Executive Golf Course Sand Traps...
 

People, please rake the sand trap after you have hit your shot... And it doesn't matter the time of day there are people playing behind you until dark.. There is really no excuse. Oh, and by the way, sand your divot and repair your ball mark on the green...

AMEN...thank you!

Same request for Championship courses Please! And after you rake your sand trap shots please leave the rake IN THE TRAP.
May as well be specific regarding "sand your divot" this rule applies only to fairway shots. New golfers may not understand and I would hate to see sand piles on the greens. Just thought I'd clarify.
Its sad to see so many ball marks and scuff marks on the greens.

I second this! So called "golfers" that don't do these as a courtesy to us that do, make me :cus:.

Good luck - BIG PET PEAVE
 

Use two hands on the rake!

Saw a guy (from a distance) at Mallory last Friday hit out of fairway trap, then walk out dragging the rake behind him with one hand. When I played the hole I looked in the trap and sure enough, one rake trail PARALLEL to his foot trail. :rant-rave:. I took 30 seconds and raked it out as someone would have had no shot if they got in there.

If you see someone do this in your group say something. Be polite, but be sure they learn how to leave a bunker.

I have given up complaining about executive course traps so I have new rules. IMO. There are USGA rules, local rules and Alan's 'executive course' rules. Although not many, one Alan rule is if you are in a foot print from some :swear:, take relief.

I remember my Dad always telling me. When returning a tool you have borrowed, clean it up better than when you got it. That applies here, make the bunker smoother than when you first stepped in.

where does one get the sand for their sand bottle....don't attack I'm new (to The Villages) and learning the ropes

There is usually always a sand box located next to or close to the starter shack of whatever course you are playing.

Yes, it's frustrating seeing unraked footprints in the traps. I treat them like unrepaired ball marks on the greens. If I have time after I've played out of the bunker, I rake not only my prints ( don't forget to smooth over your divot and the crater your ball made when it hit the sand initially) but nearby unrepaired damage. If I putt out first and have time, I'll go into a trap and repair some footprints or damage from people entering/exiting from the high side instead of the low side. All the extra work is done IF I won't hold up play.

I was always taught to leave the course better than I found it.

thanks!

Biggest gripes covered well. It all comes down to common courtesy and good golf etiquette. I think all new residents should attend good golf school as a prerequisite for obtaining their trail pass for executive golf courses.

Sand traps are high maintenance on all golf courses. I sometimes wonder what the "designer" was thinking with so many sand traps. It's not that the traps are difficult but rather they are high maintenance. As a general rule, we seniors don't like "high maintenance"!

A friend of mine tells a true story regarding a golfer who ask why the ambassadors weren't doing a better job of raking the sand traps for us golfers. Funny but sad because the golfer was serious.
It is sad that I have to fix two or three ball marks on every green. It would be nice if at least one was mine! Fore!

The greens on Yankee Clipper today were like a carpet, simply beautiful! The sand in the traps was like sugar!

Instructors in person, in news articles tell you to take at least one practice shot before you strike the ball. All courses here ask that you repair divotsand rake the traps. But all courses also tell you to play ready golf. What do you do hen these instructions conflict? What do yo do when you see these infractions but become accustom to course employees who can't or won't address these infractions? When is it up to a player? Why should a player be forced into a position that may cause golf rage?

I do repair divots. I do rake traps. I do play ready golf. I don't force my good habits on other golfers

Ready golf simply means that you don't have to hit in turn as normally dictated by who is away.

Welcome to rental season !!!!

TheVillageChicken: You are right. What i filed to make clear is that the golf industry is on a campaign to speed up golf because they are losing people to this game. My point was to explain that there are things we can and should do but when all is said in done what does a golfer do when faster golf intersects with a player's quest for quality performance and an enjoyable round

Please don't go there. This thread is not about that.

It's not your job to force your good habits on other golfers. Feel good that you are doing the right thing. Maybe they will learn by example.

On the tee, the person with the lowest score tees off first, next lowest; second. With ready golf anyone ready can tee off first.

