I recently read an article about women learning how to hit the ball and then heading to the links to play, without any etiquette tips. That might be a great way to get women enthusiastic about playing golf in a controlled environment of the class that they were all taking.
But if a woman who read that article thought she should do that, she'd likely have a very unpleasant experience. I strongly believe that whether a person is an enjoyable playing partner isn't determined by the score he or she shot. It's instead whether he knows etiquette and is pleasant to be with for five hours. I'd rather play with a beginner who knows how to play with proper etiquette and a great personality than a single digit that has a similar level of etiquette I.Q. and personality.
If you want to play without knowing your etiquette, play with friends and warn them that you're ignorant of etiquette. If you want to play with them more often, at least ask them to teach you proper etiquette while you're playing. You'll make and keep your golf friends around by doing so.
2 comments:
I agree with your comments on which player you would rather play with. But, why is it that players continually talk about etiquette on the course. Shouldn't etiquette also apply to the practice range?
Have you ever been to a practice range while there is loud group of people? These people are there to have fun and to socialize and that’s wonderful. What about the other players that are trying to concentrate on their practice. Why should the player that is trying to improve be constantly jolted by noise and movement?
Is the practice range a social platform? A place without golf etiquette? Or is a Practice range?
Greg Peddie
www.Lowerhandicaps.com
You're absolutely right that etiquette, or common courtesy, should extend to the driving range.
You might enjoy this true account. A friend was at a two-tiered driving range. He was on the bottom tier. A guy nearby is hitting under the ball such that the ball was hitting the roof and ricocheting, almost hitting other players.
One of them finally asked that he stop doing that. Either not knowing how to, or simple rudeness, he continued to hit balls onto the roof.
Eventually, a ball hit him on the top of the head and he got the message.
I'm sorry it takes someone getting hurt to stop inappropriate behavior, but let's be honest, better him than another person.
Golf is the one place I enjoy civility and grace between other players. If it is ever lost on the course or on the driving range, that's when I'll probably give the game up.
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