RULES and ETIQUETTE
By Chris Kasheta, Head Golf Professional at The International

With the pleasant surprise of an early spring, now is the perfect time to discuss one of the most important ways to prepare for the golf season…a review of golf rules and etiquette. Staying current on golf’s rules and etiquette will improve your score. Here are three key concepts to remember as you kick-off your golf season.

Pace of Play: Time is precious and it is important to maintain a comfortable pace as you make your way around the course. Always attempt to keep up with the group in front of you. By achieving a consistent rhythm and pace of play, you will improve your game.

Care on the Course: Make your best effort to leave the course in better condition than it was found. Not only will the course and its members appreciate this, but you will have a more rewarding round. A large portion of the game’s enjoyment is derived from the experience of being outside on a parcel of land designed and manicured with your next round in mind. Preserving the course for your fellow players will enhance the overall impression and help to grow the game.

Colleagues on the Course: Watch and learn from your fellow players. It is never too late to discover some aspect of the game that will further enhance your skill set. Hitting that little ball in as few strokes as possible into a 4 ¼ inch cup can seem like a simple concept. However, factoring in the topography of the land, the weather conditions, and the six inches between our ears, we have a game will provide challenges for a lifetime.

For more information on etiquette and the rules of the game, refer to The Rules of Golf. Written by the United States Golf Association, (USGA) it is one of the best resources to stay current on the ever-changing rules of the game.