Conference 7.286::golf

    
    Alison,
    
    Welcome to golf...
    
    some of the biggies:
    
    1) Don't talk when someone is hitting.
    2) Don't move if you are in there field of vision when they arehitting
    3) In general furthest from the hole hits first (may be changed to help
       speed up play)
    4) On the green:
    	- Don't step between someones ball and the hole
    	- Fix any ball marks you make (as well as others near you)
    5) Be ready to hit when your turn comes up
    6) Replace any divots you make in the fairways (shouldn't make them
       on the greens :-) )
    7) Let faster groups "play-through" (let them move ahead of you)
    
    I know there are alot more, but with those few, you won't embarrass 
    anyone.
    
    --Bob
    

    if you make a bad shot, don't throw clubs, or have a tantrum, such as
    yelling, screaming, etc.
    
    have fun.
    
    
    bob
    

Alison,

	The fact that you even asked this question says that your father must
have done a good job raising you.  Since you've already seen the don'ts, then
there are only a couple of do's.  Just be considerate of the other people on 
the course, and keep moving. (ie you don't have to play good to play fast)

One thing I do when I play with my daughter (she just turned 12 so this may
not apply to you), when she has a streak of wiffs, she either picks it up and
carries it or I hit it for her. I guess what I'm saying is that the score and
strict adherence to the rules are not as important as being with your father 
and having fun.  Enjoy



					KO

    Most courses have their own etiquette as well.  Just be polite and
    don't so wrapped up in doing well.  Even the best hit it crooked.  For
    beginners and even those who aren't but still struggle, the key is:
    
       Don't take forever getting set up to hit.  You don't need five
    practice swings, methodical alignment or a host of "grip and wiggles".
    Just get set and hit it.  Those with you will have fun, and if they
    deem it important, they may give you a tip or two.
    
    Use the "grip it and rip it" approach....and enjoy being with your Dad
    and being in the beautiful environs of a golf course.
    
    I played with a friend that couldn't break 110 one day and we played a
    course in less than 3 hours.  Why?  Because he loved to walk fast,
    didn't fret over missed shots and figured progress was measured in the few
    good shots, not the bulk of the duffs.
    
    SCD

    You guys are the BEST !! If everyone in this file followed the advice
    I've read so far, we'd have made a hell of a contribution to golf. Keep
    up the good work !
    
     I'd add one thing - how well you play isn't as important as everyone
    in your group having a good time. applaud the accomplishments of 
    others - they'll appreciate it. It doesn't have to be a PGA quality
    shot, either. If a "beater" hits a 140 yard drive up in the air and
    down the middle, that may be a career shot for him/her, so give him a
    pat on the back. People remember what you're like to play with a lot
    longer than how you played.
    
     Enjoy !
    
    --Jack

    "Marking the ball".   Put a coin directly behind the ball, pick up the
    ball; when ready to putt put the ball in front of coin, pick up coin.
    Do this when your ball is in front of another ball to be putted; some
    do it as soon as they reach the green regardless.
    
    You may be asked to "tend the flag".  Simply stand perpendicular to
    line of putt and immeadiately remove the flag as soon as the putter
    makes contact with the ball.  Remove the flag and put it gently down
    well away from the other balls on the green (the idea is to make sure
    no putt could possibly hit the flag if they overshoot the hole).
    
    In general put your own bag off the green and "apron" on the side of
    the green closest to the next tee - your father will be putting his bag
    there so put yours next to his.
    
    Have a great time and sink one for me
    

    re .-1 .  I meant to say remove the flag when asked and then put it
    down....
    
    If tending the flag for several players you will put the flag back in
    the hole unless they do not want the flag "tended".
    
    Common Sense and observing others is the key.

    
      Alison,
    
         If you really want to be prepared, read the rules of golf. If 
       between that and what has been offered for advice here is too much
       to remember and keep track of, ask your dad his opinion on golf
       etiquette the day you play.  He will be impressed that you are
       conscious about etiquette and the rules plus he may offer pointers
       and advice during the round.  What he tells you may click with the
       other advice you received here.  Enjoy the game and your time with
       your father. Good luck!
    
