At RedWater Golf, we’re proud to have Kelly Plaisier, PGA Player Development Director, guiding golfers of all levels to improve their game. With years of teaching experience, Kelly focuses not only on the technical side of golf but also on the vital importance of etiquette on the course.
As Kelly explains, practicing proper etiquette ensures that everyone can enjoy their time on the course. In her experience, three key pieces of etiquette every golfer should remember are:
- Keep up with the group ahead of you
- Track your own ball
- Know what club to hit and when
The truth is, most golfers are focused on their own game, so as long as you follow these three key rules, you won’t disrupt their experience. There is a sign posted at RedWater that sums this up perfectly: “Play well, play fast. Play poorly, play faster!”
However, if you’re a competitive golfer or a club member, there are additional considerations to help maintain the course in top condition. Kelly shares a personal story from her experience:
“I often share a story from when I played in the Michigan Open as an amateur, paired with professional golfers. Even though I was a competitive golfer, my caddy—my fiancé, who wasn’t a golfer at the time—made a rookie mistake by walking right through the line of my competitors after removing the pin on the first green. This experience illustrates why it’s essential to go beyond just the basics.”
That moment served as a reminder that proper etiquette extends beyond the basics. Beyond keeping pace and tracking your ball, every golfer—especially those who play regularly—should follow additional guidelines to protect the course and ensure an enjoyable experience for all. Here are five key etiquette tips that Kelly emphasizes to golfers of all levels:
Avoid stepping on putting lines:
The putting line is the path the ball will travel to the hole. The grass on the green is delicate, and any footprint or shoe mark could alter how the ball rolls. It’s good etiquette to walk around the putting line and the player lining up their putt.
Know where to stand on the tee and green:
Being visible to the golfer without obstructing their shot helps ease their mind and reduces concerns about accidentally hitting you. On the tee box, stand off to the side rather than directly behind their ball or in their line of sight. On the green, avoid standing directly behind the golfer or in their view. Also, be mindful of your shadow, ensuring it doesn’t cross the putting line, the cup, or the golfer’s view.
Record your scores on the next tee box:
To maintain a smooth pace of play, record your scores on the next tee box. This practice allows the group behind you to hit into the green sooner and lets you tally and mark your score while others are teeing off, keeping the game moving efficiently.
Drive the golf cart responsibly:
If the golf course has cart paths, stay fully on the path (not half on, half off) to avoid damaging the grass along the edges. Each course may have different rules, and conditions like precipitation can change them daily. Cross the fairway at 90 degrees and return to the cart path when you’re within 30 feet of the greens.
Replace/fill your divots and repair ball marks on the green:
Have you ever found yourself in a divot on the fairway or missed a putt because it hit a ball mark on the green? Proper course maintenance is crucial. Always replace your divots or fill them with sand and seed if provided, keeping the fairway in good condition and preventing issues for other golfers. On the green, repair your ball mark by pressing the grass back into place rather than lifting it. As a good habit, consider fixing an additional ball mark to contribute to the course’s upkeep.
At RedWater, we’ve implemented a “Guard the Grounds” concept across our courses, where each member is assigned, specific holes based on the first letter of their last name. This imitative encourages members to take extra care on their designated holes, helping maintain the best possible condition of our golf courses and ensuring everyone takes accountability for its upkeep.
