Dealing with poor etiquette during a round

nocal · 11-06-2012 06:32PM #1

In the etiquette section of the Rules of Golf it states the following:

"No Disturbance or Distraction
You should always show consideration for other players on the course and take care not to not disturb their play by moving, talking or making unnecessary noise.

You should also ensure that any electronic devices taken onto the course don't distract other players.

Only tee your ball up when it's your turn to play and remember not to stand close to the ball, directly behind it, or directly behind the hole, when a player is about to swing."

I would say that I am pretty good at following the above - but regularly come off the course fuming because I feel that others that I am playing with do not. Especially those who seem to think that it is fine for them to chat whilst I am addressing the ball. For full length shots it is not so bad - there is a good chance I'll hit a good shot. For the short game and putting it always leads to very poor results as I think the concentration factor is vital for these.

So have you come across the same? And what is the most effective way of dealing with it?

I know of some individuals who will chat more if asked not to - should I just hand them the rules of golf and get them to read that section? I would also be conscious of the fact that if they think I am nagging them or giving out to them then they are likely to think that they are not going to play with narky me again.

Finally I am aware that some posters are likely to say something along the lines of "stop whinging and get on with it". I will gladly play a round of boo golf with them and review the experience afterwards.

stockdam · 11-06-2012 06:55PM

Are these people friends of yours?

On one hand you say that the noise annoys you but on the other hand you don't want to come across as narky. Well it's up to you to decide.

If it's just a casual game of golf then maybe you'll just have to learn to cope with it. You need to learn to shut it out and concentrate on what you are doing. If you can't do that then you'll have to decide what is more important to you. The occasional "come on guys, a bit of hush please" may work but if not then you either find new playing partners or lump it. You can't really stop people making noise and if they don't have the gumption to shut up then you should play with somebody else.

Dr.Silly · 11-06-2012 07:10PM

This is extremely easy in my opinion.
Lads, shut it .. plain and simple ... especially in a competition .. otherwise...round of golf with the lads for the craic .. get on with it ...

Borisss · 11-06-2012 07:23PM

Pure silence probably puts me off more if I'm honest.

I guess everyone requires different things to get locked in.

One thing that does irk me though is people standing too close directly behind me. Will always ask them politely to get out of my eyeline.

chalkie 501 · 11-06-2012 07:25PM

Have to agree with the lads here,its a problem thats easy to resolve,
as already suggested dont play with these people again or if they are friends of yours it shouldnt be difficult to tell them to cop on while your taking a shot.
I played a bit with a few of my mates when they had just taken up the game a few years back and they genuinely knew nothing about etiquette,they would talk aloud and laugh and just act like they would anywhere,i told them they would have to tone it down a bit on the course and just to be quiet while somebody was taking their shot

nocal · 11-06-2012 07:25PM

I am talking about in competitions. As it is only my 3rd year playing I would regularly be playing with guys who know each other well and so they tend to yap away. Worst case yet was yesterday when my aul lad decided that he was going to yap away with the other guy.

Any tips for re-focussing once the concentration has been taken away from the task in hand? Especially over putts - that is what ruined me yesterday. By the time I walked away from a putt and re-set my confidence was gone for the day. 3 putted all but one of the remaining greens and none of them were 3 putt range. I 2 putted the last green by talking out loud to myself as I hit the second putt. But even then the ball did a 360 before dropping.

nocal · 11-06-2012 07:27PM

chalkie 501 wrote: »

Have to agree with the lads here,its a problem thats easy to resolve,
as already suggested dont play with these people again or if they are friends of yours it shouldnt be difficult to tell them to cop on while your taking a shot.
I played a bit with a few of my mates when they had just taken up the game a few years back and they genuinely knew nothing about etiquette,they would talk aloud and laugh and just act like they would anywhere,i told them they would have to tone it down a bit on the course and just to be quiet while somebody was taking their shot

I find guys who are not aware of good etiquette are easier to deal with - they tend to appreciate the advice and are fine with it. The "I know better than you sonny brigade" seem to always be offended if anything is said.

stockdam · 11-06-2012 07:39PM

Well if it annoys you then address your ball and if somebody starts talking then just walk away and lean on your club/putter until they stop. They'll eventually ask why you aren't taking your shot - just say you are waiting for them to be quiet. They'll soon get fed up with your slow play.

