Most important Etiquette for Young golfers?

[mtiger10]

For several years, I've done an after-school golf club for 3rd-5th graders here at my school (I'm an elem school counselor). We introduce putting/chipping here at school and take them to a local course for full swing stuff with a golf pro. We try to incorporate etiquette into the club activities as well. What are the most important pieces of golf etiquette that you think I should share with them?

[QEight]

Safety, care of the course, pace.

[Ferguson]

Being quiet

Being respectful of others.

Being honest

Being polite and courteous

Waiting your turn

[jlbos83]

The ones that came to my mind were being reasonably quiet, and reasonably still when others are hitting. Ferguson's list is a good one. I say reasonably quiet, as I don't want to discourage them from asking enough questions to learn. Since it sounds like you are not talking about actually being n the course yet, that seems reasonable. I would want to encourage them to ask "why", even to the etiquette "rules". Rules with a reason are a lot easier for kids to understand than "because it's the way it is"!

[JerseyBoy]

All of the above and if you aren't swinging at a ball, the head of the club should stay on the ground.

 

Nothing like that errant "light saber" thwacking someone in the head...

[taporsnap17]

Don't be a d bag/a hole/whatever term you prefer. Everything filters from there. If you're polite you're more likely to look after the course.

 

I'd rather play with someone that's slow and nice over 4 odd hours and polite than the rocket who's a absolute ***** over 2 hours. If my partner is slow and nice and don't mind, I just wave people through and the problem is easily solved.

[puttingmatt]

Replace and repair divots,

Always be courteous.

[mtiger10]

They actually do a good job of being quiet but teaching pace is a challenge. Simple things like keeping a tee in your pocket, using a ball marker, and being ready when it's your turn is tough to convey.

[rawdog]

They actually do a good job of being quiet but teaching pace is a challenge. Simple things like keeping a tee in your pocket, using a ball marker, and being ready when it's your turn is tough to convey.

 

I was investment banking intern right out of college... rules were to always carry a notepad, pen and calculator.

 

It was embarrassing when we weren't prepared.

 

Just give them some good natured ribbing.

[cmagnusson]

Most important thing: do not at all teach them the etiquette that we were taught. Golf is way too damn stuffy and if you try to get kids of this generation to staunchly follow the manners of the past they will absolutely quit. Teach them to have fun, but in a respectful way.

 

Bring a speaker, but don't crank it too loud

Talk and joke, but don't start a sentence during a backswing (IMO: if you need absolute silence to hit a shot, you need to see a sports psychologist)

Treat the grass with respect

 

 

And for the love of god, no f***ing sunflower seeds on the green.

[JerseyBoy]

Most important thing: do not at all teach them the etiquette that we were taught. Golf is way too damn stuffy and if you try to get kids of this generation to staunchly follow the manners of the past they will absolutely quit. Teach them to have fun, but in a respectful way.

 

Etiquette is about "teaching them to have fun, but in a respect way".

 

What etiquette do you consider "way too damn stuffy"?

 

I'm all for teaching the new generation to enjoy the game, but part of that is also honoring the traditions of the past as well.

[Hawkeye77]

I'd tell them first if they are on golfwrx not to have a garish signature with the hackers paradise all over the place. ;-)

 

Beyond that who knows where just plain good manners/etiquette/knowledge of and respect for the game/rules collide.

[mtiger10]

Been using the Tapatalk app so couldn't see that sig, thanks for heads up, deleted.

[Mcgeeno]

I found a lot of the etiquette came organically as cheesy as that sounds...

 

Sure I learned to fix pitch marks and keep up pace etc but the best lessons:

 

I remember hitting into a group of members as a young teen who was getting stronger and better. I learned by getting yelled at and making a bad decision not to do that ever again. I could have injured someone and think about that all the time. Just wait an extra minute.

 

I learned not to get angry and slam a putter on the green after I was suspended two weeks by the owner for getting caught acting like a jerk. That was embarrassing and I remember the dissapointment in my dads eyes when he picked me up. One moment of ill considered action during a temper tantrum and it led to a quiet ride home and an awkward couple weeks. I never did that again though.