    -rick

    one thing i have noticed about newer golfers (not that i'm
    an old pro) is that they get mad at you when you point
    out the rules to them.  i had a golfer get mad at me
    because i told him his ball was out of bounds and take
    a stroke.  i also had someone get  mad at me becaue
    i told them they couldn't ground their club in a hazard.
    you may not like a rule but if you're gonna play,
    you should play by the rules.
    
    black nicklaus

    
    
    	I think that it is really important to choose the right shade of
    	lipstick to go with your golf bag...
    
    	I just had to put that in 'cause things seemed to be getting a
    	little serious for a beginning golfer.
    
    	Just keep moving, don't get frustrated and have a good time.  When
    	teeing off, be ready to move up to the tees that you will be
    	playing from promptly after the guys hit. 
    
    	Let us know how it was,
    
    	-laura
    

    
    re telling "unexperienced" players the rules.
    
    I sort of disagree with your statement that if you are gonna play you
    should play by the rules. To me it all comes down to why are you 
    playing. If its a league or tournament, then by all means you should 
    know all the rules and live by them and their consequences. 
    
    For first time players and such, just being out there learning to
    keep things moving etc is more important than adding the penalty shots
    for things like grounding the club in hazards. If you are OB (the
    wrong side of the white stakes) just pick your ball up and toss
    it back in bounds and keep moving. If you want, add a stroke to your
    score.
    
    When playing with people who don't know the rules I will casually 
    mention an infraction, if they don't seem to care, then drop it. They
    are not hurting anyone and the main part of golf (and any sport) is
    to enjoy yourself. As long as no onen is being harmed no problem.
    If it is any type of competition then by all means follow the rules.
    
    --Bob
    
    

    re: .11   Who are you addressing your comments to?

    the situations i referred to were in Digitial golf league play.
    when in competition for the hole, no matter how friendly,
    rules should be adhered to.
    
    i would never tell a golfer i wasn't competing with the
    rules (unless there lack of knowledge or etiquette was
    physically dangerous).
    
    i probably should have stated that in my original message.
    
    black nicklaus

    
    re .12
    
    I was addressing it to anyone in general, but in response to .9.
    
    After reading .13, "Mr Nicklaus" did the right thing, it was a league
    and you should follow the rules. 
    
    --Bob
    

    All of the inputs are great......
    ......The ones I get most annoyed by are:
    1.Not knowing the type of ball you are playing or having a decent idea
      where it went.  This is tough on the "time-to-play-a-round" side of
      this great game.
    2.Not honoring the tee box properly.  In other words, letting the
      lowest scorer hit first!
    3.Pulling carts onto or laying bags on the putting surfaces.
    4.Not being ready to play your shot when your turn comes up.
    5.Holding up someone that has a par or birdie or eagle attempt while
      you play your ___ stroke.
    
    Otherwise, enjoy the chance to play with your Father and do so that
    both of you will want to do it often.
    
    Regards,
    Tom 

    the comment about 'not knowing the type of ball you are playing'
    reminds me of one of my favorite answers to a question on a
    golf course.
    everyone is in the woods or the rough looking for another player's
    ball.  "what are you playing" is usually answered with "what did
    you find?"  when i get that response, i usually respond with
    a brand i made up to see if the person goes, "yes that's mine".
    
    hack nicklaus

                     <<< Note 1502.11 by CHRLIE::HUSTON >>>
                       -< Rules shouldn't always apply >-

    I sort of disagree with your statement that if you are gonna play you
    should play by the rules. To me it all comes down to why are you 
    playing.  ...
    
                      ...  and the main part of golf (and any sport) is
    to enjoy yourself.


Amen!  As someone who isn't exactly playing his 1st round, but is very much a
beginner, I do not feel that the rules are that important.  The point is to
enjoy oneself.  (And, as Bob distinguished, I am not talking competition here.)

In fact, I have recently given up keeping score at all and it has made my game
MUCH more enjoyable!  I have enough challenge in hitting the ball well, making a
good score is just too much pressure.  In fact, a good score wasn't a source of
much pleasure when I was keeping it.  The good shots, especially with
consistency, have been the real satisfaction.  Not that it happens that much
:-( .  Actually, it's happening more now that I don't keep score!  The really
bad shots affect me less, too - it's easier to just walk on to the next one.

