It is an important rule of golf etiquette to dress appropriately and wear the correct golf apparel when on the golf course. It may seem trite but golf had originally started as a gentleman’s game where there was  a strict dress code that was adhered to by all golfers of that era.

In  order to preserve some of the integrity required by the original rules of golf proper golf apparel is required on most golf courses, especially private country clubs. This is a courtesy and a rule of golf etiquette. For the men a proper shirt and  shorts or slacks are required and for the ladies a similar requirement for golf attire would apply. Make sure to follow these guidelines and observe golf etiquette the next time you play golf. Happy Golfing to All!

This breach of golf etiquette became more blatantly apparent this past weekend when I was the single and two groups in front of me were ingnoring the common courtesies associated with the game. I played the first six holes alone and finally caught up to a twosome and played behind them for a number of holes. I approached the tee and even thought they were still on the teebox they never asked if I would like to join them or play through until about four holes later. I finally played through and was behind a foursome who was more discourteous than the twosome as they never even acknowledged that I was waiting indefinitely on each hole as they proceeded to hit golf balls, one shot worse than the other. I finally left the course around the 17th hole because I was waiting at least 20 minutes on each hole for them to clear the hitting area. This amount of time was well above the average total of  about 15 minutes normally allotted to play an entire golf hole. If it were a beautiful sunny day like the previous weekend I may have hung in there but the cold blustery conditions made it tough to wait so long for each shot.

Golf Tip for the day {Fore: Observe Golf Etiquette and allow a single to join you if you have three or less golfers in your group. Also let a single player or  twosome play through if you notice them behind your group and waiting on every shot.}

When I first learned to play I was schooled in the courtesies of golf etiquette. The meaning of “etiquette” is “Any SPECIAL code of behavior or courtesy,” similar in some respects to following decorum or protocol, both implying in a more general way the standards to be observed by one who makes claim to good breeding. My emphasis on etiquette may appear to be over the top but you will be there one day and my reasons will become clear as to why. I in turn emphasized the importance of golf etiquette when I undertook the task of teaching my significant other to play. To this day we both observe these courtesies and are not pleased when we observe other golfers on the course devoid of any golf etiquette. With golf there are many courtesies to be extended to your fellow golfers and one of the most important rules of golf etiquette is to manage your pace of play to keep up with the group ahead of you or at least within a reasonable distance behind. By the time we reached the turn or 10th hole there were at least two or three golf holes open in front of the group ahead of us. Golf is meant to be played and enjoyed by all so if you are just learning to play have consideration for the next golfer and maintain a reasonable pace of play by keeping up with the group ahead. On many golf courses, especially at resorts, there are rangers who monitor the course and when the course starts to back up they will courteously ask the players who are causing the hold up to kindly pick up the pace and keep things moving. We were so held up that by the 16th hole we called it a day even though we were playing well to that point.

On our last visit to Brentwood a few weeks before I shot an 85 which is not a particularly good score for me at this golf course. This past weekend on Saturday I made a minor adjustment in my swing path and it meant a world of difference in my game, which consisted of an eagle on the 4th hole par 5 and two birdies on 8 and 16. My front nine total was 38 and at the 16th when we quit on the back I was at 28 which meant if I bogied the last two holes, a par five 17th and par 4 18th I would have scored 39 on the back giving me a total score of 77 which was more in line with my expectations at Brentwood. Cathi also played well  and would have easily been in the mid nineties had we finished play. We had an enjoyable time again and look forward  to our next golf round. Remember to observe Golf Etiquette and enjoy yourself all the  more. Happy Golfing to All!

