The game of golf is a unique blend of sport and relaxation, and here at Copper Hill Country Club in Hunterdon County, our golf course is one of our most popular attractions. When visiting golf courses, it’s important that everyone observe the common etiquette of the game and the facility. Here are 10 tips to help you have a great time during your day on the course.
1. Respect the course by replacing pitch marks or divots, picking up trash, and following any regulations of the facility. At Copper Hill, we do not allow metal spiked shoes, to keep the green in good condition.
2. Be sportsmanlike to fellow players. Avoid distracting other players while they are concentrating.
3. Abide by the rules of the game. There is no umpire to enforce the spirit of the game, so players must all agree to do this themselves.
4. Keep other players safe by waiting till they are out of range to swing, and to let them know when a ball or piece of debris is heading their way.
5. Keep in mind the priority rules that the facility follows. Most golf courses allow groups are playing whole rounds to take priority over groups playing shorter rounds.
6. Pay attention to any debris, such as twigs, stones, pebbles, and so on, that could be sprayed around when you stroke, and be sure to consider if that debris will affect those around you.
7. Replace any turf that is disturbed by a stroke right away to keep the green in good shape for the next player.
8. Be sure that you consider any dress code regulations of the facility. For example, here at Copper Hill, hats with bills must be worn with the bill facing front.
9. Keep electronic devices on silent so that they don’t accidentally disturb others during a shot.
10. In general, the biggest etiquette for exploring a new course is simply to maintain self-control at all times, no matter how competitive the game gets.
These 10 tips may be things you already know as a golfer, but it never hurts to remember that golf is a sophisticated sport with an unspoken understanding regarding the way the course and fellow players are treated. When visiting new courses, it’s always a good idea to keep the spirit of golf in mind.
