V Conclusion – easy to learn basic concepts
A. Golf is a game of history, tradition and respect
1. Respect for the game
2. Respect for the course
B. Rise in popularity does not mean rules and etiquette should be dismissed
C. All golfers have a right to enjoy the round
D. Taking the time to understand the basics equates for a more enjoyable round
for all golfers
Golf is a game of history, tradition and respect. Anyone who plays the game of golf will need to follow the rules and etiquette on the golf course. The popularity of golf has increased dramatically over the last several years. Golf was once known as a game for the wealthy, it is now readily available for everyone to enjoy. The new found availability has led to a decrease in the historical aspect of the game, primarily knowing the rules of the game, including golf etiquette.
Statistics from the American Junior Golf Association show that 13.2 million people play golf each year in the United States alone. Participants play at more than 20,000 golf courses on land valued at more than 4.5 billion dollars (Dell, 2004). The boom of new golfers has led to a decline in the rules and etiquette of golf. Palmer (2002) states. “Golf always has been, and hopefully will remain a gentleman’s game (p. 4). Understanding the rules should be easy, there are only thirty-four rules in the game. This is less than almost every other sport, including baseball, basketball, football, soccer, rugby and cricket (Palmer, 2002). There are no restrictions to view or access the rulebook. Thousand of rounds are played everyday at both public and private courses, without the benefit of judges, officials, referee’s or umpires. Golfers are their own umpires, self-policing and regularly calling rule infractions on themselves. In one public incident on television, Ian Woosnam called a penalty on himself because he had 15 clubs in his bag (Palmer, 2002). Rule 4-4 allows a maximum of 14 clubs. Why did Ian Woosnam’s caddie tell his boss about the 15th club in the bag? Because it would never occur to him to do anything else. The integrity of the game is more important than any single tournament or any one player, and everyone that plays the game should do so under that same code of honor (Palmer, 2002).
I have over seven years experience working on golf courses. I have taken on many responsibilities from working inside the pro-shop, to the maintenance of the course itself. In my experience form working on golf courses, and playing golf, the average golfer does not believe they should be held to the same standards as professional golfers. The average golfer believes they are paying for a service, not competing to win a tournament. The price of a round of golf directly affects the adherence to the rules and etiquette of golf. The more expensive the round of golf is the greater the chance of stretching or breaking the rules and etiquette of golf. The popularity, appearance and difficulty of the course determine the cost. The more popular courses are typically more expensive because of the costs it takes to maintain. For example the cost of a lower end, used fairway mower can cost $7,500 (Used Turf Equipment, n.d.). The better the appearance of the course, the higher the cost is to maintain, this directly relates to the cost for the golfer. The daily rate at the Pebble Beach Golf Links in California is $395.00 per person for resort guests; add another $25.00 per person for non resort guests (Room and Golf Rates, n.d.). The average golfer, golfing at a high end golf course or local course, does not believe that breaking the rules and etiquette of golf affects the experience of golfing.
The game of golf itself has a long standing tradition. The exact origin of golf is not known. According to Chapman (1997). “We do know that by the middle of the 15th century the Scots were playing some sort of the game in Scotland. We also know that King James II of Scotland issued a decree in 1457 that “Ye fut bawe and ye golf be utterly cryt done and not usyt,” which Olive Geddens has translated as “Football and golf be utterly condemned and stopped” (p. 9). While this history dates back several centuries, golfers do not typically play the game in the interest of history, golfers play to have fun. It would be fair to state that every sport is played to have fun, not because of the history of the game.
The rules and etiquette of golf is not an easy concept to understand. There are thirty-four rules with hundreds of variations for each rule, not all of which are written in black and white. The rules are even confusing to the professionals. Arnold Palmer (2002) wrote “I’ve played competitive golf for over half a century now…..But even after all these years playing thousands of competitive rounds, I still run across new and fascinating nuances…….every so often a situation comes along that leaves me thinking, Hmm, I wonder how that is handled under the rules.” (p. 2). The participation of other recreational sports does not require an understanding of the rules. The average golfer does not believe they need to have a complete understanding of the rules and etiquette of golf.
As stated earlier, the cost of a round of golf has increased. According to the National Golf Association, the price of a round of golf has increased by 5.3% nationwide from 2003. (Core Golfers, n.d.). With the increased price of golf everyone should have a basic understanding of the rules and etiquette, regardless of the price of the round. Several courses have created new local rules that do not allow beginning golfers. As a result several other courses have changed their marketing to welcome beginners, offering lower prices, and often clinics on how to play and understanding the rules and etiquette. Make no mistake; golf courses like any other business, are open to make money and profits. With 13.2 million people playing golf in the United States, it is each person’s responsibility to understand the rules and etiquette of golf. All golfers pay the same price to play the game. No one individual has the right to affect other golfers, regardless of the price of the round.
The tradition of golf does not mean that golfers should conduct in depth research and be able to pass a test or certification before playing a round. The tradition of golf means that all golfers should have at least a basic understanding of the rules and etiquette out of respect. Respecting the course and the other players is not an option, it is a necessity. Owen (1997) states “Good golf entails some housekeeping, Try to leave the course better than you found it.” (p. 172). Everyone can think of a time when someone else’s disrespect infringed on his or her situation. For example, someone in a restaurant sitting at a table talking loudly on a cellular telephone, the person seems oblivious that their own actions are disruptive other people in the area. Now take that concept to the golf course. Realize that your actions can affect people in your group, as well as golfers nearby.
Understanding the intricacies of the game can be confusing. One way to adapt to the understanding of the rules is to purchase a copy of the rule book. Read through the main rules and have at least a high level understanding of the thirty four rules. It’s amazing how many arm chair athletes can make rulings when watching a sport on television. Anyone that is going to take the time to play a sport should at least have a basic understanding of the rules. If the purchase of a rule book is out of the question, log onto the USGA or PGA websites. The USGA site dedicates a portion to the rules and to simple etiquette. The amount of time it would take to review the information is minimal compared to the amount of time it takes to play a round of golf. Everyone that plays the game of golf needs to have at least a basic understanding of the rules and etiquette of golf.
Golf is a game of history, tradition and respect. The rise and popularity of current PGA professionals does not mean the basic understanding of the rules and etiquette should go unpracticed. The amount of money that is spent to play at high end resorts or local courses does not give a golfer the right to infringe on the rights of others. A basic understanding of the rules and etiquette is not a difficult concept. The information is available on-line, at a local library and even at local golf courses. By taking the time to understand the rules and etiquette and it will make for a more enjoyable round for all golfers.
Bibliography
Palmer, A. (2002). Playing by the rules. New York: Pocket Books
Chapman, C. (1997). The rules of the green, a history of the rules of golf.
Illinois: Triumph Books.
Owen, D. (1997, December). Golf Digest Basics: Etiquette.
Golf Digest, 172.
Dell, J. (2004) Future Stars: Top junior golfers coming to forest oaks.
Retrieved July 10, 2004, from http://www.ajga.org/Media_Center/Clips/Artical.asp?AID=1161&ss=million
Used Turf Equipment – Golf Course Mowers. (n.d.) Retrieved July 10, 2004, from
http://www.lawnandturf.com/Fairways.htm
Room and Golf Rates. (n.d.) Retrieved July 10, 2004, from http://www.pebblebeach.com/page.asp?pageName=_golf
Core Golfers Gain Ground in 2003. (n.d.) Retrieved July 11, 2004, from
http://www.ngf.org/cgi/whonews.asp?storyid=149
http://www.usga.com
http://www.pga.com
The American Legion Golf Course, Marshalltown IA
Sioux City Golf and Country Club, Sioux City IA
