LPGA Golf Clinics for Women: What Would Tiger Do?

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Proper etiquette starts before you even get to the course. Once you've made a tee time, keep these tips in mind:

Before You Play
• Always contact the pro shop.
• Reconfirm tee time.
• Ask about club and course policies (dress code, caddies, dining, locker room, cell phone use).
• Check on the club's payment policy – policies can vary greatly from club to club; some take cash only, others accept
no payments of any kind and all charges are billed to the member(s).
• Get directions.

If You are the Host
• Reconfirm with everyone.
• Arrange for payment if you are picking up the tab, or let your guest(s) know the payment amounts and policies.
• Inform your guest(s) of any club policies that they need to adhere to (dress codes, pace of play, caddies, cell phone use).
• Arrive early – before your guest(s).

If You are the Guest
• Arrive at least ½ an hour prior to your tee time.
• Make any payments upon arrival – don’t put your host in the awkward position of having to ask.
• Bring cash for tips (bag drop, caddies).
• A small token of your appreciation may be in order for your host, especially if she paid for the day or if she is a client.

First Impressions Stick
Courtesy on the course says a lot about you

As with most things in life, proper etiquette is expected and always appreciated. Golf is no exception. And, as you might imagine, there is proper etiquette specific to the game of golf. The United States Golf Association (USGA) is the governing body for golf in the United States. Below, the USGA provides guidelines on the manner in which the game of golf should be played. If they are followed, all players will gain maximum enjoyment from the game. The overriding principle is that consideration should be shown to others on the course at all times.

The Spirit of the Game
Unlike many sports, golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.

Safety
► Players should ensure that no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs or the like when they make a stroke or practice swing.
► Players should not play until the players in front are out of range.
► Players should always alert greens staff nearby or ahead when they are about to make a stroke that might endanger them.
► If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, he should immediately shout a warning. The traditional word of warning in such a situation is "Fore!"

Priority on the Course
► Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the course is determined by a group's pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round.

Consideration for Other Players
► No Disturbance or Distraction
~ Players should always show consideration for other players on the course and should not disturb their play by moving, talking or making any unnecessary noise.
~ Players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course does not distract other players.
~ On the teeing ground, a player should not tee his ball until it is his turn to play.
~ Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball, or directly behind the hole, when a player is about to play.

► On the Putting Green
~ On the putting green, players should not stand on another player's line of putt or when he is making a stroke, cast a shadow over his line of putt.
~ Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all other players in the group have holed out.

► Scoring
~ In stroke play, a player who is acting as a marker should, if necessary, on the way to the next tee, check the score with the player concerned and record it.

Pace of Play
► Play at Good Pace and Keep Up
~ Players should play at a good pace. The Committee may establish pace of play guidelines that all players should follow.
~ It is a group's responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group.

► Be Ready to Play
~ Players should be ready to play as soon as it is their turn to play. When playing on or near the putting green, they should leave their bags or carts in such a position as will enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee. When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.

► Lost Ball
~ If a player believes his ball may be lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, to save time, he should play a provisional ball.
~ Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found.
~ They should not search for five minutes before doing so. Having allowed the group behind to play through, they should not continue play until that group has passed and is out of range.

Care of the Course
► Bunkers
~ Before leaving a bunker, players should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints made by them and any nearby made by others. If a rake is within reasonable proximity of the bunker, the rake should be used for this purpose.

► Repair of Divots, Ball-Marks and Damage by Shoes
~ Players should carefully repair any divot holes made by them and any damage to the putting green made by the impact of a ball (whether or not made by the player himself). On completion of the hole by all players in the group, damage to the putting green caused by golf shoes should be repaired.

► Preventing Unnecessary Damage
~ Players should avoid causing damage to the course by removing divots when taking practice swings or by hitting the head of a club into the ground, whether in anger or for any other reason.
~ Players should ensure that no damage is done to the putting green when putting down bags or the flagstick.
~ In order to avoid damaging the hole, players and caddies should not stand too close to the hole and should take care during the handling of the flagstick and the removal of a ball from the hole. The head of a club should not be used to remove a ball from the hole.
~ Players should not lean on their clubs when on the putting green, particularly when removing the ball from the hole.
~ The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before players leave the putting green.
~ Local notices regulating the movement of golf carts should be strictly observed.

Being ready to hit when it's you're turn will help the pace of play for your group and everyone else on the course.

Pay close attention to the course rules for golf cart operation - for your own safety and the safety of others.

Stand still and refrain from talking when others are teeing off.

Errant shot? Be sure to shout a warning using the traditional word: "Fore!"

Be supportive and thank your playing partners for joining you!

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Photos by Rick Sharp & Kay Bagwell