[Cassie325]

When out on the golf course....hitting out of a sand trap....should the golfer rake the sand after themselves or should they expect an ambassador rake after each golfer...as well as put the rake back in place.

Just curious what opinions are of the TOTV members....


I do know that the sand traps are raked by machine every other day...and the ambassadors clean up at the end of their shift...but I am talking about after each time it happens.

[784caroline]

Do you expect Ambassadors to put sand in your divots or to pump up the greens after you land your ball on the green.?? I doubt it and the same would hold true for sand traps. As a courtesy for the follow on players behind you, you are expected to smooth out the sand trap after you hit the best you can.

Better yet you should learn not to land in sand traps!

[Talk Host]

IT is absolutely the responsibility of the player to repair the sand in the bunker. Not even in the most elite country clubs do the rangers do that.

Recently an ambassador told me that a female golfer told him that it was his responsiblilty to repair her sand. She told him he was not doing his job.

[donaldlmiller]

I have never known of an ambassador or marshal repairing the traps. THe caddies do it on the tour. The Villages is a wonderful place but having someone repair your sand traps and filling divots is indeed for the best of all Country Clubs. Most people do a pretty good job of raking them but others just don't do it at all. It would be a good idea to give all golfers an instruction sheet on how to repair traps, divots and especially ball marks. Ball marks if not repaired well can really be a problem. For the most part people do a pretty good job of taking care of the courses at The VIllages, now if we could figure out a way to not have as much wind we would indeed be in golf heaven. Enjoy and remember that others will be playing after you.

[dillywho]

Originally Posted by Cassie325

When out on the golf course....hitting out of a sand trap....should the golfer rake the sand after themselves or should they expect an ambassador rake after each golfer...as well as put the rake back in place.

Just curious what opinions are of the TOTV members....


I do know that the sand traps are raked by machine every other day...and the ambassadors clean up at the end of their shift...but I am talking about after each time it happens.

repairing ball marks, filling divots are all matters of courtesy. If an ambassador happens to do some of these things, he/she are just being courteous; it is not part of the job. Besides, we can only achieve the pristine courses we all like to play by sharing responsibility for their upkeep as well as being courteous to our fellow players.

[Dirigo]

Originally Posted by dillywho

repairing ball marks, filling divots are all matters of courtesy. If an ambassador happens to do some of these things, he/she are just being courteous; it is not part of the job. Besides, we can only achieve the pristine courses we all like to play by sharing responsibility for their upkeep as well as being courteous to our fellow players.

I agree with dilly.

All golfers should aways strive to fix their own ball mark and at least one other on each green, fill your divot on the fairway and one other as well, and always rake your footprints in the bunker.

Now I realize if you just skulled a sand shot over the green your mind might not be on etiquette, so if you forget once in a while, as we all do, just make up for it by doing all the more on the next hole to make conditions better for the next player.

My regular foursome repairs ball marks while waiting for their turn to putt. Sometimes we fix three apiece on each green. We fill every divot in sight if we are waiting on the tee for the group ahead of us. We pick up wrappers and trash and deposit them in the next waste basket we see. If you will do this, the course will be in better condition for you the next time around.

I picked up trash while playing one of the Havana courses on our LSP last month.

If everyone does just a little it adds up to a lot and makes the golfing experience better for all.

Dirigo

[t fields]

if you would just go to GOOD GOLF SCHOOL you would find out what is expected of you, this is a free class and is well worth your time to go if you don't know what to do, lots of info and very informative

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Cassie325

When out on the golf course....hitting out of a sand trap....should the golfer rake the sand after themselves or should they expect an ambassador rake after each golfer...as well as put the rake back in place.

Just curious what opinions are of the TOTV members....


I do know that the sand traps are raked by machine every other day...and the ambassadors clean up at the end of their shift...but I am talking about after each time it happens.

Do you play golf?