What a great game!
Bob

    re; Honors on the tee
    
    Alison
    
    Just ask your Dad if the gang plays "ready golf" or do they observe
    honors.  Important to know because it is possible to be on different
    sides of the fairway (or rough) and have someone waiting for you
    because of "proper golf etiquette".  I personally think too much
    attention to golf etiquette makes the game stuffy and slow. 
    
    Make sure you have some of the latest gimmicks on your bag, have some
    pertinent comments about the latest tournament, an opinion on the
    Masters is always good, the matching lipstick is great, and a few
    "good" golf jokes will go along way.  Remember alot of time on a golf
    course is spent BSing as you walk or ride along, not to mention lunch
    and the 19th hole.
    
    SCD

    
    Reply to Laura,
    
    	Good one about the lipstick ! You had me laughing hard on that one!
    
    	:)
    
    	Walta

RE:.16


In competion, I always ask what ball is being played before I begin
looking.. That way there is no doubt, and you can't get bamboozeled.


One of the etiqutte's that people don't do, that really bug me, is not
replacing divots and not repairing ballmarks... It only takes a few
seconds and is the curteous thing to do..

So, always replace your divot and always repair yours and at least one other
ballmark...

Jim

Hi,

As stated, the best rule of thumb is to be curteous and enjoy the outing.  We all
have our own pet-peaves, and here are mine:

1) When riding and having to keep the carts on the paths, TAKE MORE THAN ONE CLUB
TO THE BALL.  That way you won't have to trudge back to the cart when you 
realize you picked your 6 iron instead of your nine...tee, hee.   Seriously,
take more than one club.  If possible, walk.   For a first timer, it'll speed up
play and you'll probably enjoy it more.

2) When putting, look at the line and let 'er rip.  Too many people, from 5 
handicappers on up try to analyze the hell out of a putt.  Just take your0 best 
guess and putt it!  I'm not saying hurry, just don't walk around the green 15 
times trying to get it perfect.

Again, have a blast and be prepared to GET BITTEN BY THE BUG!

Goin' to the range now,

Donald

    Thank you so much for all of your replies....  So far, I have only
    been out at the driving ranges, but this Friday (weather permitting)
    I will venture out to a course for a *real* game ! :)  I am nervous
    about it, but some of these replies helped (especially the ones who 
    said above all else just enjoy yourself).
    
    The overriding issues seem to be with those who take too long setting
    up and such...  I don't think I will have a problem with that.
    
    re: .18  
    What is the difference between "ready golf" and "honors"???
    
    Also, do I have to have my own clubs or can I share my partners clubs?
    
    Also, are there dress codes?  
        
    Thanks so much!
    
    Alison	

    
>>    What is the difference between "ready golf" and "honors"???
    Ready golf is - The first person ready to hit will hit. 
    Honors - is the person farthest from the green/pin hits.
    They may not be the same. Especially when you get near the green.
    
>>    Also, do I have to have my own clubs or can I share my partners clubs?
    
    Most courses don't allow this. It slow up play, because you're waiting
    on your partner to finish before you can get your club. 
    
>>    Also, are there dress codes?  
    
    Some courses have very strict dress codes. Most public courses don't. I
    suggest you call the course, or ask someone who's played the course
    before.
    Some dress codes I've seen.
    	. Men - No jeans. No shorts. Colar shirts only. No sneaker style
    	  golf shoes.
        . Women - Skirts only. Colar shirts only.
    
    Mike
    

Alison,

>> What is the difference between "ready golf" and "honors"???

Ready golf means hit your shot when you're ready (as in fire when ready)
This typically does NOT apply on the tee or the green unless someone in the 
group 'go ahead if you're ready'  Honors refers to who gets to tee off first.
The lowest score on the previous hole gets to hit first off the next tee.
Your father can keep you straight on this I'm sure.

>> Also, do I have to have my own clubs or can I share my partners clubs?

I'd suggest you bring your own clubs is at all possible, it's good form.  
Besides where else can you keep that perfect shade of lipstick? :-)

>>  Also, are there dress codes?  

