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What’s Happened to Golf Etiquette?

Over the years I have seen plenty of inappropriate behavior on the golf course but it seems to be getting worse. As newer players get out there and test their skills on the links, they are forgoing the simple common courtesies that have long been a part of golf. And the well seasoned players have their moments as well!

Here are a few things I witnessed just this week playing golf:

1. A player is about to tee off and out of no where an older gentleman, who I know has been playing at the same golf course for years, just drives right across the fairway making his way to another hole (out of sequence). He never once hesitated, apologized or even acknowledged we were on the tee box. In fact, he kept his stare straight ahead so as not to make eye contact.
2. Golf group, has 3 people, 3 sets of clubs all piled into just one golf cart.
3. Slow group in front of us, stands way too long on the green discussing/arguing over every shot they took to make it to the green, before they even start to putt.
4. A player dragged their golf pull cart completely across the green.
5. Player is about to hit their next shot in the fairway when a group heading to the next tee come driving by talking loudly, never stopping to allow the player to hit first before they drive by.

These are just 5 rule breaking moments but there are plenty more out there. I think it’s time for all of us to review the rules and etiquette of golf so it is a pleasurable day for everyone on the course. Being disruptive and interfering with other players game is not what golf is about. Below are two USGA links:

USGA Rules of Golf Etiquette

USGA Golf Rules

What does “ready golf” mean and how do you play it?

In order to keep up with play, especially if there are slower players in your group, it is a good idea to play with the ready golf principle. Ready golf simply put means you are ready to play your ball. Everyone in your group should always immediately move into position to play their ball after hitting a shot. That means no standing around chatting, talking on the phone, eating or whatever else may be stopping a player from addressing their ball when it is time.

To not be ready, not only slows up play but it is also inconsiderate to all players around you. It can back up play for the entire afternoon, that’s how important it is to be ready to hit your own ball.

How do you play ready golf?

1. On the first tee the first person ready should get up and hit the ball. If you are in the middle of play then generally the person with the lowest score on the previous hole has the “honors” and should hit first. So, if that is you then you should be the first one ready. If you aren’t then another player who is ready should hit.
2. Get to your ball as quickly as you can after hitting your last shot. Bring your club with you. If not sure which club you need, take extra clubs with you.
3. The first person who should hit on a fairway is the one furthest from the green. That person should be ready to hit first but if they aren’t, then another player should go, as long as they are not in danger of hitting someone in front of them and that others know they are going to proceed and take a shot.
4. While you are waiting for someone else to hit the ball, be thinking about your shot and have your club ready.
5. If you lose a ball in the woods other players who are closest to the green should try and help you find it, not someone who is in back of you and supposed to be hitting their ball first and certainly not the whole foursome. Then no one is hitting a ball! Don’t take more than a couple minutes to search, drop a ball if necessary.
6. When putting, the one furthest from the pin should be putting first. If they putt once and are within a foot of the pin they should play out that hole rather than take the time to mark it. Be ready with your shot when it is your turn to putt.
7. Be ready to hit your ball when it is your turn and your game will go a lot smoother.

Rotating for a Better Golf Swing

It’s time once again for me to work on my golf swing. It’s not that I don’t constantly try and improve my swing, it’s just that sometimes I forget what I’ve learned. Thankfully, I do tend to have a consistent drive off the tee. Problem is, I’m not getting the distance that I want. Reason being? I’m not rotating my body enough. The strength of your drive should be in your body rotation and legs, not your arms.

So how did it finally sink in? When my husband said, “your belt buckle should be facing the target at the end of your swing.” Bingo! Now I get it, I sure wasn’t rotating enough. My belt buckle was only part way around. Now, I can visualize how much rotation I need. And when I do it, I hit my ball much more solidly and have gained distance.

Try it for yourself and see if it improves your own distance on the golf course. One word of caution though, the one thing I started to do when first switching my drive was to follow the swing with my head. Resist that urge to have your head rotate with your body. No peeking allowed.

To summarize: 1. rotate your body so your belt buckle faces your target, 2. keep your head down and 3. follow through! I guarantee your golf score will improve.

Best Golf Advice for Beginners

Everyone loves to tell a new golfer how to play golf. But to a new golfer it is a bit overwhelming and you’re really not sure who to listen to after awhile. Here I have compiled a list of the best advice I’ve been given… maybe it will help any new golfers out there. And it can be a good refresher for long time golfers too!

