Try USGA official rules of golf, section I, Etiquette page 20 paragraph 5

USGA: 2012-2015 Rules of Golf

Repair of Divots, Ball Marks and Damage by Shoes
Players should carefully repair any divot holes made by them and any
damage to the putting green made by the impact of a ball (whether or not
made by the player himself). On completion of the hole by all players in the
group, damage to the putting green caused by golf shoes should be repaired.

And in case you want to argue that this is "not a rule"---it is not a rule as to play procedure or score penalties, it is a rule of etiquette in the rules book and is punishable by penalty---from page 21:

Conclusion; Penalties for Breach
If players follow the guidelines in this section, it will make the game more
enjoyable for everyone.
If a player consistently disregards these guidelines during a round or over
a period of time to the detriment of others, it is recommended that the
Committee considers taking appropriate disciplinary action against the
offending player. Such action may, for example, include prohibiting play for
a limited time on the course or in a certain number of competitions. This
is considered to be justifiable in terms of protecting the interests of the
majority of golfers who wish to play in accordance with these guidelines.
In the case of a serious breach of etiquette, the Committee may disqualify a
player under Rule 33-7.

33-7. Disqualification Penalty; Committee Discretion
A penalty of disqualification may in exceptional individual cases be waived,
modified or imposed if the Committee considers such action warranted.
Any penalty less than disqualification must not be waived or modified.
If a Committee considers that a player is guilty of a serious breach of
etiquette, it may impose a penalty of disqualification under this Rule.

Sorry New Guy---I was hoping to agree with you for a second time, but alas.......:1rotfl:

The minority is not asking to turn the courses into something else.

This is a senior citizen golf cart community. If it was a golf community 90% would be walking, playing all the rules [not just the ones you know], not plucking the ball out of the hole with a suction cup and doing it all on a regulation size course.

Hardly anyone cares about what they shoot or improving. I don't care enough. If I cared I would be going to the free practice greens and bunkers at Sarasota. I've talked to many who have taken lessons but don't practice. I'm a retired golf coach. I just want to play and meet others. I won't play alone. I've met thousands of happy people this way and only 2 grouches.

I thought I'd love to play full size courses that cost a fraction of what our's cost. For the last 3 weeks I played Continental, the Lakes of Lady Lake and the preserve course that's 45 minutes away not the closer one. Even if it was free I don't know if I'd go back. What a privilege it is to play "Almost Golf" for free on beautiful executive courses surrounded by beautifully landscaped homes. I truly feel entitled down here. I don't know anyone outside of the villages that has it as good as me.

Most of these kinds of arguments could be avoided if the "glass half empty" or "footprints in the sand" types would count their blessings and all their strokes.

I don't see a lot of experienced golfers mistreat the courses. I think it is an issue of the inexperienced masses taking up the golf activity. In other words, they don't know better and/or they don't care. No golf etiquette.

I really hear what you are saying. BUT...why play at all? Most of us have played golf for years and we think it is the right thing to do. Do we matter? We still rake sand and repair ball marks and fill in divots and don't walk in anyone's putting line and don't talk while they are addressing the ball and........


I am usually a glass half full but it doesn't HURT to remind new people that there are things that will make them look better on the course and keep the course repaired for others. They simply don't know. Perhaps some will be reading this thread.

Here new golfers. Not filling in divots is kinda like blowing your nose in a cloth napkin at a nice restaurant. Nuff said.

I enjoy golf so much that I might even get my own rake.

The Way People Are...
 

Just felt compelled to write something here, and that isn't usually a good inspiration for me.
A lot of us have "fixed" more than our fair share of "leftover blemishes" on our beautiful golf courses. I like to think when doing this, it's sort of an "above and beyond" what I really need to do kind of thing...and I really should be doing more of these in a more substantive/beneficial setting. But at this point, I'm not, so I try my best to avoid getting all riled up and launching into expletive filled tirades as I exceed my expected quota of divot repairs. I also try to avoid hysterics when encountering folks ahead of me in the 10 item express check-out line, with at least 25 items on the conveyor belt, this takes some grit...then there's the loud talkers in the movie theatre or those hurling trash from their golf carts, in super-charged carts clearly going well over the 19mph, that mine legally tops out at. It does take some patience and tolerance, yes and gritty intestinal fortitude to put up with all the transgressions of this "entitled" class of Village folks. So, I can choose to be endlessly aggravated or simply continue going "above & beyond", even just a little - get a good feeling out of it, and keep the blood pressure down.

I'm playing the new Entitleist golf ball. They are $84 a dozen but worth it because it says right on the box that "If this ball doesn't go where you want it to go you are allowed to move it without penalty". Not everyone is even allowed to buy them!

I'm sure Gracie meant golf etiquette. My wife and I played with another couple today at Palmetto and the 4 of us repaired no less than 2 divots each (other than ours) on every green. Besides taking longer to play, it's just damn annoying.

One poster made the statement to not get the blood pressure up; had my annual yesterday and mine was 114/68. Fixing divots and repairing ball marks doesn't get my BP up - it's just damn annoying.

Here's another good photo to post:


How to Repair Ball Marks on the Golf Green

I mounted a green repair tool at the end of a ball return. I can fix many marks without bending over or taking much time. I think a lot of golfers have trouble bending over. That's why they have those gizmos at the end of the putter to get the ball out of the hole.
[IMG]http://i62.tinypic.com/2da0pqo.jpg[/IMG]
I'm working on a new saying:Old is not a four letter word, unless you are a Pilgrim.

Half the golfers in TV must think that it's a tuning fork:1rotfl:

Looks like it can also be used on coyotes and golfers who don't rake traps:1rotfl:

I do have the repair tool pointing out until I'm sure nothing is around before I scoop up a ball in the bushes or in the water. When I made it that never occurred to me.

Good one.

My question is WHY doesn't TV have sand boxes and shovels on EVERY tee box? Where I come from that's standard practice...and most golfers then fill their tee box divots.