Respect your fellow golfers

Golfing etiquette is important. Here are some of the most important rules to respecting your fellow golfers:

• You hit a shocker, it happens- keep the toys in the pram. Do not swear, test the flight capabilities of your club or appeal loudly to mystical bodies. Your partners are trying to enjoy their day, even if you aren't. Losing your cool means losing the game.
• Do not scream and do a lap of honour if you play a career shot - others may be concentrating on doing the same near by.
• If your group falls more than one hole behind the group in front and there is another group behind, you must let them play through. Two-ball groups have priority on the course over all others. If you are holding them up then let them through - someone will return the favour to you one day.
• If you are looking for a lost ball you have 5 minutes to find it. If there is a group behind, wave them through while you are looking rather than hold them up.
• If you are holding up a group playing in an official club match or competition and you are not, you should let them through regardless of the situation in front.
• If you are being held up, do not hit your ball into the group in front to speed them up, even if they deserve it. Lawyers are doing well enough these days without defending your next personal liability case.
• If playing in a fourball better ball game it is usual to change the order of teeing off between you and your partner at the 10th tee.
• When playing foursomes, the non-playing partner should walk ahead in anticipation of the playing partner's shot. It is meant to be a quick game so get moving!
• After your round, shake hands with your partners, "Well played, Better luck next time, etc..", and doff your hat as you do so. It's what golf is all about.