» By: Gary Kelly

HAVE FUN

I know this is an overused phrase but it really makes all the difference in Golf. If you are going to be frustrated after a bad shot and carry the anger to the next hole, you are going to have a very long day. It also makes it very awkward for your playing partners to play with someone who is obviously angry and upset. Have fun and laugh at your bad shots.

DON’T’ BE LATE

Give yourself an extra half an hour before your tee time. Don’t show up at the course with three minutes left and try to rush to the first tee. If you are rushing like this, you probably are not going to be in the right frame of mind. If there is a line up trying to pay for your green fees, you may miss your tee time. Nothing will upset your playing partners more then showing up late and having to wait for you. Show up early, do some stretching and have a good time. You will be surprised what this will do for your mental game.

RESPECT TRADITION

I’m not talking about wearing knickers and saying things like jolly good show old boy. Having a sense of respect for the tradition of the game will make sure you do not do anything inappropriate. Respecting tradition involves things like being quiet while your playing partners on the tee box, keeping accurate score, taking your shot in order and being a good sport. Showing your respect for the game does not mean you have to be stuffy and pretentious, it just means you care about the game.

BE POLITE

Self-explanatory but this needs to be said. Remember the rules and etiquette of the game and follow them. If you are playing slow, let the group behind you play through. If you are having a couple of beers you should watch your language. Nothing is worse then playing golf and hearing the group on the next hole cursing a swearing.

DON’T CHEAT

Nothing will upset your playing partners more then cheating on your score. Most amateurs hacking away on the course on the weekend will use a foot wedge or drop a ball and only take a one-stroke penalty. Most times they will tell the other members in the group what they did, which normally results in other tales of similar strokes and play. Take a foot wedge or one less stroke and not tell you partners will result in never being asked back to play again.

ASK FOR ADVICE

If you are new to the game you should ask for advice and not give it. Like the old saying about two ears and one mouth goes, you should ask your playing partners for their advice when it comes to learning the game. There are lots of rules to the game and most players will be happy to discuss them with you. Most players will love to talk to you about shot strategies or a ways to take a couple of strokes off your game. By asking for advice you show your interest in improving your game.

DON’T PLAY SLOW

Nothing and I repeat nothing will upset your group or the group behind you more then someone who plays slow. Don’t take too long to look for your ball if you lost it in the woods. New players will probably loose a lot of golf balls. If you can’t find your ball after a couple of minutes, drop a new ball and move on. If you are playing really slow, let the group behind you play through. If things are blocked up ahead of you, make sure you communicate that fact to the group playing behind you.

Gary Kelly is co-creator of the online dating website for golfers, DateAGolfer.com and PuttingForPar.com, a golf website specializing in personalized ball markers.