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BusinessVoice_JulyAug2016_LR
BusinessVoice_JulyAug2016_LR
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TRENDS<br />
Fairway courtesy<br />
The do’s and don’ts of golfing<br />
COURTENEY OSBORNE,<br />
CPA, CGA OFFICE MANAGER,<br />
GRANITE SPRINGS GOLF CLUB<br />
Now that summer is finally here,<br />
it’s time to enjoy some great Nova Scotia<br />
golfing. After being stuck inside for<br />
several months, golfers are now hitting<br />
the fairways across the province. As a new<br />
golfer, I was very naïve as to what good<br />
etiquette is on the golf course, so I thought<br />
I’d share a few pointers with the readers.<br />
1. ARRIVE EARLY: Arrive at least 15<br />
minutes before your scheduled tee-time.<br />
This allows you to get checked in to the<br />
pro-shop, change clothing if necessary,<br />
gather your golf cart, and stretch/warm<br />
up before your play starts. Often times,<br />
there may be a short walk to the first tee<br />
and the starter’s hut, be sure to give yourself<br />
enough time to get there.<br />
2. WAIT FOR THE ‘ALL CLEAR’: Wait until<br />
the group ahead of you is out of shot range<br />
before teeing off. If you do hit your ball<br />
towards another group, be sure to yell<br />
‘FORE’ to warn them of the incoming play.<br />
3. AVOID SLOW PLAY: If you cannot<br />
keep up with the group in front of you,<br />
or you notice a group always waiting<br />
behind you, step aside and let that group<br />
play through. This allows the speed of<br />
play on the course to remain consistent.<br />
There are marshals on most courses who<br />
will help monitor this, but use your judgement<br />
to help everyone stay happy. On<br />
a similar note, never look for a lost ball<br />
for more than five minutes. We all like<br />
to save that penalty stroke, but donning<br />
a snorkel and mask to search for a pond<br />
ball is not worth it!<br />
4. HELP MAINTAIN THE COURSE:<br />
We’ve all seen the huge divots that can<br />
be left when hitting the ball. You can<br />
help maintain the course by doing a few<br />
simple things:<br />
<br />
Replace the divot when your shot<br />
is complete.<br />
Rake the bunker (that big hole with<br />
sand) after you have taken your shot.<br />
Keep the golf cart off of soggy fair<br />
ways as wheels can get stuck. Do not<br />
follow directly behind another cart<br />
on the fairway.<br />
Repair ball marks on the green from<br />
where your ball has hit. You will<br />
mostly likely want to do this before<br />
you putt.<br />
5. GREEN PLAY: Congratulation’s…<br />
you have made it onto the green…<br />
the flag stick is in sight. Now what?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Photo: Chih Hsein Hang/123RF<br />
Don’t step in the line of other<br />
player’s putts.<br />
Do not stand where you might<br />
distract another player.<br />
If you are asked to hold the flagstick,<br />
hold it at arm’s length and attempt to<br />
not let a shadow cast on the player’s<br />
line of putt. The flagstick should be<br />
removed as soon as the player has<br />
completed their stroke.<br />
Lay the flagstick off the green so<br />
as to not damage the green.<br />
Once everyone in your group has<br />
putted, quickly walk to the next tee.<br />
6. ENJOY THE GAME: We all get<br />
frustrated from time to time, but<br />
throwing clubs, using profanity, and<br />
sulking ruin the game for everyone<br />
and can cause some awkward silence.<br />
Remember to take time and enjoy<br />
the beauty around you!<br />
BUSINESS VOICE 27