What 'Golf Etiquette' Actually Means

This week I learned that golf has more unwritten rules than a Korean family dinner. And I broke approximately all of them.

The Incident

Coach Park took me to a real putting green for the first time. Not the driving range — an actual green at the course next door. I was so excited I practically ran onto it.

That was mistake #1. Apparently you don’t run on a green. You walk. Gently. Like the grass is a sleeping baby.

Mistake #2: I walked right across another player’s putting line. The invisible line between their ball and the hole. The guy didn’t say anything but he did this thing with his jaw that communicated everything. Coach Park grabbed my arm and whispered, “Never walk between someone’s ball and the hole.”

I wanted to disappear.

The Rules Nobody Tells You

After embarrassing myself on the green, Coach Park sat me down and gave me the etiquette talk. Here’s what I learned:

Fix your divots. When you hit the ground and a chunk of grass flies out (which happens a LOT when you’re a beginner), you’re supposed to put it back. Like, pick up the grass chunk, place it back in the hole, and press it down with your foot. I had no idea.

Rake the bunker. If your ball goes into a sand trap (bunker) and you step in to hit it, you have to rake the sand smooth after. There’s literally a rake right there for this purpose. I thought it was decorative.

Don’t talk during someone’s swing. This seems obvious but I’m a nervous talker. When it’s quiet, I fill the silence. On a golf course, the silence is intentional.

Yell “FORE!” If your ball goes toward other people, you shout “FORE!” as loud as you can. It’s a warning. I asked Coach Park what happens if you don’t yell it. He said, “Then you’re paying someone’s dental bill.”

Keep pace. Don’t take forever on each shot. If you’re slow and the group behind you is waiting, let them play through. This is a big deal apparently.

My Takeaway

Golf etiquette is basically: respect the course, respect other players, and don’t be the person everyone is silently annoyed at. It’s like any social situation — just be aware that other people exist.

I made a note in my phone of all the rules. I’ll probably still mess up but at least now I’ll know WHAT I’m messing up.

Practice Update

On the actual golf front: my 7-iron is getting more consistent. I’m hitting about 80 yards on good shots, which Coach Park says is perfectly normal for week 2. I’m starting to feel a rhythm. Not on every swing, but enough that I can tell the difference between a “felt good” swing and a “that was garbage” swing. Progress.

Next week: Coach Park is introducing me to a pitching wedge. Apparently it’s for shorter shots near the green. More clubs, more confusion, more opportunities to embarrass myself. Can’t wait.