Typically at a private or resort course there is a dress code. No Jeans, no tank
tops, no baseball or football shoes.  Check with your father before hand.  As
for your round this Friday, sounds like snow shoes might be in order.  My  first
round of the year is this FRiday too.  Last week at the range I was catching it
flush on the hosel, so if you see me on the course, a suit of armour would be
in order also. :-)

						KO

    I remember my first time on a golf course...My husband told the
    starter (the guy who tells you when you can start) that it was my
    first time on a golf course and the starter was emphatic that my
    husband could not help me whatsoever and that I was not allowed
    to take any practice shots.  We were also pared up w/ two strangers
    who looked like good golfers.  I was petrified.
    
    So when he gave us the word to start, I had no idea what to do and
    they wanted me to go first.  So I walked up to these red posts 
    where they had pointed and I teed off.  Afterwards, the two strangers
    drove by in their cart and let me know that I was supposed to tee
    off BETWEEN the red posts, not to the left of them.  I was ready
    to shoot my husband after that.
    
    Nonetheless, I became addicted and played every weekend for the
    rest of the season.   So, in case you don't know, there are red
    posts (lady's tee), white posts (intermediate), and blue posts 
    (advanced) and you're supposed to tee off between them!
    
    Best of luck and enjoy,
    
    Tanya

That's assinine.  Go to another course and bad-mouth the hell of out them.

    re:26
    
    Yup, they didn't want beginner golfers on a Saturday but, hey
    you gotta start somewhere!
    
    \t

Nobody has even mentioned that golf can be dangerous when following golfers or
wayward golfers hit up onto a group in front. Placing their lives in danger and
often without warning.  A suitable warning when your ball is approaching another 
golfer is call out loudly "four".

It is also bad form to play your tee shot before the all of the golfers in the 
advanced group have played their second shot.  It is also bad form to play any
shot while there is another golfer within striking range unless you are called 
through.

Safe golfing.

    I remember that last year  we were noting about having some method of
    making sure players knew the basics  on  golf  etiquete  (sp?) before
    they were allowed to  play.    One  thing that was discussed was some
    kind of one-time lesson before playing.
    
    Well, I was told  that  due  to  the increasing number  of  potential
    golfers in The Netherlands, the local  golf  ruling  organization  (I
    think  is called Nederland Golf Foundation) established  that  anyone
    who wants to play in any course that  follows the NGF must first pass
    an exam that covers the basic playing rules and etiquete!!    Exactly
    what we were talking about!
    
    Hey, if they did it why not in the US? :-)
    
    Tavo
    

    On a related subject, I am helping out organizing a golf-outing for the
    group I work in.  This is a real low-key, mostly social affair where
    most of the golfers will not have much experience.  The outing will be
    open to both men and women.  I was thinking of matching up experienced
    golfers with inexperienced ones and having a best ball tournament.  Are
    there any "rules" of etiquette that I should mention to help ensure
    everyone has a good time?  Here's some I thought of:
    
    No alcohol
    Don't practice on the course- no second chances or mulligans
    Each player must have their own clubs
    
    Anything else I should mention?
    
    Gary

    What's a "mulligan"?
    
    -alison

	A "Mulligan" is when you tee off for the second time on any
particular hole without taking any penalty strokes. Example being you
tee off on a hole and your ball is long gone into the woods, in the pond,
dribbled off the tee, take your pick. You say I'm taking a "Mulligan", and
tee off as if it was your first shot. Usually in a friendly match between
friends you agree before the match how many mulligans are allowed. Most
of the time it is 1 mulligan per 18 or 1 mulligan on the front 9 and 1
mulligan on the back 9.

/Ron

	Re 3 back..
    
    	These are a set of guidelines we have provided to new members of
    	our Golf Society. 
    
    	There may be of value to your group
    
	
        Louis
    
  	============================================================


    !!!!!!!!!!   ALL  MEMBERS PLEASE  NOTE   !!!!!!!!!


    1.   Before playing in a monthly outing you must be on the timesheet and
	 you must also have paid the entry fee in ADVANCE.
         On the day of the competition you must sign your name in the DIGITAL
	 BOOK  before playing.  
	 Be at the first tee at least 10 minutes before your tee time and
	 observe the rules on slow play.  
             

