Etiquette revisited

Just like a good spring cleaning every year, golfers can use a gentle reminder about some simple golf course etiquette. Here is a post from last year that we may turn into a springtime tradition:

Since the earliest history of golf, the game has been about fairness, honesty, and sportsmanship. The game is played alongside fellow competitors but more importantly played against the course. Raking the bunker behind oneself, fixing ball marks, and replacing divots are all things that each player can do to make the course enjoyable for everyone to follow and allow each person to play against a fair course.

The technology and style of golf nowadays is nothing like years past. Everyone hits the ball farther, courses are longer and harder, and design concepts have changed as well. However, there are some things that have not changed. No matter how long the course is or how far a person hits the ball, eventually they will take a shot at the green. When a person hits a green with their shot on the fly the ball will produce a ball mark or pitch mark. This mark is the “crater” that the ball creates when it impacts the green. There are several reasons it is important to fix the mark. First, the pitch mark will impact how well the ball rolls on the green. Because the pitch mark makes a dent in the green the surface becomes uneven. Any person following who may putt through that line will be negatively affected by an unfixed ball mark because the ball will not roll smoothly. Second, when the green is mowed next, the mower will gouge into the raised portion of the ball mark rather than gliding across it, causing damage to the green. That unfixed ball mark will now look unsightly and take several weeks to heal properly. Fixing the ball mark only takes a few seconds but can make a huge difference.

Another good habit for every golfer is raking the bunker following a shot. The first person to play out of a bunker each day has a well raked bunker that hasn't been used by anyone. That first person has the responsibility to leave that bunker as near as to how they found it as possible. By raking the bunker carefully, the first golfer ensures that the next person who hits in that bunker will not be penalized by the bunker AND any footprints that still remain. Raking the bunker behind you also is a benefit to the Grounds Department. If no one raked the bunker, eventually the sand would be so displaced and such a hole created that the work to fix that bunker would be greatly increased.

Replacing and filling divots is another small thing that golfers can do that benefits fellow golfers as well as the Grounds Department. The divot is the chunk of turf and soil that is taken out by the golf club when a shot is taken from a tee or fairway. When the divot is taken in the fairway it is best to retrieve the divot and fit it back into the space from which it came. Replacing the divot makes a better playing surface for the next golfer. If the divot is not replaced and the next golfer hits his or her shot into the void from a divot then their next shot must be played from a horrible lie. In contrast, the replaced divot may not be exactly the same as undisturbed fairway, but it is much better than a hole. Replacing the divot also saves the machines that mow the fairways. The cutting portion of the mower is designed to cut grass not soil. So when divots are not replaced the mower cuts through the soil attached to the turf and the mower becomes dull very quickly. This adds labor time and money to the maintenance of the machine but it also affects how well the fairways are cut. The playability of a poorly cut fairway is not nearly as good as it should be. Divots can also be taken from tee boxes as well. Tee divots are not as commonly replaced as they are filled with sand that is provided at the tee box. Most commonly tee divots are taken on par three or short par four holes. On the par three holes there is a green container of sand. This sand is used to put into the void from the divot instead of putting the actual piece of turf back. Sometimes, fairway divots shred into tiny pieces that are not able to be replaced and sand is used in that case as well. One important thing golfers need to remember when filling the divot with sand either on a tee or in the fairway is to make sure and smooth the sand down. Leaving a pile of sand is no different than not replacing the divot in the fairway; the mower will grind right through the sand and dull the blades.

Once these tasks become routine for all the golfers on the course, all players will have a level playing field.  Each player should strive to leave the course better than you found which will make the experience for everyone that follows that much more enjoyable.

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org