Hot topic: TEN things that make my blood boil

Looking for balls in the rough

Receiving a course review this week from Golfmagic member Simon Harris and the miserable experience he had at Basset Down golf course near Swindon got me thinking about all the things that annoy us about golf – despite our being passionate about it.

Simon had to suffer a recent round behind a five ball, including a guy teaching a small boy to play, while a three ball behind him were pressuring them.

On a different occasion a group in front stood checking their cards on the green while balls from those following his group were fired less than ten yards behind him.

He suffered in silence and I bet he’s not alone.

Here’s a list of all TEN things that can irritate us about golf and golfers.

1. Late arrivals

We’ve all done it, held up by unforeseen circumstances. But when you’re anxious to get going and the first tee’s filling up fast having to wait for a mate to make up your usual fourball can do your head in.

*Always arrive in good time

2. Waiting for the green to clear

You can see the shot you want to play, its arc and its bounce and stop on the green. But one of the group in front is putting out for a ten and another is filling in his scorecard whilst retrieving his trolley from the front of the green. By this time you’re apoplectic!

*Clear the green and its surroundings as soon as possible if others are waiting to play. Leave your bag/trolley at the nearest exit to the next tee and fill in your card between colleagues shots on the next tee.

Take care on the tee

As you wait to tee off, the foursomes in front are dawdling down the fairway four-abreast waiting in turn for each member to play. They haven’t even reached the ball of player C that landed in the deep rough on the right.

*Always keep a good pace when walking between shots and be ready to play when it’s your turn.

4. Don’t bury your head in the rough

Why, when you think your ball may take time to find or even be lost do you wait the allowed five minutes of searching time before considering any group that may be following.

*Wave the group behind through if your ball is likely to take time to find.

5. Don’t put your foot in it

Players who step on the line of another golfer’s putt or who cast a distracting shadow across the ball or line.

*Always consider other player on the green so as not to cause any damage to the line of a putt or cast a shadow when tending the flagstick.

Beware long shadows

Golfers who waive the rules by amending the lie of the ball in the rough with a club or a foot or purposely miscount their score to achieve ‘a better’ result.

*You are equally at fault (by disqualification) if you ignore an infringement or agree to waive the rules by ‘letting a known breach’ go unpenalised.

7. Quiet please

Because of the possible dangers of a mishit ball straying from the clubface, noise in the lead up to impact should be minimised. Rattling change, chatting and coughing can drive a player to great distraction.

*Have consideration for others around you – even those not in your group – when another player is about to strike. Those driving from a tee should always wait for others to putt out on an adjacent green, unless otherwise directed.

8. Divot city

While divots are sometimes removed by animals and birds, it’s a source of great annoyance to see some golfers march on from their shot having left a crater the size of a beaver pelt.

*Always do the best you can to replace or repair your divots.

Don’t get too close on the tee

Players who walk off a green having admired the way their ball has pitched and stopped then neglected to repair the damage.

*Most pitchmarks are found at the front of the green – repair at least two and you’ll always have great green to putt on.

10 Bad sports are no fun

Hot-tempered golfers who complain of another’s good luck and their own misfortunate are no fun to play with.

*It’s a game, it’s fun and win or lose, take off your cap, shake hands, give credit where it’s due and hope for better luck next time.

Tell us on the forum the things about golfers that get your goat.