About course

A typical golf course is made up of a number of elements. First, there is the clubhouse where you change, prepare for the game, usually get a bite to eat you will find a pro-shop with a resident teaching. Professional who will be able to offer you advice on your game and on the course, gives lessons.

Course will either be 18 or 9 holes long. Each hole has a ‘Par’; this is the number of shots that a professional golfer should take on that particular hole. All holes are either par-3, par-4 or par-5. A course will then have an overall ‘par’ the number of shots a professional expects to take in total. This is around 72.

Each hole has a number of elements to it. You start on a tee box a flat area with markers from where you hit your first shot. Every holes have a ‘fairway’, an area of closely mown grass from where you will want to hit your second shot. Then reach on the ‘Green’, the manicured and smooth area of very short grass with a hole cut onto it. You only use your putter on the green. Fairway may have ‘Bunker’ on them area filled with sand, designed as traps to gather your ball and make life awkward.

Basics

Play the ball as it lies
Play the course as you find it
And finally, if in doubt, do what is fair

GOLF ETIQUETTES

Golf is such pleasant experience free of the outward aggression prevalent in other sports because there is a strict code of conduct – etiquette. It is etiquette that makes players call penalties on themselves; etiquette keeps the game safe and ensures that you behave reasonably towards your opponent. Here are the basic rules of etiquette that you need to adhere to on the course.

1. Never make noise while another golfer is playing. Keep perfectly still and do not stand directly behind them, whether you are on the green, fairway or tee.

2. Play quickly - Do not hold up the group behind and keep in touch with the group in front. Take as long as you need over a shot, but walk briskly thing about golf. Let groups behind you play through it you are holding them up.

3. Repair divots, Pitch marks and rake bunkers once you’ve been in them.

4. Never leave your bag on a green or tee-box. When on the green it is best to leave bags near the next tee to save time.

5. Many course have a dress-code so be wary of this when turning up to a new place. It is best to dress smartly when playing. As it is a disciplined game.

6. Always play safely.