Dr_Colossus · 11-06-2012 08:00PM

Or after you've taken a shot walk up to them and apologise profusely for having interrupted their chat with your shot.

nocal · 11-06-2012 08:04PM

thanks for the replies lads - I guess it is kind of one of those situations where I needed to hear others say "Tell them to shut it".

Dr_Colossus - love your post.

I also should have asked if people on here find this to be a common problem?

golfnut1 · 11-06-2012 09:39PM

Jack nicklaus in his early days told his father that he felt uncomfortable when he saw him behind the ropes. His father told him "get use to it". Point is in golf there is always something to put you off or make you uncomfortable. Sometimes it's noise other times its weather, crowds watching you or pressure of playing for your club. Bottom line is it will make you a better player if you don't let things bother you.
You could as others say not play with them or ask them to shutty but you will run into this situation again so as a more comprehensive solution I would say get use to it and don't let it or any outside factors effect you in the least.

stockdam · 11-06-2012 10:35PM

nocal wrote: »

I also should have asked if people on here find this to be a common problem?

Not for me. I was brought up playing golf as a juvenile and "we" used to do lots of weird things to try to put each other off. I can talk through my own shots like Trevino did and I can block out almost anything.........the only thing that gets me is a "gotcha" (being goosed by a golf club).

Constant noise in the background is much easier to cope with than a sudden noise. I can't see any reason why background noise should affect a golfer any more than a snooker player or darts player (I mean a pub player).

Having said that I always show respect by being quiet etc. when others are playing.

ForeRight · 12-06-2012 06:30AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcB_9GOxmtk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

TheDoc · 12-06-2012 07:44AM

If I'm in a casual game or with the fellas, don't really mind it. Although in fairness they play enough golf to know about proper conduct so it normally doesn't happen.

Few instances, most notibly since returning of players just have piss poor consideration when its not their shot.

Russling in their pockets while I'm putting or off the tee.
Walking by clanking their bag or squeeking their trolley while im over an iron
Or standing directly behind the hole while I'm on a putt, or moving and practicing their stroke in my eyeline, while I'm putting.

I just take it as a bit of a blonde moment from people. I dont get narky , I typically just step away and usually they realise and settle, even apologising and its fine, everyone draws a blank every now and again.

But if its consistently happening I've no problem asking do they mind stopping or whatever required. If someone is constantly doing it, then they see it as not an issue and just need a quiet word, its how we all learn.

For example I remember a fella pulling me aside just asking that when I'm doing my practice stroke to make sure its out of his eye sight, a it was a bit distracting, that was when I was about twelve, but it was a lesson learned and just always find myself away from the player whose in action around the greens.

The worst are the players who are long enough in the game to know they shouldnt do it, but just do it. I'd a match play there a few weeks back and your man was well cute, he knew well what he was doing and thankfully I've played enough competitive events not to let myself get annoyed or distracted.

But the ruslting, dropping the club by "accident" dropping the flag, placing the flag in a distracting view on a putt and the likes...

Its a poor way to play the game to try get a little advantage : /

slave1 · 12-06-2012 08:15AM

I play with lots of guys, some are very quiet and some are not, the way I look at it is I just get on with it, so if I'm teeing off or whatever and lads are chatting I just go ahead and get the whole "their fault" out of my head if I hit a bad shot. If I'm well away from a playing partner and not interrupting their shot I also line up and take my practice swing so quite often I take my shot as soon as I hear their contact, often having two balls in the air.
If we want absolute quiet then it just takes too long, if you're concentrating on your stance, weight, ball position, line, distance etc then there's fek all left to overload your brain.
But I do get your point....so personally I'm totally quiet and stand still if anywhere near a partner.

nocal · 12-06-2012 05:16PM

I guess the reason I rarely say anything in these situations is because I am trying to get used to it. Thus by the time I come round to say anything I am probably not in the best mood to be saying something.
I would also say that my concentration levels were probably not quite fully there on Sunday last so the jibber-jabber was enough of a distraction to put me off.

Stockdam you say "I can talk through my own shots like Trevino did and I can block out almost anything". Do you talk out loud through the shots or is it an internal conversation?

I try not to think of too much on any of my shots - I trust that my grip, set-up etc. is ok or as good as it is going to be for that shot. Then I just try to be aware of the club-face during the stroke. Again - I am probably not doing this enough - especially on putts.

But all of the replies are much appreciated.

And much as I have been tempted to stop taking my stroke and lean on my club - I refuse to lower myself to "their" level.

