Baseball and football are two sports that have been undergoing massive shifts in their etiquette over the last few years. The former is witnessing the rise of showmanship in the form of bat flips and animated celebrations when rounding the bases, and innovative touchdown celebrations have been a staple in football for the last several years now.
And as is to be expected, what starts at the pro level trickles down to the amateur level, injecting a level of youthful enthusiasm into sports previously rooted in staunchly held etiquette for decades.
Unfortunately, the same modernizing changes haven’t taken place in golf. A sport where the age of the average participant in the United States is 54 isn’t exactly interested in theatrics. To this older generation, respecting the game means treating it with a certain level of professionalism. That’s not necessarily an indictment of the sport itself or the culture surrounding it, just a reality that newcomers of any age must be keenly aware of before heading to the course and what that entails.
“Etiquette on and around the golf course is crucial, and is just as important as the rules of play to ensure that you play the game in the proper spirit,” wrote Yves C. Ton-That in his book, Golf Etiquette Quick Reference: A Golfer’s Guide to Correct Conduct. “When you’re in the company of seasoned golfers, or invited to play a private club, saying or doing even one thing incorrectly can make the difference of not being invited back.”
First impressions are crucial in any setting, and there’s no better way to make a good one on the golf course than with your attire. In the same way that you would never wear jeans to play basketball, knowing what to wear at a golf course helps you look like you’ve been there before, and some golf courses also have a strict dress code.
The traditional golf look includes collared shirts and, depending on the weather, either trousers or docker-style shorts. Women can also go with a skirt or skort — a skirt with a pair of integral shorts hidden underneath — in warmer weather. In terms of shoes, any that don’t do damage to the turf should be fine.
Once you get past that first step, the task of following proper etiquette then transitions to the game itself.
People often pay a hefty amount to play an 18-hole round of golf and take it seriously to get their money’s worth, which is why they’d absolutely hate to have one of their swings interrupted by the sound of a ring or vibration of your phone. Turn off your phone or put it on airplane mode or do not disturb. Ideally, you shouldn’t be checking your phone all that often anyway. Constantly taking it out of your pocket before scrolling through apps gives off the impression that you’d rather be somewhere else. That’s not exactly the type of person people would want to do anything with.
Keeping the game moving is also important to golf etiquette. Everyone needs a few practice swings before lining up for the real thing, but there comes a point where the reps get excessive. Loosen up and then tee off. You’re not trying to become a pro.
And while your form isn’t likely one to be replicated, make sure it’s not creating small craters on the fairway. It’s better to sacrifice any number of yards on your swing than to give off the impression that you don’t respect the course and those who put the work in to cultivate its pristine appearance.
Other examples of etiquette differ based on where you’re playing and who you’re playing with. Some golf courses are more lenient with the dress code. Others are more strict. You might be able to get an idea based on how much you paid to enter the course.
For a better feel of the game and all that comes with it, download the United States Golf Association’s Rules of Golf App.
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