The New Unwritten Rules of Golf Etiquette

[2bGood]

2 hours ago, ThePutterGirl said:

In this same line of thinking....

 

MY ULTIMATE CRINGE = SOMEONE WALKING ACROSS THE GREEN WHILE CARRYING THEIR BAG INSTEAD OF WALKING AROUND THE GREEN.   

 

I'd always been taught ten yards off. I guess normally as I'm walking towards the green I look where the next hole is leave my bag in the direction on I'll be walking to the next tee box  Usually this is in rough well off the the green or on the cart path/on the edge of the cart path.  

 

Hopefully I'm on the green and only need to take a putter 🙂 .  Doesn't seem to be a point in dragging you whole bag the the edge of the green when all you need is a putter or a putter + wedge.  

 

Personally, I don't think bags belong on the fringe, and visually for me it's distracting to have your bag right up there against the green.  Especially late in the day if it's making shadows.  

 

If you are fit enough to walk 18 holes carrying your clubs you can leave the bag ten yards off. Maybe if there is something unique about how you are playing that hole, or it will slow play due the course layout...

 

16 minutes ago, Mudguard said:

 

Stuff that. That's the whole point of using a carry bag. You can walk point to point. 

I weigh 75kg, carry bag (which I don't use anymore) must weigh about 15kg. So that's 90kg. I play with people heavier than that and they're walking on greens. 

 

Yep you brought up one of those other interesting debates. Walk across the green with bags or not? The total weight theory seems to hold up in this regard. My bag is very light (15lbish) sad to say my weight fluctuates by that amount on the regular - after Christmas walk around the green, in bathing suite summer carry it over? (;

[Imp]

23 minutes ago, Mudguard said:

 

Stuff that. That's the whole point of using a carry bag. You can walk point to point. 

I weigh 75kg, carry bag (which I don't use anymore) must weigh about 15kg. So that's 90kg. I play with people heavier than that and they're walking on greens. 

Bingo. People that carry are generally on the lighter side of the spectrum. One should have no issue of them carrying their bag on the green as long as it's not on anyones line and near the edges (I do agree straight across should be a no-no). Caddies, however, have a different set of rules, never carry bags on greens. I can see why that can be considered part of the "rule" of not carrying on the green for everyone, but I really don't have an issue with it.

 

Place them off the green, on the exit line. Fringe should be a no-no more than rough, an uneven fringe, if I have to putt that previously had a bag on it, is a bigger issue to deal with.  Most carry with a stand bag, so there is little imprint on the rough, and rough is where it belongs. If you have to lay them down, again, on the side, near the side/exit, and probably on a slope (not many balls remain on slopes). 

 

Edited September 10, 2021 by Imp

[rogolf]

41 minutes ago, Imp said:

Bingo. People that carry are generally on the lighter side of the spectrum. One should have no issue of them carrying their bag on the green as long as it's not on anyones line and near the edges (I do agree straight across should be a no-no). Caddies, however, have a different set of rules, never carry bags on greens. I can see why that can be considered part of the "rule" of not carrying on the green for everyone, but I really don't have an issue with it.

 

Place them off the green, on the exit line. Fringe should be a no-no more than rough, an uneven fringe, if I have to putt that previously had a bag on it, is a bigger issue to deal with.  Most carry with a stand bag, so there is little imprint on the rough, and rough is where it belongs. If you have to lay them down, again, on the side, near the side/exit, and probably on a slope (not many balls remain on slopes). 

 

I see Pro's staff bags standing up on tees and fairways, but are generally laying down by the green (while the caddie is away from it dealing with the flagstick).

Edited September 10, 2021 by rogolf

[Halebopp]

8 hours ago, 2bGood said:

 

 

Yep you brought up one of those other interesting debates. Walk across the green with bags or not? The total weight theory seems to hold up in this regard. My bag is very light (15lbish) sad to say my weight fluctuates by that amount on the regular - after Christmas walk around the green, in bathing suite summer carry it over? (;

 

It's not about who or what weights more or applies more pressure per square inch, it's about what's necessary and what isn't. Walking on the green to finish the hole is necessary while walking across it just to get to the other side isn't. Just like mowers need to drive on the greens and teeing grounds but carts don't need to be rolled over them.

[denkea]

17 hours ago, DLiver said:

I have a hazy recollection about a rule that does not allow someone from observing your putt (or shot) from directly behind or on the through line. Does this ring a bell for anyone?

Only if that individual is a teammate or caddy.  Others - no problem.  

[denkea]

17 hours ago, DLiver said:

I have a hazy recollection about a rule that does not allow someone from observing your putt (or shot) from directly behind or on the through line. Does this ring a bell for anyone?

delete

Edited September 10, 2021 by denkea

[straightshot7]

On 9/4/2021 at 5:41 AM, JohnnyCashForever said:

The unwritten rules of golf etiquette used to be fairly simple.  IMO, they boiled down to two basic tenets.  The first was "Don't let your actions impair/impede the play of your opponent/partner."  So you had rules like:

 

• Don't stand behind or in front of the intended target line of someone about to hit.
• Don't walk on a player's line on the green.
• Be quiet/still when a player is about to hit.
• Do not intentionally engage in gamesmanship.
• etc.

 

The second basic tenet was "Be courteous on the course."  So you had rules like:

 

• Fix ball marks.
• Rake bunkers.
• Do not hit into the group in front of you.
• Offer to let faster groups play through.
• Offer to tend the flag if you're the closest ball to the pin.
• Compliment good play/shots.
• Don't hurry, but don't loiter on the course either.
• Try to sincerely hope your opponent/partner plays well.  If you can't do that, fake it.
• etc.

 

Today, some of these rules are obsolete.  For example, with the new-ish rule on flagsticks, it's becoming increasingly rare for anyone to offer or ask to have the flagstick tended.  Some of these rules are ignored now.  For example, thanks to spikeless shoes and soft spikes, many golfers don't think twice about walking in someone's line, especially on firm, fast greens.   

 

So, what are the new rules of golf etiquette?  And what rules are now obsolete?

 

 

 

 

I don't think any of these things are obsolete.

 

I don't appreciate it if anyone walks in my putting line, no matter what kind of shoes they are wearing. It's not that hard to walk around or step over. 

 

If anything, with all of the new players joining the game, they should be taught or reminded of the basic tenants you shared.