12-06-2012 05:30PM

I remember missing an important putt once. A mouse farted and caused me to miss a 2 footer to win a match.

stockdam · 12-06-2012 05:47PM

nocal wrote: »

Stockdam you say "I can talk through my own shots like Trevino did and I can block out almost anything". Do you talk out loud through the shots or is it an internal conversation?

I mean that I can have a conversation with somebody but still hit my shot. It's not something that I do except on very rare occasions. Somebody will ask me a question and I'll answer them whilst hitting a drive. I first saw an old pro do it when giving me a lesson. He would put a ball down and talk to me whilst hitting perfect shots.

I had the pleasure of talking to Lee Trevino during the Open for a couple of minutes. He kept on talking as he hit a drive. He asked what sort of shot I wanted and then gabbled on as he hit a low shot into the wind. Noise didn't seem to worry him as he didn't give it room to affect him.

stockdam · 12-06-2012 05:50PM

When your partners are playing their shots then pull out your Dom Jolly.......

stringy · 12-06-2012 05:55PM

I normally have to wait until the birds stop chirping until I hit my shot.

Nozebleed · 12-06-2012 07:24PM

the guy im playing with will look for lost golf balls whenever his own ball goes out of bounds..when asked to just get on with it..he refuses to play until he either finds his or someone else ball. he also looks for balls without a club in hand..it drives me bleedin mental..mental altogether.

heavyballs · 12-06-2012 07:32PM

Borisss wrote: »

Pure silence probably puts me off more if I'm honest.

I guess everyone requires different things to get locked in.

One thing that does irk me though is people standing too close directly behind me. Will always ask them politely to get out of my eyeline.

I also hate this ,I'm always thinking is my alignment all over the place etc as I hit the shot

soap1978 · 12-06-2012 07:39PM

r u tiger woods,my god its a game of golf with friends just enjoyed it and have a bit of craic,i say u r fun to be around on a night out.

heavyballs · 12-06-2012 08:00PM

soap1978 wrote: »

r u tiger woods,my god its a game of golf with friends just enjoyed it and have a bit of craic,i say u r fun to be around on a night out.

Troll much?????

Quahog217 · 12-06-2012 09:03PM

This drives me mad. Playing the captains prize sunday, step up to hit my drive down the 10th and this simpleton keeps rambling on about something, i was waiting about 10 seconds to pull the trigger.

He also shouted across a fairway at the top of my backswing on the 9th.

Its so ignorant, drives me crazy.

slave1 · 13-06-2012 03:44AM

Actually, although it doesn't put me off I really don't like mobiles on the course, lads taking and making calls when walking up the fairway or texting and then reaching their ball and taking another minute or two to finish the call.
I see mobile's barred from many courses but never yet witnessed it being enforced and it is slowing the game down.

PARlance · 13-06-2012 01:14PM

Don't know if this is too far off topic mods?

What are peoples thoughts with regards talking at the driving range?
Do you expect the same etiquette (in terms of noise levels) as on the course or are you tolerance levels the same?

I was up at the range last week, and there was two lads having a great auld chat, if there drives carried as far as their voices they'd be laughing.

Initially, it put me off, but as the minutes passed I realized that one of the lads was just starting out and his friend was giving him instructions...the instructions were mixed with quiet (reverse pun intended) a lot of chatter but overall I accepted that the range is probably a place that you should expect this?

TheDoc · 14-06-2012 05:51AM

ajcurry123 wrote: »

Don't know if this is too far off topic mods?

What are peoples thoughts with regards talking at the driving range?
Do you expect the same etiquette (in terms of noise levels) as on the course or are you tolerance levels the same?

I was up at the range last week, and there was two lads having a great auld chat, if there drives carried as far as their voices they'd be laughing.

Initially, it put me off, but as the minutes passed I realized that one of the lads was just starting out and his friend was giving him instructions...the instructions were mixed with quiet (reverse pun intended) a lot of chatter but overall I accepted that the range is probably a place that you should expect this?

Correct,

alot of people will hit the range with a friend. Could be lads who head out after work and its a social meetup, or it could be guys that are giving lessons or helping each others game out.

Have to say it doesnt bother me, although the times I hit the range its usually quiet, but if you go out and there is a few people there, then its going to happen.

Considering the design of most ranges the ball striking will echo the whole way down anyway, so its not the sort of place you will hear silence, but its not to be expected either

Dealing with poor etiquette during a round

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