1. Golf etiquette is important so take the time to learn it. You can read the USGA rules list here.
2. Be on time to play. A tee time is the time when you are set to actually tee off, not when you should arrive at the golf course.
3. Maintain pace of play. If you are struggling on a hole, pick up your ball and move on. If your group is slow, let faster groups “play through” – go ahead of you.
4. Keep your head down and follow through! Makes all the difference in a good swing.
5. Slow down your swing. Don’t try and crush the ball. Think of the tempo of a waltz.
6. Repair your divots. If you take a big chunk of grass off the fairway, go pick it up and replace it. Or if the golf course supplies grass seed then fill the hole with that. It helps to keep golf course in tip top shape which benefits all golfers.
7. Stop when driving by any golfer who is about to make a shot whether on the tee, the fairway or the green.
8. Never drive a golf cart or bring a pull cart onto the tee box or green.
9. Don’t talk when someone is making a shot.
10. Be accurate when recording your score. No one likes a cheater. This is a great tool for counting your scores.
11. Have fun and relax… it’s only a game!

Danger of Golfing During Storms

Why are golfers so determined to finish their round versus go in and wait out a thunder storm? Even though there is a real danger of death or severe injury from a lightening strike, golfers will indeed tempt fate and continue play, hoping the storm will end soon. Or gamble that they won't get hit. What goes through a golfers mind?

Here are some thoughts:

1. What are the chances I'll get hit?
2. It won't happen to me.
3. I paid for a round so I'm going to finish it.
4. I hear thunder but I don't see any lightening so I'm safe.
5. If I can just finish this one last hole, then I'll go in.
6. No one else is going in, it must be safe.

The reality is storms put people at risk. If there is a storm the smartest thing you can do is go into the club house and wait it out. A golf course will allow you back on the course once the storm passes and most will issue a rain check if you haven't played many holes.

Let me give you a few facts.

1. According to the US Weather Service the odds of getting hit by lightening in your lifetime is 1 in 5000.
2. The risks of getting hit on the golf course are higher because of metal golf clubs and because fairways are flat making a golfer oftentimes the tallest thing out there.
3. There are hundreds of people that are struck by lightning each year across the country. The effects after surviving a lightning strike are often long-term or permanent. The symptoms of survivors include memory loss, attention deficits, sleep disorders, numbness, dizziness, stiffness in joints, irritability, fatigue, weakness, muscle spasms, seizures, depression and inability to sit for long periods of time.

Putting Advice for Beginners

Why is it that golfers go to the driving range and practice their drive over and over again, totally ignore the short game? Sure it is good to get your drive under control and be consistent off the tee. But… in the end, it is your short game and particularly your putting that can lower your score most dramatically.

Imagine just one less putt a hole. That’s 9 less shots for 9 holes, and 9 less points on your score card. So, practicing your putting technique is just as important, if not more, as practicing your shots off the tee.

Here are a few tips.

1. First, I will preface this by saying, the shorter putt you need to make the better. So, on your way up the fairway to the putting green your pitching wedge/chipper are important clubs to master so you hit that ball as close to the cup as you can before you bring out your putter.
2. When on the green, line up your shot to the hole. Stand behind the ball and see where the line to the hole is. Squat down behind the ball and see how the green is laid out. Is it flat? Then line up to hit the ball straight to the hole. If there is a slight grade to the right then you’ll need to aim the ball more towards the right so it climbs up that grade and rolls into the cup. Reverse that if it is a higher grade to the left, aim your ball more towards the left to guide it into the cup.
3. Stand over the ball with the ball in the middle of your stance. Keep your feet shoulder width apart with your upper body bent over slightly from the hips to give you stability.
4. Use a light grip on the club and control your speed. A smooth controlled stroke will get the ball where you want it to go.
5. Follow through with your stroke. Your club should follow the line to the hole as you putt. Once again, a smooth swing is what you are looking for, not a jab at the ball.

One important note: When you are putting and your ball is close to the cup, someone in your golf group may say, “that’s a gimme,” which means you can pick up the ball and consider you are done putting. Keep in mind, that ‘gimme’ stroke counts on the score card. When I was in a golf league we had golfers who were taking that as a free shot not realizing just because someone isn’t make you putt it, (assuming you will putt it in anyway) doesn’t mean you don’t count the shot.

Perfecting Your Drive Off the Tee

Do you have a problem getting your ball to come off the tee and fly straight down the fairway? It could be you are over rotating when you swing. It’s important to rotate your body when driving the ball but there is such thing as rotating your club too far.

