Etiquette and Protocol

Aim: "making the game more enjoyable for you and others"

Often overlooked, this is a very important part of the game, and if you follow a few simple rules then you will always be a "winner" in my book, and you'll stand out from the crowd.The first thing to remember is FUN, you know, the reason we all play...whether youre playing on your own, or against someone else, it should always be fun, if you find yourself too pumped up and aggressive and only caring about the result, if you are screaming because you suck on that day, you need to take a break !We all have good days and bad days and it is so easy to be enjoy the score when you play well , but you should always have fun even if you are struggling, it should make you determined to improve. Believe me, it gets boring shooting in the fifties all the time, thats why most people move to championship level, for the challenge it brings and the fact that you enjoy plotting your way round, making the odd birdie. In short, be a member of NATO, that is NOT ATTACHED TO OUTCOME. If all you care about is the little number on your card at the end of the round, you are really missing out on something, not to mention you are by definition a sad and boring git. Play FAIR, and this isnt hard to do. Ask yourself if what you are doing is fair, if you have to ask then you arent ! If you have a mouse fart, take a mullie but always check after that it was ok with your opponent. DONT drop back to the fairway if you hit into the trees or OB, take it where you are put by Links, even if it it is horrible, you put the ball there, so you get it out ! Dont whinge every time you miss a shot, or miss a putt, everyone does it, theres nothing worse than playing people who "only lost because they missed such and such a shot"...YAWN ! We all lose, so give it your best shot and if you lose, even if you feel hard done by then hey, thats golf ! congratulate your opponent and get him next time, and dont rush off in a huff because you got beat, in short, dont be an asshole, todays opponent could be tomorrows partner ! and hey, theres always a 59 round the corner.The other thing is FRIENDSHIP, this game gives you a great opportunity to meet and make new friends from all over the world, so dont let the chance slip away. Ok if youre not a big chatter but I hate playing people who only think about their shots, who dont chat a little, congratulate your good shots etc...have a laugh, dont be too serious, and you'll make friends forever. Theres no way I would have had the clout to get 200 people on tour if I had'nt spent some time making a whole bunch of great people on my golf travels, sure be known as a tough competitor,a pitbull of golf ;-) but also be known as a good sport who is fun to play with, and youll be a hero in no time ! My final word on etiquette is time of play ! DONT take 5 minutes for every shot, connections are bad enough as it is and phone costs over here are very high, so it gets right on my tits when I play someone who takes AGES over every shot, theres simply no need.....you should be thinking ahead to your next shot while your opponent is playing, so you only need fine adjust the shot when you are up. So, if you bear all this in mind, I'm sure you'll be a popular player who'll have a lot of fun in his Links, and once you stop worrying about the result its surprising just how often you start winning !

Top Tips: Become a member of NATO (not attached to outcome) for instant enjoyment
Remember the three "F"'s...Fun, Friendship and Fairness
The person who may or may not be beating you is another person, not a deadly enemy !
Don't bore everyone to death by taking forever over your shots (usually the chart freaks)

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