 

I learned not to talk during someones swing or not to move on the tee box because I made those mistakes and learned from them.

 

Golf is so good for kids. They learn how to respect their elders, respect rules, honesty and integrity when nobody is watching.

 

Its such a great game and I definitely wasnt a perfect kid but it sure helped shaped me into a better adult.

[Hawkeye77]

Been using the Tapatalk app so couldn't see that sig, thanks for heads up, deleted.

 

Just joshin'

[jslane57]

One course I worked at had the maintenance facility close to the pro-shop. It was always great to take a little bit of time and introduce the kids to each type of mower, and all that goes into maintaining the course. I think this gave them a little more respect for the grounds. I think if you've got respect for the grounds, respect for the game, and respect for each other, the rest kind of falls into place. Kudos to you OP for taking on this club.

[Matt J]

Generally being respectful to each other and the facility. The finer details will come with time. If they begin to get the ethos you have done your job.

[KCCO]

Fix ball marks and any other spots you can repair without slowing down play

[Ri_Redneck]

Pick their feet up while walking on the green. NEVER pivot when turning on the green. I see the remains of doing this all the time. Tee boxes too.

 

BT

[jlbos83]

Most important thing: do not at all teach them the etiquette that we were taught. Golf is way too damn stuffy and if you try to get kids of this generation to staunchly follow the manners of the past they will absolutely quit. Teach them to have fun, but in a respectful way.

 

Bring a speaker, but don't crank it too loud

Talk and joke, but don't start a sentence during a backswing (IMO: if you need absolute silence to hit a shot, you need to see a sports psychologist)

Treat the grass with respect

 

 

And for the love of god, no f***ing sunflower seeds on the green.

Why, oh why, is the green the only place they can spit their sunflower seeds? (OK, they are probably all over, and we can't see them, but we are not trying to grow sunflowers on the green!

 

I may be stuffy! I would like to listen to music while I play, but... whenever I hear music on the course, even if it isn't really that loud, it seems to be too loud. Especially if I had mine on as well, and they were competing. I imagine a lot of folks out there would not want to listen to what I would like, I know I don't like what many of them seem to like. I have used earbuds, playing by myself. But I would not do it playing with others!

[chippa13]

And here we go.

[Hawkeye77]

Generally being respectful to each other and the facility. The finer details will come with time. If they begin to get the ethos you have done your job.

 

A fun experience with foundation of respect breeds a lifetime of being receptive to learning Golf's traditions, etc.

 

If kids are on a path to respect each other/course/rules and want to keep an honest accounting of their strokes they are getting it.

[ArtMBgolf]

Quiet, still, course repair, honesty in counting strokes.

 

Pace is important, but I don't think you can teach much about pace until you are taking them to the course.

[Bingo1976]

1. Safety

2. Respect for FCs (noise/honesty/where to stand etc)

3. Respect for the course

4. Pace of Play

[Smash Factors]

1. Be quiet and stand still while others are making their stroke.

 

2. Stand in the right spot when someone is hitting the driver.

 

Just so you know, in junior golf they teach kids to stand outside the box so that they are facing the person hitting their drive (face to face). You are not supposed to stand behind someone (to the right of the golfer) or directly behind the golfer facing their back. You can also tell them to just stay on the cart path. What you want to avoid is kids standing in various places on the tee box. It's mostly for safety reasons but also to not annoy or disturb the golfer.

 

3. Repair your divots

 

4. Rake your traps

 

5. Repair your ball marks

 

6. Don't walk on anyones putting line

[TollBros]

Be quiet and still when others are hitting. And be ready to hit when it's your turn. Those are the two most important. In other words don't be disruptive and keep a proper pace.

[BB28403]

They actually do a good job of being quiet but teaching pace is a challenge. Simple things like keeping a tee in your pocket, using a ball marker, and being ready when it's your turn is tough to convey.

 

They are kids, Cmon, just make it fun.

Don't be a Fuddy Duddy. You have already climbed Everest by getting them to put down their phones.

[Merkury10]

Integrity

[KCCO]

Fix ball marks on green, and wait for last person to tee off before walking to cart or moving on.

[om18v]

Fix ball marks on greens, rake bunkers...........and no jeans lol