I have a friend who had trouble hitting the ball. It always went off to the side and not very far. She’d even miss it all together. Problem was, she was over rotating her driver all the way around her back. This caused her to shift incorrectly and pull up when she came back around. Once we shortened her backswing she was able to hit the ball correctly and now has a nice long drive that goes down the middle of the fairway. Her game has improved tremendously.

To find the top of your backswing, rotate your chest and shoulders, your backswing is where you can no longer comfortably turn. If your club continues to go back then you are using your arms, not your rotation to hit the ball. The strength of your shot is in your rotation, not you arms.

Have someone watch you practice at the driving range. They can help you determine if you are rotating your club too far around your body. Once you find that comfortable spot with your body rotation, stop briefly at the top, then swing back around, keeping your head down and follow through! You’ll be amazed at the difference.

The Power of Positive Golfing

Golf is a head game, pure and simple. You can practice your technique over and over again but if your heads not in it, your game is going to suffer. How many times have you had a negative thought going up to the tee?

1. What if I “whif” the ball?
2. I don’t think I can hit it over the water.
3. All those people are watching me tee off!
4. I can’t hit anything today.

Problem is, when you put that negative thought in your head, that thought is what you think about instead of focusing on your shot. The last thing in your head before you hit a ball should not be a negative thought. You should have a positive focus which allows you to concentrate on hitting a good shot.

Negative thoughts bring negative energy which brings negative shots! So next time you get up to hit that ball, think about that great shot you are about to hit. You’ll be amazed at the outcome.

Counting Golf Strokes

Seasoned golfers already know how to count their golf scores and sometimes don’t realize that someone just starting out may have no idea what to do. What is simple for one person can be confusing for another. For example: What is the difference between stroke play and match play?

Stroke Play: This is where you count every swing of your club. That includes your drive, fairway shots, chips shots, sand traps shots and putts. Anytime you hit the ball, you count another stroke. Once you have put the ball in the cup, you record your score on the score card. (When players are involved in real tournament play then your opponent actually records your score and you record theirs, but most casual golfers record their own.)

Match Play: When playing against an opponent you may play match play which means you don’t record every stroke. You count your strokes per hole and compare scores as you go. If Player 1 has a 4 and Player 2 has a 6 then Player 1 is recorded as 1 up. Then on the next hole you start over.

This is a simplified ways of explaining the basics of scoring. There are also other factors which I’ll discuss at another time starting with: How do you count your stroke if you lose a ball?

When You Hear Fore… Duck!

Everyone enjoys a nice game of golf on a beautiful day but a great day of golf can turn tragic if you are not careful and observe some important rules.

A golfer playing at Serranos Country Club in Chino, CA died on October 16th due to injuries received on the golf course. He was hit with a golf ball in the head, nine days later he was dead. This brings some things to mind. One is that you should always duck your head down if you hear fore yelled on the course. The tendency of a lot of golfers is to look up when fore is called. Problem is, that puts your head at risk for a brain injury. Best to bend down and cover your head even if you are not sure if that “fore” was meant for you.

If you are the golfer who has hit the errant ball, make sure you yell “fore” very loudly. I have played with people who do yell fore but I could barely hear them myself when I was playing along side them let alone trying to alert a player over on another fairway. This is the time to scream loud and clear so as not to cause harm to another player.

And here is one of my biggest pet peeves. No golfer should ever hit a ball on a par 3 when there are golfers ahead of them on the fairway or on the green. A ball on a par 3 is meant to reach the green in 1 shot so why would any golfer hit a ball when people are on the green. Even if you don’t think you can reach the green your ball will most likely get close enough to the green to cause alarm to the players ahead of you. And if you are hitting because you think you will speed up the players ahead of you, think again. Show some respect and remember that when you are on a golf course you will encounter all levels of expertise. Relax and enjoy the chance to play in some of the most beautiful surroundings on earth.

Careful Where You Drive That Golf Cart!

Golf carts are a great help for golfer’s getting around a course, but there are things you should know about when and where the cart should be driven. A golf cart should never be a distraction to other golfers or cause damage to a golf course. Here are some etiquette tips for new and seasoned golfers alike.

