. Players should ensure any electronic device taken onto the course do not distract other players.
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ON THE TEEING GROUND
A player should not tee his ball until it is his turn to play. Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball when a player is about to play.
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ON THE PUTTING GREEN
Players should not stand on another player’s line of putt or when he is making a stroke, cast a shadow over his line of putt, or directly behind the hole. Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all other players in the group have holed out.
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SCORING
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In stroke play, a player who is acting as a marker should, if necessary, on the way to the next tee, check the score with the player concerned and record it.
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PACE OF PLAY
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PLAY AT GOOD PACE & KEEP UP
Players should play at a good pace. The Committee may establish pace of play guidelines that all players should follow. It is a group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group.
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READY GOLF
In stroke play, players are encouraged and play ready golf which means whoever is ready to play when it is safe to do so may play their ball and players do not have to adhere to the traditional rule where the player farthest from the hole plays first. Here are some tips to laying ready golf:
- Hit before assisting in ball searches
- Shorter hitters playing first from the tee or fairway if longer hitters have to wait
- Hitting a tee shot if the person with honour is delayed in being ready to play
- Putt out whenever possible
- Putt when other players have the rake bunkers or have long walks around the green
IMPROVING PACE OF PLAY
Pace of play has become a hot button issue facing the golf industry in Canada and abroad.
The fact is, golfers see and golfers do. The swing habits and on course routines we see each week on the professional tours are all too often mirrored at the recreational level.
Count me among those who believe a few more slow play penalties assessed at the pro level would go a long way towards educating everyday golfers about the ready position.
But pace of play is not simply a Rules of Golf issue. It’s an entire industry issue rooted in the culture of golf. That culture is ultimately set by the golfing bodies, the clubs, the professionals, the superintendents and especially the golfers themselves.
So how do we promote change? It starts with educating golfers on simple ways to play faster: playing ready golf; continuous putting; moving quickly from greens to tees; and for a great many of us, playing from the skill-appropriate tees and distances for a most enjoyable golf experience.
It means encouraging alternative formats other than stroke play, such as match play, Stableford scoring, scrambles and alternate shot events that take less time yet still offer competitive elements to a round of golf. For Golf Canada members who track their Handicap Factor, following the guidelines of Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) goes a long way as well (pick up your ball after having exceeded a net double bogey score for that hole)
PGA of Canada members and club officials play a key front line role in educating golfers on how to play at a proper pace and select the most appropriate tees. The same is true for course starters and marshals as important golfer touch points. A friendly tip from an expert goes a long way.
Some courses encourage a good pace of play by promoting nine-hole rounds and nine-and-dines or offering incentives such as discounts in their pro shops or food and beverage facilities for rounds played under a set time. Other clubs may take a harder line approach with an expected time par strictly enforced and understood among the membership.
Not to be forgotten are the stewards of the playing field. Superintendents and greens staff need to ensure a course set-up that encourages a good pace by maintaining the rough at a reasonable height, manageable green speeds and fair hole locations. The same is true for properly marked and effectively spaced yardage markers or sprinkler heads.
The pace of play resource centre that the USGA had made available is a good start for those interested in finding out more about little things every golfer or industry stakeholder can do to improve overall pace of play. You can find links to many of those pace of play resources below.
There’s no silver bullet to improve pace of play or golfer awareness. But there’s something to be said for making the turn in two hours or less that’s good value and a lesson worth learning for any golfer.
CARE OF THE COURSE
There is an old saying that says “leave the course in better shape than you found it.” This encourages the behaviour of players to take care of the course as they play it and is for the benefit of fellow players and club staff.
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DIVOTS
After hitting a golf shot which results in taking a divot, players should repair the divot by filling it with sand provided by the club. Player who take a power cart or pull cart should ensure there is a full bucket on their cart before teeing off. Players who carry their bags should make sure they take a sand bucket with them too. If the divot is recoverable, players may replace the turf where the divot was taken and press it down with their foot or club.
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BALLS MARKS ON PUTTING GREEN
After hitting an approach shot to the green, players should locate and repair the ball mark that was made from the impact of the ball hitting the green. Players are free to repair other ball marks they find as well.
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BUNKERS
Before leaving a bunker, players should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints made by them and any nearby made by others. If a rake is within reasonable proximity of the bunker, the rake should be used for this purpose.
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CARTS
Power carts are to used with caution and should not be operated in close proximity to bunkers, teeing areas, greens, and hazards on the course.
PENALTIES FOR BREACH
If players follow the guidelines in this Section, it will make the game more enjoyable for everyone. If a player consistently disregards these guidelines during a round or over a period of time to the detriment of others, it is recommended that the Committee consider taking appropriate disciplinary action against the offending player. Such action may, for example, include prohibiting play for a limited time on the course or in a certain number of competitions. This is considered to be justifiable in terms of protecting the interest of the majority of golfers who wish to play in accordance with these guidelines.