A detailed instructional manual, revised in March 2013, serves as a foundational resource for golf etiquette and best practices on the course. The guide aims to foster an environment that enhances player enjoyment, preserves course conditions, and ensures safety across the region’s golf facilities, including those in Myrtle Beach.
The manual begins with recommendations for appropriate attire, advising players to verify specific dress codes with their chosen course in advance. Generally, collared shirts and slacks are considered suitable, while items such as jeans, tank tops, short shorts, and T-shirts are typically discouraged. Footwear guidelines are also often specified, emphasizing golf-appropriate shoes.
Cell phone policies can differ significantly from one course to another. Where mobile devices are permitted on the course, the manual suggests keeping them on vibrate mode to minimize disruption to other players and the overall golfing experience.
During play, maintaining proper conduct is paramount. Golfers are instructed to remain motionless and quiet when others are making a stroke, demonstrating respect for their concentration. The guide emphasizes the importance of composure, discouraging abusive behavior and foul language. Players are also advised to keep their group within a reasonable distance—ideally, within one shot—of the group ahead to maintain a steady flow of play.
Pace of play is a critical component of golf etiquette, directly impacting the enjoyment of all participants. Most 18-hole courses are designed to be completed by a foursome in four hours or less, provided groups maintain an appropriate pace. The manual stresses that groups falling behind should proactively invite following groups to play through, preventing bottlenecks and frustration. To aid in this, practices like playing “ready golf” (hitting when ready, rather than strictly adhering to farthest-out first) and limiting practice swings are encouraged. If a ball is potentially out of bounds or lost outside a water hazard, players are advised to hit a provisional ball to save time. A search for a lost ball should be abandoned after five minutes.
Safety guidelines are clearly articulated to prevent accidents. Golfers must ensure that no one is within range of a club swing before taking a shot. It is also crucial to wait until players ahead are well out of range before hitting a ball. In instances where a ball in motion might strike someone, the manual mandates shouting “FORE!” loudly and clearly to alert those in potential danger.
Course maintenance is presented as a shared responsibility. Players are directed to replace divots, rake bunkers to smooth footprints and club marks, and repair ball marks on the greens. Avoiding damage to greens and holes, particularly around the cup, is also highlighted. Adherence to specific cart policies, such as the 90-degree rule (where carts must stay on paths until perpendicular to their ball, then drive straight to it) or cart-path-only restrictions, is essential for protecting the turf. When carts are restricted to paths, players should take multiple clubs to their ball to avoid unnecessary trips back to the cart.
The manual also provides definitions for common golf course terms, ensuring a shared understanding among players. Key terms include:
* Bunker: A hazard consisting of a prepared area of ground, often a hollow, from which turf or soil has been removed and replaced with sand or the like.
* Casual Water: Any temporary accumulation of water on the course that is not in a water hazard and is visible before or after the player takes a stance.
* Ground Under Repair: Any part of the course so marked by an authorized committee or local rule, or any hole made by a greenkeeper, whether marked or not.
* Line of Putt: The line that the ball is expected to take after a stroke on the putting green.
* Out of Bounds: Ground from which play is prohibited, typically marked by white stakes or fences.
* Putting Green: The area of the hole being played that is specially prepared for putting, or otherwise defined as such.
* Stroke: The forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking and moving the ball.
* Teeing Ground: The starting place for the hole to be played, a rectangular area two club-lengths deep.
* Through the Green: The whole area of the course except the teeing ground and putting green of the hole being played, and all hazards.
Other general practices include arriving early enough to prepare for a round, typically allowing five to 15 minutes for tee preparation, and leaving the green promptly after completing a hole to allow the next group to play.
Why it matters in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach is renowned globally as a premier golf destination, with its golf courses serving as a cornerstone of the region’s primary Leisure and Hospitality industry. The consistent application of golf etiquette, as outlined in this manual, directly contributes to the Grand Strand’s reputation for quality courses and enjoyable play. When golfers adhere to standards of pace, safety, and course care, it ensures that the experience remains positive for both visitors and local residents, encouraging repeat tourism and supporting the thousands of jobs tied to the golf economy. Maintaining pristine course conditions and a respectful playing environment is vital for the continued economic health of Myrtle Beach and its surrounding communities, impacting everything from local businesses to the overall quality of life for those who live and work here.