1. When driving up to a tee box where players are teeing off, always keep a respectable distance until they are done hitting the ball. Never drive right up to the tee box until it is your turn to hit.
2. Never drive a golf cart onto a tee box or green. That applies to hand pulled carts as well. Golf carts should be parked on the cart path while at the tee and the green. The only exception is for handicapped players who may drive up next to the tee box or green. You must have a handicapped flag on your cart to do so.
3. The 90 Degree Rule should be followed. That means you drive along the cart path to where you golf ball is and then turn 90 degrees to get to your ball. After hitting you should go back to the cart path. This should apply even if not specifically instructed to do so at a course. It helps to preserve the quality of the fairway.
4. Most Par 3 holes do not allow players to drive on the fairway.
5. When driving to your next hole, if you pass by a player on another hole who is about to hit their ball, stop your cart and wait until after the player hits their ball… then proceed. That applies to players on the fairway as well as on the green or tee box.
6. Golf carts are not toys and should be driven with caution to avoid injury or even death. Extra care should be taken when driving down hills and under slippery wet conditions.
7. Keep backing up to a minimum. Since most golf carts have a alarm that sounds when putting a cart in reverse, players should plan their route without the need to back up where ever possible so as not to disturb other players on the course.
8. If you see a wet area on the fairway avoid driving over it. You could get stuck or do damage to the course.
9. Watch out for stumps or rocks on the course. Driving over one could cause your cart to get stuck on the obstruction.
10. Watch out for other drivers when coming around corners or reaching a fork in the path. There could be a cart coming your way. Be observant. The bottom line is always use common sense when driving any kind of machinery and a golf cart is no exception. Be safe out there!

Playing Golf on Windy Days

Windy days don’t have to mess up your golf game. Just learning to relax can make a big difference. Here are a few tips.

1. Keep your swing smooth and relaxed. Don’t try to kill the ball just because you are hitting into the wind. A smooth swing will keep your ball from getting too much of a spin which can get caught by the wind.
2. Widen your stance. This keeps you grounded so the wind won’t affect your swing as much.
3. Go up a club size when hitting into the wind, down a club size when hitting with the wind. Be observant of the direction of the wind and choose your club accordingly.
4. Keep the ball low by having the ball slightly further back in your stance to make it more difficult for the wind to catch it. Long and low is the way to go.
5. Realize that when you play on a windy day, you will most likely need more shots to get to the green. Relax and enjoy your game.

A Return to Good Golf Etiquette

Golfing can be a great sport but it can also be very frustrating, especially when you play with or behind players who are not abiding by the golf rules of etiquette as set forth by the USGA. The rules are simple and follow normal courtesy guidelines. Be respectful of your fellow golfers and we can all have a great day on the golf course. Here are those rules:

1. Don't move, talk or stand close to a player making a stroke.
2. Don't step on another player's line of putt.
3. Always play without delay and keep up with the group in front.
4. Don't play until the group in front is out of the way.
5. Shout a warning if your ball may hit someone.
6. Invite faster groups to play through.
7. Repair divot holes and ball-marks. Smooth footprints in bunkers.
8. Don't drop clubs on the putting green or lean on your putter.
9. Replace the flagstick carefully in an upright position.
10. In the case of a serious breach of etiquette, the Committee has the authority to disqualify a player.
11. Leave the course in the condition in which you would like to find it.

Hole-in-One Insurance

Have you ever wondered what happens if you actually get a hole-in-one during tournament play? You win the car, cash, clubs, whatever the prize may be... but who pays? According to USA Today, the odds of an amateur golfer getting a hole-in-one are 1 in 12,500. These low odds allow tournament planners to purchase insurance to cover the risk if a golfer does indeed make a hole-in-one.

The cost for insurance generally varies depending on:

1. the number of golfers,
2. the distance to the hole,
3. and the value of the prize awarded.

According to www.holeinoneinsurance.com, the average cost for a tournament with 72 golfers and a prize worth $7,500 is $180. With more players, the odds are reduced for the insurance company so the cost goes up. There are stipulations that must be met as well. The hole-in-one has to come on the players first shot and there has to be a third party observing the hole to witness if a hole-in-one does in fact take place.

If you are running a tournament, check with your local insurance company or you can find several insurance companies online that specialize in hole-in-one insurance. Car dealerships who donate cars to tournaments may be able to arrange for the insurance as well.

So, go out and give it your best shot! And if you need help counting your shots check out our golf stroke bracelets.

Golf Tips For Beginners

If you are a beginner, the first thing you should know is that everyone has their good and bad days on the golf course, even the pros. You may think that you are the only one on the course that can’t hit the ball. Believe me, not everyone on the golf course plays well and we all started somewhere! Go out and have fun with the game.