Everyone off the green is supposed to be on the green before the furthest away from the pin putts. With ready golf, anyone can putt first. Even if someone is walking to a sand trap you can putt and mark your ball.

I guess that's what you said except I made it wordier.

I don't know about that. Everyone should be on the green or fringe first otherwise, it can be distracting and dangerous if you're not paying attention.

This pretty cool. I went to the USGA website and found this video about the rules of golf. click here

RULES
Presented by ROLEX
One of the core functions of the USGA is to write and interpret the Rules of Golf. The Association does this in conjunction with the R&A in St. Andrews, Scotland. The USGA also sets guidelines for competitions and Amateur Status. Learn and play by the rules for maximum enjoyment of the game. We’re here to help.

The person is walking to the trap and they might get hurt because you are putting? don't you ever tell anybody or volunteer to hit up while so and so is walking to their ball?

No Tom, you got it backwards. You shouldn't be putting while people are still hitting up especially while hitting up from a sand trap. I know you said you can putt while someone is walking to a sand trap but like I said, if you're not paying attention this is a dangerous situation. There are plenty of other things that can be done to speed up play so lets not take unnecessary risks. I can't tell you how many times I had to tell someone to watch out for someone else hitting up. Sometimes people have tunnel vision when golfing, only thinking about their shot.

Hitting up to the hole while you are on the green. I have been playing since I was 12, coaching hs golf since I was 28 until I retired and officiated over 100 hs golf tournaments. I have a pretty good sense of what is safe on a golf course.

Maybe I do need to work on my writing.

Not everyone in the villages has your experience. I'm sure that you are safe but others may not be. I'd like to play with you someday, I bet I could learn a lot. Hit um long and straight.

Play golf twice a week on Championship courses.....we play ready golf all the time and adjust based on pace of play with the group in front. If we are being held up we slow our pace and will wait for everyone to hit on the green....if we are lagging behind we will focus on each other to be safe but will attempt to play faster to keep up. There are those holes that slow us down, yeah we lose balls or hit provisional s or just have a bad hole. It is our responsibility to make up the loss and that sometimes changes when we putt and who we wait for. Golf is like any other sport, be aware of your surroundings and adjust....if you can't do that then maybe you should try something else.

I also believe ALL golfers should have to attend the Good Golf School before they can play on the executive golf courses. No school, no tee time. I also wish the ambassadors had the power to give warnings when they see someone not rake the sand trap. And then there is always the slow play issues which just seem to get worse.

The golfer that holes out first is suppose to take the pin and be ready to put in the hole when all golfers have holed out. This saves time and is also ready golf and good etiquette.

Do you know the rules of golf? What is golf course etiquette? What ready golf means?

Tom Carpus is the Head of the PGA Rules Committee and in this video he goes over the rules, etiquette and ready golf. click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LblxeIXzctQ

AND---This is a well written paper with illustrations that reinforces ready golf skills.
“Ready golf is kind of like the etiquette of playing golf. It is a general practice that most golfers
follow so that they are not playing slowly. Ready golf includes thinking ahead so you are ready to play when it is your turn. So here are some of the principles that many golfers use so that they keep play moving.” click here http://www.golfwebsite.ws/12148/Documents/ReadyGolf.PDF

I agree but the pin should be left on the ground until everyone putts out. If you insist on picking it up early then please hold the flag so it's not flapping in the breeze.

Then I guess if you're playing ready golf...
 

all should pay attention.

Faster golf does not intersect...
 

with quality performance. Faster golf is being ready when it's your turn...not jibber jabbering when you should be moving or hitting....writing your score on the next tee...parking your cart nearest where you would exit the green to go to the next tee...not looking for golf balls....if you're first to hole out then you tend the pin....be ready and it will speed up play and be more enjoyable... if you go to a golf course to play golf and not just socialize...take no mulligans(no it really ISN'T a part of golf)...if you hit one in the water drop in the drop area...once you're done with a hole move off to the next tee as quick as you can...playing quickly doesn't hurt performance or fun...acting like it does will do so...

the only way to improve is to be able to understand what you're doing wrong and going to a golf range to work on your game.

Raking sand traps on executive course I see as a double edged sword.
I play pretty fast, and typically rake mine (and a couple other's) marks after getting out of the sand. There is a huge variety of skill sets playing these courses. Personally I would rather the 4some in front of me averaging 7 strokes a hole on par 3s , 3 holes behind the group in front of them by hole#4 and out for daily exercise with the wives.. NOT rake.
I follow the "executive rules" If I happen to be in someone's footprint, ( or the tire marks from the maintenance guys), I just improve my lie, hit and rake. Big whoop.
If you are betting, I would go with "executive rules" (agreed on prior to play) or play at a championship course, where you STILL might get stymied by a previous player's marks in the sand, or a rake mark, or an animal's print... it's golf, you are going to have bad lies. Improve it or play it.

That's exactly as I see sand trap trappings too. If I was king these would be my executive rules?

Given--executive course golf is not truly golf, so let's make it fast and a learning experience until the player is ready to play all the USGA rules, not just the handful they think they understand
It's like playing flag football or half court basketball.

Rule 1
If you don't reach the drop zone----pick the ball up and carry it to the drop zone. You can tee it up a half inch in the drop zone too because the drop zones are usually flattened out, making that shot one of the most difficult shots you will encounter.

Rule 2
You get 2 chances to get it out of the sand and if it doesn't land on the green you get a free lift from anywhere. Please rake or ask a pal if it will slow everyone down.

Rule 3 Unless both golfers are handicapped take turns walking the par threes.

Rule 4 Keep track of how many greens you hit in regulation. If you hit 5 or more and play from the gold move back. If you hit less then 3, move up. Keep track of your putts. These 2 numbers will show your improvement.

I use to coach and came up with "The Six Iron Theory" for beginners and experienced golfers alike, and especially me when the wheels fall off.

Just hit a six iron [or less] until you can hit is consistently. When you are a beginner adjusting for the length and loft of the club and where the ball is placed is too much to absorb. Walk before you run. This will build confidence because you will hit it at least 7 times.

[I'm thinking about allowing a second hit off the tee if it doesn't reach the drop zone. An extra hit doesn't add much time if you have an extra ball in your pocket and you pick up the first ball quickly. These rules are to help golfers improve their swing and consequently their game. What do you experienced golfers think?]

Executive Golf Course Sand Traps...
 

I know what you mean, but can't agree with the way you've stated it. I play lots of championship courses. But I also play executives a lot. I see it as more of an opportunity to fit a little golf into an hour-and-a-half.

Any executive golf hole could be found on a championship course. Just not vice-versa.

And by the way, I think your executive rules for beginners are excellent! :)

As for the ambassadors,, they don't do much of anything beside give out water or sand, or perhaps I should say they aren't allowed to do anything else. I have never seen them tell someone to play a faster pace when they are 2 holes behind. Also, when signs are out (approaching the green) that have arrows directing you back to the golf path, MEANING DO NOT PROCEED FORWARD.... people just ignore them, and the ambassadors don't say a word. They think they can practically drive onto the edge of the green. I live on Sand hill across from one of the greens and they drive past the signs, and even past the rope and weave their way around to park on the very edge of the green. Talk about no etiquette. They think that handicapped sign means they don't have to follow any rules. Oh, by the way, I AM handicapped and I follow the rules. Of course these kind of people probably don't read TOTV to learn about etiquette. Oh well....what are you gonna do about it? For sure the ambassadors won't do a thing.

Great ideas! I especially like the Six Iron Theory. When I move down there, I may give that a try until I get my game in shape. (It needs a lot of "shaping"!)

Ask any Ambassador , they will more then happy to fill your sand bottle

Mostly incorrect. Ambassadors absolutely can correct slow play issues. I've done it quite a few times. But sometimes, the issue is not with the players, but rather the course or conditions. RA tag owners may drive up to 15' from the green, unless there are restrictions in place on the course to prevent damage.

Also pass driver test. If they can't hit driver (woods) 100 yards then limited to putt putt course. Or make some new short courses with 125 yard par 5s. IMO ridiculous if you have to hit driver on 126 yard par 3 and still come up 40 yards short.