It is All About Respect – Raking a Sand Trap

June 22, 2015June 21, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 10 Comments

Raking a sand trap is an important aspect of respect for your fellow players and the golf course. How many times have you mistakenly hit your ball into the sand trap only to find it in a poorly raked area. Or, even worse, in an area not raked at all! This is a very frustrating aspect of golf that can easily be fixed.

Raking a sand trap is really easy, it takes next to no time, and demonstrates a fair bit of character. A poorly raked sand trap is a pet peeve for many players and I guess I would be one. I do find it difficult enough to play out of the sand, without having a poor lie caused by someone taking the time to properly rake the trap. Care for the course is part of golf and helps everyone maximize their fun on the links.

The video below is perfect for those who do not know the proper way to rake a trap. As we expand our knowledge about golf, it empowers us all to fully enjoy the game.

A properly raked sand trap is one of the many things I am grateful for on the golf course. How about you?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Golf Etiquette On The Pro Tour

February 21, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 10 Comments

Etiquette is important to the spirit of golf. They are many unwritten guidelines that make sure everyone enjoys the game of kings. Of all the players involved in golf, I would expect professionals to display the highest levels of etiquette. As the élite of my favorite sport, there is an expectation that they conduct themselves in a reasonable and professional manner.

Golf Etiquette is Important For Everyone to Know!

A while back, I wrote an article about “Etiquette on the Green“. In it, I outlined many do’s and don’ts of being on the green. It is something I believe is very important and should be on the mind of all players, novice and professional. However, I did not touch on an etiquette incident I notice earlier this week.

While watching Thursday’s round of the Northern Trust Open, I noticed something that I thought was a breach of etiquette, but after discussion with a work mate (who is an avid golfer) I am not so sure. Maybe you can help me out, am I being paranoid or not?

On the 10th green, a player had lined up his putt and was preparing to execute his shot. Off to his left, another player was patiently waiting for his turn to play. As the original player made contact with his ball, the second player started walking towards his ball. Now, I applaud the second players actions to speed up play, but this is where I thought he went over the line.

With the ball still in motion, the second player walked between the person putting and their ball. At first I thought I was seeing things, but after the replay, it was true. The breach of etiquette for me was that he blocked the view of the ball from the person playing while it is still in play. Watching your ball until in completely stops is a great habit to get into because it provides a better understanding of the break on their next shot. So someone blocking your view, in my opinion, is a breach of etiquette.

So, am I crazy or what? Should the second player have stayed still until the ball finished rolling? Maybe walked around the person playing? What are your thoughts?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Golf Etiquette on the Green

August 12, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 17 Comments

Golf etiquette is one of my core reasons for playing. I like the gentlemanly aspect of interacting with other players at a mature level. It brings civility to the game of kings, unmatched in the sporting world. Name another sport where the playing relationship is rooted in the core values of honesty, integrity and fair play. We monitor our own actions, call our own penalties, and conduct ourselves in such a way as to ensure everyone enjoys their round of golf. Etiquette, especially on the green, is a guiding principle.

Understanding etiquette is not as simple as it sounds. The PGA has outlined some etiquette guidelines that everyone should read. However, for most beginners, etiquette generally falls into the category of “You don’t know what you don’t know”! Etiquette has never been explained to them and as such, they do not understand that they are doing anything wrong. Below are a few pictures to help address this knowledge gap!

When placing the pin down, be aware of the ball location and do not place the pin in the sight line of a player.

The pin was placed away from the player, but is still in the sight line.

Avoid placing your clubs in the sight line of a player.

Avoid standing in the sight line of a player. If you want to watch as their ball rolls to the pin, stand-off to the side and move to a better viewing location after contact.

Avoid having your shadow in the player’s sight line. This is a potential problem early in the morning or late in the evening.

This is a good example of the proper placement of the pin. Behind the player, out of their sight line to the hole.

These are just a few examples of golf etiquette on the green. As the weeks unfold, I will bring you more examples from the cheap seats of the do’s and don’ts that make each round of golf enjoyable!

If you have any etiquette examples or stories to share, please do not hold back!

Thanks to my friend Jean for helping with the photo shoot. I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!