Listen to the advice of seasoned players but don’t feel like you are the only one who is struggling. We all struggle at different times on the golf course. If not, we’d all be on tour. The idea is to go out and play, the more you play, the better you will become at the game.

I came across a website that has some fun observations about golf. It tells me, don’t take the game too seriously. It’s a great game to play but if you get too bogged down in the rules and stressed out that everyone is better than you, you’ll never play well. Click here to read Golf Tips for Beginners.

Are Mulligans Legal?

What is a mulligan? It is basically a free shot taken to make up for a bad shot that is not added to your score card. But is it legal to do so? Well, officially no. The USGA rules do not allow mulligan shots. Can you imagine Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson asking for a mulligan during tournament play? I think not.

However, there are a couple instances where mulligans are allowed.

1. In a friendly game of golf, if all agree, mulligans can be allowed. They are mostly taken off the tee but some will allow such shots on the fairway as well.
2. During a tournament, tickets are often sold for mulligans to raise money for a charity. In that case the mulligan can generally be used off the tee, on the fairway and on the putting green.

Remember, when you play golf it is important to count every stroke, unless in the case of a mulligan if it has been agreed upon by the people you are playing with. If you have trouble keeping track of your scores try our wide variety of golf stroke counters.

What are Preferred Lies?

In winter months or times of extreme weather such as a lot of the country has experienced this spring, there comes the need to move your ball to improve your lie. Heavy snow and rain, spring thaws and extreme heat can leave fairways in less than desirable condition. Your ball could land in a muddy area or bare spot with no grass. To promote fair play and to protect the fairways from extensive damage, the USGA created what are called winter rules or preferred lies.

In order to take advantage of this rule, the course you are playing at must have it posted that Winter Rules or Preferred Lies are in effect. At that point you are allowed to move your ball to a better lie on the fairways. Moving your ball means you may move it 6 inches to 1 club length (depending on the golf course rules) without moving it closer to the hole.

This rule makes it fair for all golfers and keeps the golf course from being damaged further.

What do Local Rules Mean in Golf?

The PGA has a standard set of rules for golf that are used universally so that all golfers are playing by the same set of rules whether they be about playing golf itself, or the etiquette involved in being a golfer. In addition, each individual golf course has the ability to apply some local rules that are in effect only at that particular golf course. These rules may be a modification of the traditional golf rules or they may be new rules created just for that golf course.

Local Rules at a golf course are generally posted so any golfer can read them. They may be in the Pro Shop, in the Locker Room, on the golf carts or printed on the score card. The starters may also inform you of any local rules when they are sending you up to the first tee. A very common local rule could be what they call “winter rules,” where you may move your ball to a better lie on a bare or wet fairway. Or if you are using a golf cart, there may be rules that let you know where you can drive the cart, whether it be a 90 degree rule or if there are restrictions on certain holes such as on par 3s.

In order to play a good and fair game of golf it is important to pay attention to the local rules and who knows, it could even improve your play.

And don’t forget, if you need help counting your strokes try our unique golf stroke counters, because golfing in style is just as important as golf itself!

USGA Rules are Good for Golf

Our USGA package came in the mail this week and it reminds us of the simple yet important rules we all need to follow on the golf course. To you who don’t like rules, keep in mind these rules are to make golf fun and fair for all.  There is no place for arrogance on the golf course. So here are some very simple rules:

1. Plan your shot while walking to your ball or while others are playing.
2. Don’t step off yardage for every single shot, develop an “eye” for distance.
3. Walk briskly between shots. If riding, take several clubs with you to your ball so that you won’t have to walk back to the cart.
4. Play a provisional ball if you think the original might be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds.
5. Players should carefully repair divots as well as any damage marks to the greens.

If you want to learn more go to: www.usga.org

Are you Whiffing the Golf Ball?
Have you ever stepped up to the tee, got your ball lined up, checked your stance, practiced your swing… only to completely miss or “whiff” the ball when it was time to actually hit the ball? It is embarrassing and perplexing. Plus, if you are playing by the rules… it should cost you a stroke. Now, it could be in the group you play with, that they will forgive a whiff here and there in the interest of keeping the game moving. But how do you stop the problem from occurring again? There could be an easy fix to your problem. Take a breath and slow down your swing. When my friends and I get together for a round of golf and see someone struggling to actually make contact with the ball… we tell them to “wiggle their butt,” and slow down their swing. It works every time. The first tip gets them to relax, the second gets them to actually strike the ball. Reducing the speed of your swing gives you the control and concentration you need to make contact. You come at the ball more in control instead of trying to force the shot. You’re also less likely to pull up because you are swinging so fast. As a former instructor taught me… it’s a waltz… count 1,2,3,4 as you swing a nice smooth swing. So get up to the tee box, do your pre-shot prep (whatever it may be), but when it is time to actually hit the ball, take a breath, slow down your swing and follow through all the way.