     ------->>	**** IMPORTANT : ****  <--------
         
    2.   SLOW PLAY MUST BE AVOIDED.
                
                a)  If you think your ball is lost off tee, play provisional
                      before leaving tee.
                
                b)  If you have to look for a ball, call waiting players thru.
                
		c)  You should at all times KEEP UP with the group of players
		    ahead of you. However you should never play a ball until
		    they are a safe distance ahead.

                d)  Play as quickly as possible, BEGINNERS if you cannot score
                      max 8 at a hole PICK UP YOUR BALL. 
                      
                e)  Go directly to your own ball and be ready to play when
                      its your turn.    

		f)  When leaving down your bag at the green always ensure
		    that you leave it at the exit side of the green.

		g)  Always mark card on next tee.
		
	  

    3.   Play ball as it lies - unless local rule states otherwise (read
              back of your scorecard).
    
    4.   Be COURTEOUS at all times on the course, recognising that some
              players can be easily upset, especially if they are in the
              running for a prize.
             
    5.   CHECK your CARD before SIGNING, and make sure MARKER has it 
         SIGNED BEFORE handing it in (or putting in box).   Always return 
           your card it is the only way the committee has of adjusting 
           your handicap.



If any member has any complaint at anytime or wishes to query any of above (or
add to it !!)  please do not hesitate to call any committee member.

    A reminder:
    
    For those who are learning golf, "mulligans" are not in the rule book.
    
               Rich

    
    re .34
    
    For beginner golfers, there are a lot of rules they won't be obeying or
    know about. I'm sure most beginner golfers don't even have a rule book.
    
    Mike

    re.35
    
    And if they had one I doubt if they could understand it.  As a kid, I
    was taught that you don't touch the ball after you tee off until you
    are on the putting surface. Then mark the ball where it is and place
    the ball back where you marked it. Oh, yea---count every stroke!!  That
    way you can really know when you are improving.
    
    mct
    

    
    I played Rehoboth CC yesterday. On the par 5 4th (toughest hole on
    course), I crunched my second shot down the middle of the fairway.
    My partner hit his drive past mine into the rough. After I hit my
    2nd shot, I went over to help him find his ball. We looked a bit,
    cause the grass is long in there. After finally locating his ball,
    he hits his down the fairway, but short of where my ball landed.
    When I get to what I thought was my ball I notice that it's NOT the
    brand new Top Flite Tour #4 I had hit. There was a Slanzenger ball
    where I thought mine was (middle of fairway). When I said where's my
    ball, another guy in the foursome said somebody from #2 had sliced into
    out fairway, and while we were looking in the rough, came out and hit
    the ball.  I looked and they were well down their #2 fairway by now.
    But... I was BULLs***! 
    
    How can you hit the wrong ball! Especially when your hitting a
    totally different brand! I'm not too cheap... :^) but I really
    hate to loose a new ball! I was so upset I threw the Slazenger
    into the pond, which is directly in front of the green we were
    playing. I kept looking back during the round, thinking there
    may be an opportunity to say something, but the opportunity never
    presented itself... I think it took my concentration out of my
    game... as I hit terrible after that! (good excuse anyway... :^) )
    
    	Jerry

    > How can you hit the wrong ball!
    
    it's easy, I see golfers do it all the time...so..o..o...I've started
    makine sure I know where MY ball is and where the other golfers are
    on the course, usually once or twice a round we'll have to yell at some
    idiot who is about to hit one of the balls from our foursome....
    
    but these are the same people who will also play from out-of-bounds
    because there out there to have fun and how to h#ll can you have fun
    with all these rules????
    
    just grip it, rip it, find it and rip it again that's all they
    understand...

    I've gotta confess - I have an embarrassing "wrong ball" story. Years
    ago I was on the 1st tee at The Old Course at St. Andrews. I was pretty
    damned nervous. I hit a big hook off the tee - over around the 18th
    fairway. I just wanted to get the hell out of there, so I ran over,
    grabbed a 9 iron and knocked it on the front of the green. As soon as I
    hit the shot, a Scotsman came over, obviously upset, muttering about
    hitting his "bloody ball." I apologized profusely - I felt like a bozo.
    