For more valuable tips and info on golf etiquette visit http://www.guideforbeginninggolfers.com and pick up a copy of Golf “Fore Ever” a new book I just wrote to help the new golfer get started “The Right Way”

In Part 4 of playing your first golf round I touched on the 1st tee jitters and some course courtesies or etiquette. After you have hit your ball on the 1st tee along with your fellow golfers the real game begins. I will continue to elaborate on some of the golf rules and etiquette of the game as we continue down the first fairway. Note : Etiquette is defined as the courtesies extended to your fellow golfers both in your group and on the golf course and to the golf course itself, ie; being quiet and standing to the side while another player is preparing to hit their shot, yelling fore if an errant shot is going off line and maybe toward another golfer, replacing a divot which is displaced during a golf shot, etc.. When all of the players have hit their tee shots you will go to the players ball who is furthest from the green on that particular hole first. The other players in the group or foursome, which is a common name for a group of golfers because the players are normally set up in groups of four, will stand off to the side out of the view of the player who is about to hit or address the ball. This will allow them to attain the maximum concentration without the distraction of someone off to the side talking or moving around , an important rule of golf course etiquette. You will all then proceed to hit your second shots in order of who is furthest from the green or away as referred to in golf lingo, while observing golf etiquette and no longer using a tee. The tee is the wooden or plastic accessory used to raise the ball to a desired height off the ground can only be used on the first shot on each golf hole. The subsequent shots must be played where they lie in adhering to the normal rules of golf. In inclement conditions , after rain or where there is standing water in the fairway or rough, the ball may be lifted, cleaned and placed so that a player is not unfairly penalized for abnormal conditions they may encounter on the course any particular day. There are also winter rules and ground under repair situations whereby you may remove and replace your ball in a new location, no closer to the hole, without penalty. When you become  proficient enough to play competitively or even join a golf club you must be careful to establish the rules and have everyone agree to the rules before you begin play or you may be called and penalized strokes or loss of a match because of an infraction of said rules.

When you approach your ball and prepare to hit your second shot make sure you remember to align your self to the target ahead. When the swing is executed properly many players will take a divot, which is a section of grass or turf and shoot it into the air as they complete their swing. Golf course etiquette dictates that the divot be replaced or a mixture of seed and fertilizer be poured into the spot where the divot was taken. Note: Many players, especially beginners will try to lift the ball with their club instead of hitting the ball with a descending blow which actually will cause the ball to rise up more proficiently, thus the reason the divot is taken. The correct swing for each person will come with practice under the guidance of a golf professional, whenever possible. A pro can help an individual attain a much more proficient swing in a much shorter amount of time than when self taught. You can learn yourself, as I did, but the reading and the experimentation process usually takes much longer than being taught by someone who knows how. After the second shot you will proceed to hit the ball until you reach the green , which is the tightly mowed area of grass around the flag stick or pin ( another name for the flag stick), whichever terminology you prefer. The ball will then be putted into the hole in the least amount of strokes possible, which will be discussed in Part 6.

The key to golf is to allow yourself to have fun and enjoy the game no matter what your skill level. Happy Golfing to all !

Visit http://guideforbeginninggolfers.com or more golf tips and info.

Once you have selected your tee location you must defer to the other players who may be in your group and check if they are playing from the same location. If they are playing the tee locations further back then they will hit first, and if they are playing the shorter tee locations then they will hit after you. When a player is on the tee box preparing to hit, the other players should stand off to the side and out of view of the golfer and remain quiet until they have completed their swing. This is one of the rules of golf etiquette and an important one at that. You will better understand my emphasis on etiquette as you become more experienced with the game. Also the ball should be placed between the tee markers and either even with them or behind them away from the golf hole – one of the rules of golf. It is not so important initially but if you ever get into competitive golf you better have some knowledge of the basic rules or you may lose a tournament because your opponent may call you on an infraction of a rule you may not have been aware of. I wouldn’t worry about it right now just go out and play and enjoy yourself. Happy Golfing To All !

