On-Course Interactions

🏌️ Golf Etiquette: On-Course Interactions

Imagine you’re at a beautiful park with your friends. Everyone follows invisible rules so everyone has fun. Golf is just like that—but with clubs and balls!

🎯 The Big Picture

Golf is like a dance where everyone knows the steps. When you follow the right moves, everyone stays safe, happy, and the game flows smoothly.

Our Everyday Metaphor: Think of a golf course as a busy playground. Just like you don’t run in front of someone on the swing, you follow special rules on the golf course so nobody gets hurt and everyone has fun!

🚩 Flagstick Protocol

What is the Flagstick?

The flagstick is that tall stick with a flag on top—it marks where the hole is! It’s like a lighthouse guiding ships to shore.

The Simple Rules

When you’re putting (rolling the ball on the green):

1. Leave it in or take it out — Your choice!
2. If someone asks you to hold it — Stand still, then lift it out before their ball arrives
3. Never let the ball hit the stick when you’re holding it — That’s a penalty!

Real Example

🎬 Scene: Maya is putting from far away. She can barely see the hole.

What she does: “Hey Sam, can you tend the flag for me?”

Sam stands by the flagstick, waits for Maya to hit, then pulls the flag out before the ball gets close.

Result: Maya sees exactly where to aim, and her ball rolls right in! 🎉

Quick Tips

📢 Calling “FORE!”

The Most Important Word in Golf

“FORE!” is golf’s emergency siren. It means: “DUCK! A ball is coming your way!”

When to Yell It

Yell “FORE!” whenever your ball might hit someone. Even if you’re not sure—yell it anyway!

graph TD
    A["You hit the ball"] --> B{Is it going toward people?}
    B -->|Yes| C["🗣️ YELL FORE!"]
    B -->|Not sure| C
    B -->|No, safe direction| D["Watch your ball land"]
    C --> E["Point in the direction"]

What to Do When YOU Hear “FORE!”

1. Don’t look up to find the ball (you might get hit in the face!)
2. Cover your head with your arms
3. Turn away and crouch down
4. Wait 3 seconds, then look around

Real Example

🎬 Scene: Tommy swings hard. The ball curves right—toward the next fairway where people are walking!

What Tommy does: “FORE RIGHT!” (he yells the direction too)

What the walkers do: They hear it, cover their heads, crouch down.

Result: Everyone stays safe. Tommy apologizes when he gets there. No big deal!

Why This Matters

A golf ball can fly over 150 mph. That’s faster than a car on the highway! Getting hit can cause serious injury. One word—FORE—can save someone from getting hurt.

🚗 Cart Etiquette

Your Cart is a Guest on the Course

Think of your golf cart like a pet dog at a fancy party. You need to control where it goes and make sure it doesn’t cause trouble!

The Golden Rules

1. Stay on the path near greens and tees
2. Never drive on the green (the smooth grass around the hole)
3. Follow the signs — “Cart Path Only” means exactly that
4. Park smart — Don’t block other players

Where Can You Drive?

graph TD
    A["Where am I?"] --> B{Near the green?}
    B -->|Yes| C["🛑 Stay on cart path"]
    B -->|No| D{Signs say 'Cart Path Only'?}
    D -->|Yes| C
    D -->|No| E{Is the grass very wet?}
    E -->|Yes| C
    E -->|No| F["✅ You can drive on fairway"]

The 90-Degree Rule

When allowed on the fairway:

1. Drive down the cart path
2. Turn 90 degrees straight toward your ball
3. Hit your shot
4. Turn 90 degrees back to the path

This keeps cart damage to a minimum!

Real Example

🎬 Scene: It rained last night. The course is soft and muddy.

What smart golfers do: Keep carts on the path all day, even though it means more walking.

Result: The grass stays healthy for everyone. The course stays beautiful.

Cart Speed

• Slow down near other golfers
• Stop completely when someone is hitting
• No racing! This isn’t Mario Kart 🎮

🤝 Sportsmanship

What Makes a True Golfer?

Golf isn’t just about hitting balls—it’s about being a good human. Sportsmanship means treating others the way you want to be treated.

The Five Pillars of Golf Sportsmanship

1. 🤫 Quiet When Others Hit

Why? Golf takes concentration. Even a whisper can make someone miss.

What to do:

• Stand still
• Stay quiet
• Don’t move in their field of vision
• Wait until the ball lands

2. 🏃 Keep Up the Pace

Why? Slow play frustrates everyone behind you.

What to do:

• Be ready when it’s your turn
• Walk quickly between shots
• Look for your ball while walking, not standing
• Let faster groups play through

3. 🎉 Celebrate Gracefully

Why? Nobody likes a show-off, and nobody likes a sore loser.

What to do:

• Good shot? “Nice one!” with a smile
• Great putt? Clap, but don’t scream
• You win? Shake hands, say “good game”
• You lose? Congratulate the winner genuinely

4. 🌱 Respect the Course

Why? Thousands of people play after you!

What to do:

• Fix your divots (chunks of grass you dig up)
• Repair ball marks on greens
• Rake sand bunkers after you hit
• Don’t litter—ever

5. 🙋 Be Honest

Why? Golf is the only sport where you call penalties on yourself.

What to do:

• Count every stroke—even the embarrassing ones
• If your ball moves when it shouldn’t, add a penalty
• If you’re not sure about a rule, ask

Real Example

🎬 Scene: Jordan’s putt lips out (almost goes in, but doesn’t). His opponent’s ball did go in. Jordan loses the hole.

What Jordan does: Smiles, tips his cap, says “Great putt! You earned that one.”

What Jordan does NOT do: Throw his putter, make excuses, sulk, or blame the wind.

Result: Both players enjoy the game. They’ll want to play together again.

🎓 Quick Summary

💡 The Secret Truth

The best golfers aren’t the ones who hit the ball the farthest. They’re the ones who make everyone around them feel welcomed, respected, and happy.

When you follow these simple rules, you become that golfer.

Now get out there and play! 🏌️‍♀️⛳

Remember: Golf is just a game. The friendships you make and the person you become are what really matter.