Tofino Golf: Golf Etiquette

by Keith "Gibby" Gibson, C.P.G.A Head Professional, Tofino

For the game of golf to be joyous, each player participates in accordance with a code of decent and friendly conduct which includes safe and fast play, proper care of the golf course, and basic courtesy. If you are new to golf it may seem intimidating having to join a group so here are a few things that can help you make friends on the course:

Etiquette:

• Rake all bunkers. Replace all divots. Don't make divots with practice swings.
• On greens, repair all ball marks. Repair spike marks on the greens after finishing play. Be most careful on the greens, tread lightly, don't damage the hole. In other words, leave the course and particularly the greens in the condition in which you would like to find them.

Safety:

• Be careful when you swing a club, whether in practice (you might hit someone nearby) or in play (you might also hit your ball into someone). Therefore, don't play until the group in front is out of the way.

Courtesy:

• Don't move, talk, or stand close to or directly behind a player making a stroke.
• Observe the rules including who has the honor.
• Play without delay! Slow play is a huge aggravation. Leave the putting green as soon as all players in your group have holed out – no dawdling please!
• Invite faster groups to play through.
• Don't step on the line of another player's putt.
• Replace the flagsticks carefully in an upright position.

Happy Golfing!

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Keith Gibby Gibson is a pro golfer, managing the Long Beach Golf Course in Tofino. Visit their website at www.longbeachgolfcourse.com