Practice green etiquette

[tam]

I just got Phil's shortgame DVD, and I've only watched the putting section so far. I want to practice some of the drills he gives, but they involve sticking tees in the green to mark certain locations, and I'd pretty much monopolize one of the holes on the practice green for the duration of my practice. Is this an acceptable thing to do on a public practice green?

 

Also, someone told me that I should be practicing my putting with the same balls that I play with, because range balls will feel different and may react differently. Is that good advice, or is the difference negligble? Somehow I feel a little weird showing up to the course, not buying any range balls or anything, and using their practice facilities for free. What do you think?

[Bomb and Gouge]

Always putt with the balls you use on the course. Why wouldn't you?

(I never use more than two or three balls anyway)

 

I wouldn't monopolize a hole if the green is crowded. If you want to set up your drill, make your own target off on the side. You don't need an actual hole to practice your putting.

[Bobcat 2]

Putting is all about feel, if you putt dead range balls a certain distance, yours may go less or further. I think people should buy balls based only on how consistent they putt them. A yards more off the tee is not worth a round of three putts.

[mkrolewski]

As to practice green etiquette, I think you should consider the golden rule. No not "he who has the gold makes the rules" -- do unto others, as they do unto you. Practice greens are a community property and you are expected to share.

 

 

Keep a minimum number of balls in play. Generally 3-4 (a cup's worth) is understandable. Chipping practice when no one is around using 50 balls is fine. Even 5 when all holes are in play is quite bothersome unless you're really good.

 

Mark your balls. Your ProV1 looks like everyone else's.

 

If the green is crowded, you can and should limit yourself in terms of number of holes that you are occupying at any given time -- generally one. As a corallary, try not to hit to the same hole as someone else is already playing. Look around when swithing to a new hole -- others may have the same idea.

 

Collect stray strokes quickly -- after each set of balls in play. Especially important if chipping or pitching as ball tend to travel much farther.

 

Try not to setup too close to the last hole you played to when playing to another hole. This allows someone else to hit into that hole. Otherwise you are actually tieing up two holes at once.

 

Bring a "spare" hole to practice to. Often practice greens have areas that lack holes (repairs, resting the green). If you have a Pelz Phoney Hole or one of those wooden peg holes or even just a tee, you can setup out of the way and practice all you want.

 

If you need the whole green, with markers, etc, look for a time when the green is empty. Or look for another site like a driving range, etc which is less populated. Many practice greens are not used all day -- especially evenings or late afternoons. If someone shows up to practice, acknowledge that they are there and reduce your setup to allow them onto the surface.

 

If you are setting up markers, be aware that they are not impeding the ball roll of someone else. Remember someone may be making long putts with big breaks.

 

Leave the putting surface when you are done or taking a break. Remember to remove your balls and other equipment.

 

 

 

Mike Krolewski

[tam]

Thank you everyone, and Mike especially.

 

Sounds like common sense stuff. Just wanted to make sure there weren't any "special" rules of etiquette that I ought to know about first.

 

I'm lucky to have 3 golf courses in town (wth? this IS the desert, ya know), and I have a pass at one of them. Unfortunately "my" course only has one practice green open, and it's rather small. The other is closed for maintenance. It was closed all of last year, so hopefully they will open it this year.

 

I'll have to check out the other two courses also. I know one of them has a large practice green, but I suspect it is busy.

[Sandman600]

Not sure how anyone else feels about this but I like to remove those mini flags. I try to practice on one hole only but from different sides, to get different breaks. I would agree to not try and putt 50-60 footers if the green in crowded. Cant understand why people do this? :fool: