Many of us are drawn to The Villages because we have played golf a LOT in our lifetime so golf etiquette, behavior on the course and following the rules of golf is in essence second nature to us.
I am so pleased that there are so many people who have never played golf that now have the time and the inclination to do so.
I have been witness to some sad and ugly things that happened because "old" golfers expect "new" golfers to do the things or not do things according to Hoyle. Some people are better at "pointing things out" than others.
So please remember to keep moving. Have your club drawn and ready to step on the tee the second it is your turn and ready to take the next shot when it is your turn. Don't talk when someone is ready to hit the ball. Don't waste time looking for your lost ball and don't take tooooooo many mulligans. One or two a round is good for a beginner. If you have more than ten strokes on a hole...some will say less, please pick up your ball and let the others finish that hole and begin again on the next one. Don't put your feet in the space between where ANY of balls lie on the green and the Imaginary line that ball will take to the hole. That is called "walking in the putting line". Repair the indentations made by the ball hitting the green...even if you didn't make them. When you hit out of the sand, rake the trap to erase the footprints you made. Park your golf cart pin high on the hole and do not write your score or mess with things when you finish the hole. Leave quickly and do that on the next tee.
Do not hit into the group ahead of you but do not allow too much space between you and the next group so that the ambassador has to ask you to speed up play. Do all these things while trying to remember to take the club back slowly, swing through the ball, slightly bend your legs and have your hands placed correctly on the club.
And they say golf is easy.
