In both friendly games or in competitions, the golfers play on the same course, behind each other, in groups of 2, 3 or 4.

In the interest of all don’t ever forget the following points: :

Danger

Never play while the players in front are within reach of your best shot. If you make practice swings, be sure that those around you (and particularly those behind you who you cannot see!) are not in danger of being hit by you or by earth or gravel that you may displace .

Avoid slow play

You know how unpleasant it is to play behind a party which is excessively slow…therefore:

• Do not allow the party that precedes yours to gain too much distance ; leave the green as soon as you have finished the hole; note your scores on the teeing grounds of the following hole
• Be ready to play when it is your turn
• Avoid multiple (and often useless) practice swings
• Players searching for a ball should signal the players behind them to pass as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found; they should not search for as long as 5 minutes before doing so!.

Disturbance

Knowing how much the game of golf requires calm and serenity, do not move, talk or stand close to or directly behind the ball, or the hole, when a player is addressing the ball or making a stroke. Similarly, do not stand in the lines of play on the putting green. :

Order of priority on the course

A single player, although he may normally play faster, has no standing of any kind (and this rule is no doubt an incitement to enjoy playing within a group). If a match fails to keep its place on the course and loses more than one clear hole on the players in front, it should allow the match following to pass. Any party playing a whole round is entitled to pass a match which has used a short cut or is playing a shorter round.

Care on the course

Replace immediately the divots (or any turf) that you may cut while playing; press them down in the right direction and smooth them down.

Before leaving a bunker a player must carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and foot prints made by him..

When using a golf cart do not ride on the fairways! Circulate exclusively on the paths or in the rough

On the tees

The greens have the most delicate surfaces, the most fragile and the most demanding to maintain because your ball must roll…straight, smoothly, without bouncing.

When arriving on the green, search for the pitch mark made by your ball and repair it without delay.

Perhaps you have not left a pitch mark? Whatever the case, take a quick look around the green and do as the professionals do:

repair the pitch marks that some less attentive players (or less respectful of the course) have left.

When you are waiting on the green, avoid leaning on your putter

Damage to the putting green caused by golf shoe spikes must be repaired on completion of the hole.
Avoid causing damage to the hole by standing or walking too close to it.
Do not put your bag down on the green.
Do not roll over the greens (or the teeing grounds) with your golf trolley
Take your ball very carefully out of the hole and replace the flag correctly.

Dress code... mobile phone

Old engravings show us how our ancestors played golf wearing jackets and ties while their wives played in long dresses…

Today sporting fashion has made way for comfort and colour …
by all means enjoy this trend but respect the universal rules (still strictly enforced in all Anglo-Saxon countries) which forbid jeans and tee-shirts… and nowadays mobile phones as well!

From “Je joue au golf” available free from golf clubs
© FF de Golf