DaySpring Golfers Etiquette - Courtesy, Patience and Common Sense

The following tips are not exhaustive, but they are some things we all should be aware of while on the golf course:

1. 1.Always be conscious of other players. Show respect, patience and courtesy. Try not to talk or move during other players shots.
   

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2. 2.Don’t stand behind other players during their shot or when they are putting.
   

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3. 3.Always be ready to play your next shot in order to avoid delays. Don’t stand on the tee talking, someone tee-up and hit off if you are not waiting for the group in front of you to play.
   

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4. 4.Always mark your cards at the next tee, not on or around the green you have just played.
   

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5. 5.Always replace your divots and repair pitch marks on the green.
   

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6. 6.Always rake the bunker after use.
   

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7. 7.Before putting, leave your buggy to the side of the green nearest the next tee. Don’t leave it where you have to hold up players behind you while you retrieve it.
   

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8. 8.Walk smartly between shots, and try to keep up with the group ahead of you.
   

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9. 9.Try to keep an eye on other players shots in order to save them time if they can’t find their ball.
   

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10. 10.Don’t spend more than two minutes looking for a lost ball.
    

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11. 11.On the green, the ball furthest from the hole putts first. However, to save time, if that player is not ready, ask them if they are happy for you to putt.
    

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12. 12.Don’t stand or walk on the line of other players putts.
    

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13. 13.Don’t let your shadow interfere with other players putts.
    

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14. 14.When playing a shot from another fairway, you do not have right of way. Wait until they have played their shot or have called you to play before entering their fairway.
    

Some Basic Rules...

The following are just a few rules that you should know. Always check your card for any local rules:

1. 1.The ball is always to be played as it lies, unless an order for preferred lies is given, in which case the ball may be moved a hand span if it is on the fairway. If you pick up your ball or move it during play, you incur a stroke penalty.
   

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2. 2.If you are in a bunker or water hazard, do not touch the ground with your club before the downswing.
   

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3. 3.If your club strikes the ball more than once in a single stroke, count the stroke and add a penalty stroke.
   

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4. 4.When putting, after you have had a putt, it is your decision whether to continue or not unless already dictated by the distance from the hole. Always let your playing partners know if you are going to continue. It is usually better to putt out unless you are going to be standing on someone else’s line, or if you need to take a break.
   

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5. 5.If your ball is in casual water, ground under repair, or a hole made by an animal, you may drop it without penalty within one club-length of the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole.
   

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6. 6.If your ball is in a water hazard (usually marked with yellow stakes), you may play it as it lies or take a penalty stroke and drop the ball anywhere back along the line of flight.
   

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7. 7.If your ball is in a lateral water hazard (red stakes), you may also drop the ball within two club lengths back along the line of flight and take a penalty.
   

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8. 8.If your ball may be lost or out of bounds, you may play a provisional ball before you go to look for the original ball.