| A beginner's guide to golf | | | | While bunkers may seem like a huge |
| For a seemingly easy idea, golf is rather complex. | | | | inconvenience - something to be hit from and |
| There are rules to govern almost every | | | | then left as soon as possible - golfing etiquette |
| eventuality, but if a novice were to learn the rule | | | | requires that you rake them thoroughly after use. |
| book and practice endlessly, he would still be | | | | No one likes the double blow of finding out that |
| unprepared. This is because there are a series of | | | | firstly that their ball has landed in a bunker, and |
| unwritten rules as important as those written in | | | | secondly that it is further trapped in the deep |
| the book. Knowing what to do and when to do it, | | | | cave of someone else's foot print. |
| makes a golfing holiday more enjoyable for | | | | 4. Divots |
| everyone. | | | | Divots left un-filled are more annoying than |
| Post-game | | | | un-raked bunkers. Either put the earth sod back |
| 10. Be a sportsman | | | | to where you made the divot or fill with hole with |
| Golf is a sport so be a sportsman. Everyone hits | | | | the sand mixture that is sometimes on the Tee |
| bad shots and has bad days so control your | | | | or on the bubby. |
| temper when it's your turn...The game won't get | | | | 3. Scoring |
| you down and your playing partners will laugh with | | | | You should also state your score when retrieving |
| you rather than at you. | | | | your ball from the hole and you should also take |
| 9. At the Final Hole | | | | note of what your opponents score is. Always |
| Be a good loser and good winner - gracious in | | | | mark the card when moving from the green to |
| defeat and magnanimous in victory. | | | | the next tee. |
| 8. Settling up | | | | 2. Order of play |
| It's not uncommon for side bets or wagers to be | | | | The player furthest from the hole plays first in |
| placed on a game. If you do enjoy a flutter - | | | | any golf game except when you are paired with |
| never welch on a bet and be the first to buy a | | | | a partner against another two players and you |
| round of drinks when you win. | | | | can choose you plays first for tactical reasons. |
| 7. Finding a lost ball | | | | Holidays are, again, much more pleasant when |
| Never spend more than 5 minutes, don't waste | | | | you aren't known as impatient among your fellow |
| time looking for lost causes and spend as much | | | | guests. |
| time looking for your opponent's ball as you would | | | | 1. Understand the rules of golf. |
| yours. | | | | Though seemingly obvious, a good understanding |
| 6. Giving Mulligans | | | | of the rules of the game is very important. This |
| Mulligans are when you can have another shot | | | | saves the embarrassment of having them |
| with no penalty...Usually the first drive of the day. | | | | explained to you through gritted teeth every few |
| Gimmes are when your ball is so close to the | | | | strokes and is the foundation of our entire list - if |
| hole, your opponent let's you pick up the ball, | | | | you don't know the rules, you won't be able to |
| knowing that you would have holed out anyway. | | | | comprehend the etiquette. Ask you local Pro for |
| 5. Bunkers | | | | some guidance during your lessons. |