[Cassie325]

Ok golfers...don't get too mad at ME!! It was just a question!!! I was at work yesterday and one of the ladies at the office made a comment that while she was golfing over the weekend a golf group in front of her made a stink with the ambassador. The golfers said "WE PAY OUR AMENITIES, SO THE AMBASSADORS SHOULD BE DOING IT FOR US"

I am FULLY aware of the etiquette of golf, the good golf school and live with an ambassador.....

I simply wanted to get your opinions....start a new topic....that is what we do here. I guess I should have explained in detail...but now I certainly have your opinions!

[livsea2]

The Villages "Good Golf Guide" which was given to me in my packet when I did a lifestyle visit and I am sure is available free to all villagers states,
" Before leaving a bunker, a player should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints they have made". It also contains instuctions on divot repair and golf etiquette.

[collie1228]

My Dad, God rest his soul, started teaching me golf etiquette when I was about 8 years old. He made it clear that proper etiquette was more important than score. There were several basic, easy to follow rules, most of which were beneficial to the group folowing yours. One, keep up the pace of play; two, replace divots (but in FL were the divots won't grow again, presents a problem); three, fix all ball marks on the green, and; four, always, without exception, rake the sand trap. There were other intructions, like never speak when another player is putting or hitting, etc. But raking the sand was one of the basic rules. He made me aware of the importance of those rules about 50 years ago, and I'm still making darned sure that nobody behind me is ever inconvenience by anything I do. It's not hard, but it makes everyone's experience better. Thanks Dad. Bottom Line: Rake the traps!

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by Cassie325

but now I certainly have your opinions!

The problem with the question Cassie (and you should know if you know the game as you said) is that there is no room for opinions on the subject.

There can be no 'let's argue the points of each side' here. As a player you rake the sand, fill divots, pick up loose trash, don't make any new trash, keep up the pace of play etc. etc. The good golf guide has most of the answers: http://www.thevillages.com/homes/vls...asp?vls=206044

I think a better question to debate is: "keep the rakes in the bunker or not?".

I agree with the golf guide that rakes should be in the bunker and can be moved without penalty should the ball come to rest against it. I'd rather be in the bunker than having my ball be held up in the grass on the very edge and be standing one foot in, one foot out.

[cabo35]

Do I have to rake my wife's excusions into sand traps or is she obliged to rake her own sand divots and footprints? Don't tell her I asked.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by collie1228

My Dad, God rest his soul, started teaching me golf etiquette when I was about 8 years old. He made it clear that proper etiquette was more important than score. There were several basic, easy to follow rules, most of which were beneficial to the group folowing yours. One, keep up the pace of play; two, replace divots (but in FL were the divots won't grow again, presents a problem); three, fix all ball marks on the green, and; four, always, without exception, rake the sand trap. There were other intructions, like never speak when another player is putting or hitting, etc. But raking the sand was one of the basic rules. He made me aware of the importance of those rules about 50 years ago, and I'm still making darned sure that nobody behind me is ever inconvenience by anything I do. It's not hard, but it makes everyone's experience better. Thanks Dad. Bottom Line: Rake the traps!

Right. Right. Right. And don't walk in my putting line.

I am afraid that those ladies who posed the question were rookies.

[katezbox]

Originally Posted by Dirigo

I agree with dilly.

All golfers should aways strive to fix their own ball mark and at least one other on each green, fill your divot on the fairway and one other as well, and always rake your footprints in the bunker.

Now I realize if you just skulled a sand shot over the green your mind might not be on etiquette, so if you forget once in a while, as we all do, just make up for it by doing all the more on the next hole to make conditions better for the next player.

My regular foursome repairs ball marks while waiting for their turn to putt. Sometimes we fix three apiece on each green. We fill every divot in sight if we are waiting on the tee for the group ahead of us. We pick up wrappers and trash and deposit them in the next waste basket we see. If you will do this, the course will be in better condition for you the next time around.

I picked up trash while playing one of the Havana courses on our LSP last month.

If everyone does just a little it adds up to a lot and makes the golfing experience better for all.

Dirigo

Basically - leave the place a little bit better than you found it.