For more tips and golf info visit http://guideforbeginninggolfers.com and http://mddeagle1.golfbegin.hop.clickbank.net/

If you have access to a private golf course or Country Club through a relative, friend or colleague, etc. then by all means take advantage of the accessibility of a golf setting that is not available to many people, especially for their first golf round. Ask them to set up a tee time for you and request them to play with you or have someone accompany you who is available and willing to play with a beginner and who knows the rules and etiquette of golf. If you do not have access to a Private Club and you are scheduling the tee time yourself then I would suggest you stop by at the intended golf course and speak to the resident golf PGA professional and ask him his for his recommendation on when to play. You can also speak to the golf starter who is in charge of sending out the golfers at the appropriate time and place on the course. He can advise you as to when to play so you can enjoy the round without feeling pressured on every shot. Once you have scheduled your tee time the next step is the arrival at the golf course. You should figure to arrive at the course at least a half hour before your scheduled time in order to allow for check in and warm up, and especially if you would like to grab something to drink or eat before you play. As you enter the driveway to the course you will most likely see directional arrows to the Bag Drop. Follow the signs so you can unload your bag at the location nearest the course ( Bag Drop ) so you will not have to carry your bag once you park the car. After you drop your bag make sure to put your golf shoes on ( if you have golf shoes – recommended) and proceed to the club house and Pro Shop to register to play. You will then pay what is called Green Fees ( for either 9 or 18 holes – your preference ) and then proceed to the starter with your receipt so he can set you up to play. Sometime when the golf course is very crowded the starter may elect to start some groups on the back nine so be prepared for that possibility, especially if you are only playing nine holes. It is actually a good idea for a new golfer to play nine holes for his or her first few times out and you can then request that you be started on the 10th hole thereby allowing you this part of the course to yourself. When I first taught my significant other to play, the starters were most cooperative and sent us off regularly on the back nine so we would feel less pressured and we would not hold up the more advanced groups of players. The game of golf is meant to be played with a certain tempo and within a reasonable amount of time. If you are waiting on every hole then you lose your rhythm  and will not play as well as you may be capable of. This is an important part of golf etiquette which you will learn as you become more experienced with the game. Well, you’ve arrived at the golf course, dropped your golf bag at the Bag Drop, checked in with the Pro Shop and Starter, warmed up sufficiently and you’re now ready for “The First Tee” ?

Next – “Arriving At The First Tee”  Happy Golfing To All !

Visit http://guideforbeginninggolfers.com and http://mddeagle1.golfbegin.hop.clickbank.net/ for more valuable golf tips and golf info.

A few recommendations I would make for scheduling your first tee time are as follows: 1. As noted previously ask someone to join you that is familiar with the game and who knows the basic rules and golf etiquette. 2. If you know someone who belongs to a Country Club and can take advantage of it then ask them to schedule a time for you when the least crowded so you will fell less pressured and it will allow some additional time for you to play. If not, drop by your local municipal course and check with the starter or local golf professional to see when they would recommend that you play for the first time. Note: During the week and on weekends there ar certain times that the golf course can be very crowded and not a good time to play for the first time. In the afternoon around 2:00pm to 4:00pm the course play is usually less busy and a much better time to schedule your round. 3. As noted in previous writings the average time for a golf round for the average golf foursome is about 4 1/2 hours or 15 minutes per hole. Do your best to keep up with that pace of play. When you first start playing you may have a tendency to lose more balls on wayward shots and thus require more time to look for them, especially if you are playing a course with narrow tree lined fairways. Do not take more than 3 to 5 minutes looking for a lost ball and if you lose two or three in an a row and there is a group behind you, then just drop a ball with the rest of your group and keep the pace of play moving. This is the main reason for suggesting the tee time to be scheduled on off hours so it will be a more enjoyable experience for you and your fellow golfers. You will also be adhering to an important rule of golf etiquette by extending this courtesy to your fellow golfers. Happy Golfing To All !

Next Post – Arriving at the Golf Course, Green Fees, and the First Tee Shot. Stay Tuned !

