Originally the expression “etiquette” is from the french word “étiquette”. At the French court people used a little etiquette as “cheat sheet” to correctly know and use the hierarchy there. That’s the reason why the meaning of the word changed to today’s: manners (“rules of etiquette”?). There are special manners in golfsports, too. They are called “etiquette of golfing”, but what is it all about?

The “etiquette of golfing” designates the sportive behaviour on the golf course. In the official book of rules of golfing one can see the enormous relevance of the “etiquette of golfing”, because in there, the etiquette is put in front of the actual rules.

Save, Fluent, Fair. Those are the basic postulates of the “etiquette of golfing”. In detail, the etiquette is divided as followed:

Safety has greatest Importance in Golfsports:

• To minimize the risk of injury, it is part of the etiquette of golfing to show consideration for that no players or spectators are in danger of getting hurt by the ball or the golf club at the shot. If the player – equally whether pro or beginner – shot the ball inexactly, and therefore it missed the putting line, the player is obligated to shout a few times “Fore!” as loud as he can.
  If a player hears the alarm he immediately needs to duck his head and cover the head with the arms to protect himself. It is highly important to react quickly, and don’t turn around to see from what direction the golfball comes, because the dangerous fact is, that the ball can reach a speed of 200 km/h.
• The etiquette also demands the player who shot the ball inexactly to apologize for that.
• For reasons of safety golfers are only allowed to play, if all the other players in front of them are out of reach.

Reasons of Fairness imply the Consideration of other Players

• It is very important to be highly concentrated while playing golf. Therefore othergolf-players should never distract the one who is playing by moving, talking or any other noise.
• At the golf course you should especially avoid electronic equipment which makes noise or telephoning there. It is additionally extremely important to avoid all kinds of temperamental outbusts.
• To facilitate the game for the players, one should always stand in a save area next to the playing golfer, to ensure not to get hit by the club or the ball.
• Furthermore a golfer should never stand on the putting line and also not to cast his shadow on the line.
• After completion of the hole, the golfer should always leave the green, so that other players can play the hole.

The Speed of playing at the Golf Course is also an important Subject of the “Etiquette of playing Golf”

• Golfers prefer a fast game, so if a player expects his ball to be lost in a water hazard, he is allowed to continue with another provisional ball. In general, it is prohibited to play with two balls, but in this case, a golfer has the focus not to lose any time by searching the lost ball, thus he’s allowed to play with the second golf ball.
• For not interrupting the ideal flow of the game, a golfer should be prepared in advance of his turn at the tee.
• Notes at the scorecard should also take place after leaving the hole, so that following golfers can play as well, because they are only allowed to play, when no other players are within reach.

Prerogative at the Golf Course – Whose is it?

• The “etiquette of golfing” awards the prerogative at the golf course to every group or player who is faster then the others are. In previous times it was normal to allow the bigger group having the prerogative, but nowadays this is history. However an important fact is, that the golf club can decide their individual norm in view of the prerogative.

Protection of the Golf Course

• As the golf course has top priority in golfsports, the protection of the golf course gains a high weighting. It is therefore for instance important to eliminate irregularities or tracks in the bunker. Usually there is a rake positioned next to the bunker for this purpose. Moreover it is necessary to reinsert Divots, thus damaged or ejected turf, fix litte holes damaged by the impact of the ball and repair defects in the green caused by golf shoes.
• Primarily it pertains to the “etiquette of golfing” not to damage or destroy the golf course willfully and unnecessarily, such as smashing the golf club onto the ground or handle the flag-stick rude so that it damages the hole.
• To look after the golf course a golf club can additionally have customized requirements for the utilisation of golf carts. Those requirements can for example imply that golfers are not allowed to use a golf cart after it has rained.

Politeness and Fairness of the Golf Course

• Politeness at the golf course means for example to respect the “honour”, thus who is allowed to tee off first and also to comply with the order during the game.
  It is further significant to create a pleasant atmosphere of togetherness. In order to accomplish that, one could for instance help another player searching for his ball or serve the flag-stick for him.
• A special clothing style is also part of the “etiquette of golfing”. Befitting clothes in golfsports forbid women to wear sleeveless tops without a collar and also shirts without a collar for men. The regulations define an appropriate length of shorts as well and bluejeans are blamed.
• To play with diving-range balls at the golf course is strictly forbidden as well as playing together with only one bag. This is only approved if golfers are playing together in a team with only one golfball.

Consequences of Violating against the “Etiquette of Golfing”

• As the etiquette is highly relevant for golfsports because it guarantees a fair interaction, a player can gets disqualified by repeatedly violating against the “etiquette of golfing”. The disqualification can for example mean a prohibition of playing at the golf course for a certain time period or blocking for several matches.