Windy Days of Golfing
It is getting colder and windier in New England and we still love to go out and play golf. Call me crazy but there is something about that crisp autumn air that energizes me. Even though I am already wearing my “winter” golf gloves I still enjoy 9 holes on a Sunday afternoon.

One of the many challenges of playing golf in November is the wind that goes with it. Here are a couple tips to help you get as much distance as you can when hitting in the wind:

1. Most golfers when playing a shot into the wind have the tendency to want to swing really hard and fast. That is the wrong approach. Keep your movement smooth and slow it down. Relax and keep the tempo flowing… like a waltz.
2. Keep your ball lower in the air. A lower iron will keep your ball lower than a higher wood.
3. Adjust your stance. Play the ball back further in your stance so you will hit the ball more solidly which will help it fight the wind more. Use a 3/4 backswing and punch it into the wind with your hands following the ball low to the target.

Happy golfing!

Repairing ball marks
As you improve your game and start hitting the green with strong shots, you’ll make a “ball mark,” a small impression made by the ball slamming into the green. Ball marks make it hard to putt and it will divert your ball away from your intended path to the hole. Make sure you get a “ballmark repair tool,” a tool specifically designed to repair the damage done by your ball. Here’s how to use it:

• Insert the repair tool at the edge of the ballmark not inside the hole.
• Slowly and gently push the tool forward towards the hole. Repeat around the edges of the hole. Do not insert the tool directly into the center of the hole.
• Tamp down the area with your putter to smooth it out.

Now… go repair one more to help keep our greens looking good! There are always golfers who ignore this simple rule of etiquette…and you’ll most likely see another ballmark in need of repair.

What are divots?
There is one thing I see on the golf course a lot, especially with new golfers. A golfer hits their shot… digs up a divot and walks away… without replacing the divot. If you don’t know what a “divot” is, a divot is the chunk of grass that you dig up when your golf club hits the ground as you swing. And it can fly quite a ways out in front of you.

It takes a lot of work to maintain a golf course and it is so important to have a fair playing field for all. Have you ever landed in a dried out patch of dirt in the fairway? That is where the divot was never replaced or as on some golf courses, new grass seed was never added. Please be considerate of your fellow golfers and pick up your divot and replace it back into the spot it came from or add grass seed mix if the course carries it. It is proper golf etiquette and the right thing to do.

Thanks for helping to keep our golf course green!

Fall Golf Tip – Keep your golf balls warm!
The weather is turning cooler in the north and it is getting more challenging playing golf. The leaves cover your ball so you have a lot more trouble finding it. The chance of losing a ball is much greater so make sure you bring extras.

Here’s a tip for helping your ball go further in the fall. Keep your balls warm. Carry 2 balls in your pockets so you can keep one ball warm while you play with the other. The idea is to switch balls on each hole. But… here are two very important things to keep in mind:

1. The rules require you to finish a hole with the ball that you started the hole with unless the ball is lost or becomes unfit for play.
2. You must play the entire round with the same type of golf ball.

So go out there and have fun playing golf in the fall. You might want to get yourself a pair of winter golf gloves too!

What is a Gimmee?
Sometimes when putting, in order to speed up play your golfing group may say that is a “gimmee”. Generally the ball would be within 1 foot of the cup. Don’t make the mistake that some of my friends have done…. a gimmee counts! If someone says that’s a “gimmee” – thank them, pick up the ball and record that as a stroke.

Golf Rule #1 - Keep up with play!
The most important thing you can do as a golfer is to keep up with play. Whether you are new to golfing or have been golfing for years. Always have a club ready when it is your turn to hit. I so often see people roaming around looking for their ball without a club ready to hit it when they find it. They finally find their ball and then they walk back to the cart to find a club. Imagine the horror for the people behind you as they patiently (or not so patiently) wait for you to stroll back and finally hit your ball.

Always, always be ready. It doesn’t matter that you don’t hit your ball as far… it is far worse to roam the course and not be ready when it is your turn. You will certainly be hated on the golf course for that!