    One more "darkest moment" - later in the trip, we went to
    Prestwick.There was no place to hit balls, so we staggered to the 1st
    tee. We're both playing pretty well (my partner was never over 77 for
    the trip - from the "tips." I've you've played Carnoustie or Turnberry,
    you'll know how strong that is..." First hole is a short par four, hard
    by a railroad track on the right. I pull out my one iron - and promptly
    hit about an 80 yard shank over a train!
    
    On a more positive note, this was my first experience with:
    
    - The British golf ball
    - REAL hard fairways
    
    Later in the round on the Road Hole (#17, if you were just teleported
    in from Mars), I hit a real hard tee shot out over the grounds of the
    New Hotel. I hit it real solid, but it was hooking. I figured I was
    cooked, but walked off the tee. There it was, way down the fairway -
    leaving me a 9 iron in. 
    
    One more story - we're playing the King's Course at Gleneagles. #18 is
    a short par 5 of 485 yards with a blind tee shot over a hill. The fairway 
    descends down several levels to a flat area just in front of the green. 
    We hadsome wind behind, and I really nailed one. I ended up with a half 
    sand wedge into the green - which I promptly skulled over the green
    onto the putting green behind. Great to be young...
    
    __Jack 

    I was playing a Top Flite XL at Lowry AFB in Colorado and I sliced my
    drive on #1 into the rough between 1 and 6.  When I was walking down
    the group on # 6 was coming up on my ball.  One of the guys looked down
    spotted a ball and yelled to ask if I "was hitting an extra large?"  I
    almost fell down laughing!
    Mike

    Re:             <<< Note 1502.40 by DV780::TILLISON "Reverse Pivot" >>>

Unfortunately, this goes back to not learning basic golf etiquette before
someone goes out.

Most  of  the  times someone hits the wrong ball they do it  without  any
ill-meaning.   Either  they don't know what type of brand/number they are
playing or they  don't check a ball when they find it, so when they go to
where they think their  ball is and found one they hit it before checking
it.

I've been thinking about marking  my  ball  like  Duffy Waldorf, that way
they won't have any excuse.  (In  case  you  haven't  seen  his  ball, he
draws/writes all kind of things all over the ball)

/OLD

    
    Yesterday, I was playing at a course in Upstate New York, where there
    were several holes which ran parallel to each other.  One of the people
    in my group mishit his ball off the tee and it went about fifty yards
    down the center, about the same time, a shot comes flying from the next
    fairway into ours right next to the "duffed" shot.  As my friend walked
    over to his ball, the guy from the other fairway just walks right up to
    one of the balls and whacks it back into his fairway.  Of course we
    later found out it was the wrong ball.
        I've only been golfing for four years, but don't we have "the right
    of way" in our own fairway?  The guy never waited for my friend to even
    get to his own ball, and I thought it was kind of cocky to just assume
    that it was ok with us to go ahead and hit his ball.  It's things like
    this that take the fun out of the game.

    Yes, etiquette does say that you have the right of way. As usual, more
    and more people are inconsiderate of others. And, it is not just golf.
    
    Rich

    
      Rich,  I just read an article recently in the Boston Globe about
      recreational boating suffering the same fate.  More and more rude,
      inconsiderate boaters (speed) out there, without a clue and making
      it dangerous for others.   It's just as dangerous out on the links with
      all the twenty-something gents in their golfcarts with the cooler
      of brewski's in the back clogging up the courses without playing
      'golf'.
    
     -rick

    Rick,
    
    You don't happen to know of a monastary with a golf course around here,
    do you?
    
    Rich

    
    
    Rick,
    
    
    ......BTW, they CAN do wheelies........uuuurrrrppp.   ;^)
    
    Joe

>    ......BTW, they CAN do wheelies........uuuurrrrppp.   ;^)
>    
>    Joe
    
       At least you're a player Joe, but I can't believe your twenty
       something.   ;^)   You look *MUCH* older.
    
    
    
>    You don't happen to know of a monastary with a golf course around here,
>    do you?
    
>    Rich
    
    
        Or a golf course with a monastary?  I'll look for one.  But let's
        not invite Corrigan.  He's a rabble rouser.   Marshall!   Ooops,
        forgot, marshalls are useless now too......
    
    -rick