With summer officially underway across the U.S., you can play anywhere, anytime with anyone. Now that we’ve given you the 10 things every golfer should do during a round, we’d like to give you the 10 mistakes every golfer should avoid every time they play.
10. Don’t put your cart in front of the green – always put it at the back or near the next tee.
Park your cart at the closest point between the green and the next tee, which should be at the back of the green, so you don’t walk onto the fairway you just played and further delay the group behind you. Cart etiquette is important, but so is common sense.
9. Speaking of carts, keep them 30 feet away from greens and tees.
Unless you have a medical reason that prevents you from walking significant distances, keep your cart away from the greens.
The same can be said for the tea area.
8. You don’t need to take more than three practice swings.
Pace of play on the course is important, and you’re not on the PGA Tour, so don’t waste everyone’s time, including yours, by taking more than three practice swings.
I usually take two hits to get into rhythm and then swing.
7. Please arrive 20 minutes before tea time.
There’s nothing worse than rushing to the first tee in a dizzying rush, and it will also anger the pro shop staff. Start your round slowly and arrive on time so you can warm up properly.
6. Don’t skip the putting green beforehand.
The greens require more strokes than any other surface, so it’s important to get a feel for the green speed beforehand so you don’t make mistakes on the first few holes.
Photo: Michael Reeves/Getty Images
5. Missed ball marks damage the green
Please fix the ball mark.
Please fix the ball mark.
Please fix the ball mark.
No one wants to play on damaged greens, and no one wants a good putt to be thwarted by a bump.
4. Keep your wedges and clubs out of the rough
Every golfer has made the mistake of forgetting their clubs.
If you take a wedge or short iron to the green, place it somewhere visible on the green or on the fringe. I usually place my club next to the flagstick, which is also a good reminder to make sure you don’t forget your club.
3. Divot repair, ball mark correction
Treat the golf course like your home.
Repair divots, use a dirt mix if available, and be sure to repair ball marks on the greens, and repair other ball marks too. The course’s most valuable asset is the greens, so take care of them.
2. The 5-minute rule
If it takes you more than five minutes to find your golf ball, it’s obviously not where you think it is. Or, it’s buried in the rough and you’re going to have a hard time retrieving it.
Take a drop and move on.
1. Don’t be too hard on yourself
It’s a frustrating game that has even pissed off Tiger Woods, Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow For more golf articles, follow us on Twitter Jack Mirko In the same way.
