Tiger Woods at the 2022 Masters. | Getty Images
Golf is a frustrating and agonizing game. But to make it a more enjoyable experience for everyone, golfers must avoid these 10 mistakes.
With October in full swing, now is an excellent time to play golf in all 50 states. Playing in the month of autumn is often the best time of the year to do so, whether you are in New England, South Florida, or California. The weather is cooler, and the foliage—in some locales—is undefeated. So, after revisiting the 10 things all golfers should do during a round, we want to list 10 mistakes all golfers should avoid every time they play:
10. Never leave your cart in front of green; always towards back or near next tee
You should park your cart at the closest point between the green and the next tee. That point should also be in the back of the green, so you are not walking towards the fairway you just played, further delaying the group behind you. Cart etiquette is important, but so is using common sense.
9. Speaking of carts, keep them 30 feet away from greens and tees
You should never bring your cart close to the green unless you have a medical condition forbidding you from walking a considerable distance.
The same can be said for teeing areas.
8. No need to take more than three practice swings
The pace of play on a course is important. And no, you are not on the PGA Tour. So do not take more than three practice swings and waste everyone’s time, including yours.
I usually take two to get in a rhythm, then swing away.
7. Don’t arrive less than 20 minutes before tee time
Scrambling to the first tee in a dizzying hurry is terrible, but it angers the pro shop staff, too. Be there on time so you can ease into your round and have a proper warmup.
6. Don’t skip out on the putting green beforehand
You will have more strokes on the green than anywhere else. It’s essential to get the speed of the greens down beforehand so you don’t make a mess of things over the first couple of holes.
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
5. Missed ball marks damage greens
Fix your ball marks.
Fix your ball marks.
Fix your ball marks.
Nobody wants to play on damaged greens, and nobody wants a good putt disrupted by a bump.
4. Don’t place wedges/clubs in rough
Every golfer has made the mistake of leaving a club behind at some point.
If you bring your wedge or short iron to a green, put it on the green or fringe—somewhere easily visible. I usually place clubs next to the flagstick—a good reminder not to forget them, too.
3. Replace divots, fix ball marks
Treat the golf course like your own home.
Replace divots and use dirt mix if available. And always, always repair your ball marks on the greens. Fix another one, too. A course’s most valuable assets are the greens—take care of them.
2. The five-minute rule
If you need to take more than five minutes looking for a golf ball, it is clearly not in the spot you think it is—or it is buried in the rough where you would struggle to hack it out.
Take a drop and move on.
1. Don’t be too hard on yourself
It’s a frustrating game that even angers Tiger Woods, Scottie Scheffler, and Bryson DeChambeau. Have fun.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