For more valuable golf tips and info visit http://guideforbeginninggolfers.com and http://mddeagle1.golfbegin.hop.clickbank.net/

I would like to spend some time in this writing, providing the new golfer with some useful information on selecting and arriving at a golf course for the first time. As noted above I will make the assumption that you have acquired sufficient knowledge on how to play, and acquired your clubs, bag and accessories and you’re ready to go. This is where one of the first rules of golf etiquette comes into play. Do not schedule your first tee time at the busiest times on the course. The best thing to do, if possible , is to ask a parent, relative or friend who is familiar with the game, to join you especially for the first few times playing. Another suggestion is to schedule your tee time after the prime times, usually mid to late afternoon and this way you will have the course to yourself and your group. You may only want to play nine holes until you get used to the requirements of the game, especially if the golf course offers a nine hole rate. It will provide a more relaxed introduction to the game until you learn the rules of golf, golf etiquette and how to move the ball effectively. If you have already acquired a proficiency at the game then by all means play the entire 18 holes at whatever time you so desire. One of the biggest violations of golf course etiquette is to schedule your first round and have no clue as to how to play or the courtesies involved with the game. That is why it is important to play the first few times with someone knowledgeable about golf and who can teach you the rules and the etiquette required to play properly. The main idea of playing this great sport is to make sure it is an enjoyable experience for all, which it will not be if you are waiting indefinitely on each hole and for each shot to be played. The average round of golf for a foursome takes approximately 4 1/2 hours or 15 minutes per hole as a rule of thumb. Once you become a seasoned player, the novice or new golfer who is unknowledgeable and discourteous to their fellow players will irk you more than you may think, especially if they take an inordinate amount of time with each shot. This is usually done by someone who has not  learned to play properly.

When a golfer first learns to play it can take some time before he or she can make solid contact with the ball to advance it with reasonable distance and accuracy toward the hole. As discussed in my previous posts but worth repeating; if you cannot make contact with the golf ball after a few swings then pick up the ball and drop near your fellow players and proceed to try again. Also if you have a lost ball in the woods, etc. do not take an excessive amount of time to find it. You can allow yourself a drop in an area where you are clear to play the ball toward the green or intended target because your score is not important at this stage of your game.

I think we made our point regarding courtesy to your fellow players and we can now proceed to scheduling your First Tee Time. Stay tuned and Happy Golfing To All !

Visit http://guideforbeginninggolfers.com and http://mddeagle1.golfbegin.hop.clickbank.net/ for more valuable golf tips and info.

As your swing continues and your right shoulder is passing under your chin the head can start to come up but the spine angle should remain intact as long as possible as you finish the swing. Your hips should now be almost fully open and perpindicular to and facing your intended target. NOTE : Another key move at this part of the swing, that is lacking in most beginners and even some seasoned players, is that they stay on their right foot and never finish the golf swing. This means that the weight shift was never completed and the hips never rotated properly, thus causing lack of both distance and accuracy.

The proper execution of the follow thru would include the right foot pivoting up onto the toe ( which would mean that the weight transfer from right to left was complete ) , the torso would be facing the target and the entire body would form some resemblance to a reverse C if you viewed it from a side perspective. The club would be wrapped around your neck and shoulders and this pose should be maintained until the ball lands in the fairway or on the green. Holding this position will help promote the proper swing finish by making it part of your muscle memory which will translate to a more accurate and repetitive finish to your golf swing. 

We have covered My Seven Step Check List for the Golf Swing and I hope it will be a help to your game. Some useful tips to remember and practice at the range and on the course are as follows: 1) Tee the ball at the proper height ( approx. 1/2 of the diameter of the golf ball should be above the top of the driver as it lays at rest on the ground ) Keep your left arm straight 3) Keep body and head upright so chin does not interfere with shoulder turn 4) Make sure you finish shoulder turn and back faces target 5) Make sure wrist cocks back properly and club is pointing back at target 6) Keep the head behind the ball for majority of swing sequence 7) Pronate the hands just after impact – Note: The pronation will happen naturally if you accelerate thru the impact area and follow thru correctly Make sure the right foot comes up on the toe at the finish and hold that position until the ball lands. 9) “Relax” your body and mind thru out your entire swing and you will have a much better chance at success than with a tense body and a busy mind. Take a deep breath and try to clear your thoughts from your mind as much as possible. Your Golf Game will improve with practice and experience. Keep the faith. Happy Golfing To all !

Visit http://guidefor beginninggolfers.com and http://mikedeagle.golfbegin.hop.clickbank.net/  for more valuable golf tips and info.