Photo courtesy of Folsom Parks & Recreation.

 “As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.”—Ben Hogan

Rules of the Game: Golf Etiquette 101

1. Safety always comes first! Swing when safe, yell “FORE!” for wayward shots, and don’t drive carts recklessly.
2. Be quiet when others are swinging.
3. Keep your music to a level your cart can hear, not the entire golf course.
4. Take care of the course; replace divots with sand and seed preferably, repair your ball marks on greens, rake bunkers after use.
5. Show up at least 15 minutes before your tee time.
6. Check the dress code before you go. No jeans and collared shirts are the norm for most upscale courses and country clubs.
7. Watch your alcohol consumption.
8. Keep pace of play with the group ahead. Slow play can back up the whole course.
9. Don’t shoot the course record if the host pro has it. I ask, “Where is the first tee, what is the course record, and who owns it?” If the host pro has it, I don’t want to take it from him—he must represent that course.
10. Try to have fun, since this is the most frustrating sport ever. Don’t let it get the best of you—it’s only a game!

—Submitted by Shawn Kelly, Head Golf Professional at The Ridge Golf Course & Event Center, 2020 Golf Course Road, Auburn, 530-888-7888, ridgegc.com