From: "James F. Tims" <p00168@psilink.com>
Subject: Re: Golf Etiquette Part 1/5
Organization: Semper Excelsior
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 01:48:22 GMT
X-Mailer: PSILink (3.2)

>DATE:   29 Dec 1992 19:20:27 GMT
>FROM:   Blair P. Houghton <bhoughto@sedona.intel.com>
>
>In article <2934685165.1.p00168@psilink.com> "James F. Tims" <p00168@psilink.com> writes:
>>I've tried to think of something like the bowing in karate,
>>or the touching of gloves in boxing, and I can't think of anything.
>>Maybe I'm just drawing a blank, here, but I would have to agree
>>with your observation.  Everything in  G-E that I can think of has
>>a practical basis in fair play, speed of play, or care for the course.
>
>Sorry.  "Honors."  The person who does best on the hole is
>often the last person to hole out, having hit close to the
>pin rather than in the trap or whatever.  This means the
>last person off the green is expected to be the first person
>on the next tee.  This is the slowest of all possible worlds.
>If it were a matter of speed-of-play, then teeing off would
>simply be first-come, first-served, no pushing, running, or
>talking in line.

The honor is part of rule 10, not really part of etiquette, except where
there is a "Billy Martin" of the lineup. 8^)  Whether the first to the
tee should hit first is certainly a matter of friendly agreement, and,
except in money matches or tournament play, this is usually how I 
have played the game.  In any case, I always ask before stealing someone's
honor.  Is there a practical aspect to the honors?  Yes -- choice of club 
and changes in strategy can come into play depending on the result of 
the opponent's shot.

>
>Similar with letting the away golfer hit first, even if
>he has to spend three minutes looking for and analyzing
>his lie in the bushes.
>
>"Ready Golf" isn't as polite as "Proper Golf Ettiquette,"
>but it's much more efficient.

True at times, but more frequently they are synonymous.  (When playing
among friends, etiquette can be pretty lax.)  Part of my goal
is to make more golfers aware of time-saving devices as a means of
of speeding play, and thereby being considerate,  rather than
claiming that polite golf is faster, per se, than rude golf.  Certainly,
complete disregard for the other players could get one around the golf 
course in a flash!  (But as you said, no pushing, etc. 8^)  My section
on pace of play is not so much rules of etiquette as it is suggestions on 
how to effortlessly and politely speed play.

As an example, I will mention leaving carts and bags near the
exit lanes from the hole to the next tee.  Too often, players carry their
bags right to the ball in the fringe, rather than to the appropriate
side of the green.  After playing the shot, the player must now either
carry the bag across the green (naughty), mark the ball and return to get
the bag, leave the bag and arrive late at the tee, or get the bag while
the others are trying to putt.  Of course, one can request that someone
else mark the ball, but then another delay will ensue returning
the coin, and does nothing to remedy the problem of getting the bag
to where it should have been to start with.  The etiquette having to do
with where one sets one's bag usually has nothing to do with rules, but will
slow play a lot when not done correctly.  I think thoughtless placing of
equipment wastes more time than practice swings, but that's only a guess.
(Q. Given that you carried a putter and chipping club(s) from the bag to
the ball on the far side of the green, where should one put the other
clubs during putting?  A:  On the flagstick, after it has been removed and
set aside.  Reduces green damage, prevents lost clubs (delays), assures
that the club does not interfere [provided that the flagstick does not
also interfere], keeps clubs dry when the greens are wet [speeding 
play several ways].)  I do hope my non-extemporaneous version of this will
be more readable. 8^(  

I appreciate the help.  Others are taking some pretty serious shots at me,
right now, and I hope the fire will improve the final result.  8^)

>
>				--Blair
>				  "Rule No. 2:  when in the teeing ground,
>				   don't step on my line; I may just putt..."

Reminds me of the Worst Golfer in the World (anybody remember his name?) who
hit something like 300 balls trying to hit the island 17th at (?).
He finally putted down the path for a 700 on the hole, or some such.
(Strictly a media event.)

  ,...,.,,
 /666;    ',    jim tims
////;    _~ -   p00168@psilink.com
(/@/----0-~-0
 ;'  . `` ~ \'
  , `    ' , >
;;|\..((   -C---->> Except on the greens and tees, I'm all for running!
;;| >-  `.__),;;    I HATE slow play!  (...enough mistakes for this post).