5 ethical guidelines you may be breaking in the green

“Yes, this is where the game is won. Right here on the green.”

Analysis, by caddy Bagger Vance in the fictional – yet, sometimes, true golf movie, The Legend of Bagger Vanceit is true. Rarely is a game, a tournament, a major tournament decided by a tee shot or a well-struck iron. Golf’s greatest moments reveal themselves on the green.

After all, golfer etiquette is very evident there, too.

You may know the basics of etiquette on and off the putting green, but there are some finer points for running a class when the game hits the green. Here, we highlight five important aspects of good behavior when you and your playing partners are holding the putter.

To stop the news

When it comes to green behavior, many faux pas are made by standing in the wrong places. For example, you will never see professionals standing behind the player on the extended line of their putt, not because it is against the rules, but because it is understood that taking such a position would be a distraction. It is the same as standing beyond the hole in a straight line with the putter. As a good rule of thumb, avoid standing in places where you can be seen in the player’s line of sight or in their direct line of sight as they look down their line of putt.

Casting shadows

Only on very overcast days – or those unlucky rounds played in the rain – can you cast a shadow on the ground. At all other times, the position of the sun has the potential to create distractions and challenging lighting conditions. So, if you are standing on the green, take a moment to find your dignity. If it falls over your playing partner’s line or covers the cup, take as many steps as are necessary to reposition your shadow — it can be a distraction or interfere with a player’s ability to accurately judge the distance and speed of his putt.

Tread carefully

Most golfers know to be careful about stepping onto another player’s green. If this is news to you, here’s a quick primer: When players walk on the green, each foot causes a small depression in the surface. Most of the time, these ruins will not be visible, but the soft green ones, can be seen. Depending on the severity of the placement, the length of time it takes for this to come back is different, but on average it takes at least a few minutes. That means that a foot made on the line of the putt has the potential to affect how the ball rolls on that section of turf – it can affect the speed of the putt or it can affect the break. Either way, there’s a good chance new footprints will interfere with a well-struck putt, even if that footprint isn’t visible to the naked eye.

So be sure to keep tabs on where other players are on the green and the lines their putts will take. Extended strides can often do the trick when walking between the player and the hole; however, taking a little extra time to walk behind a player is always polite. This applies to situations where golfers are not just on the green, too. Before walking in front of a player who is a few yards back on the fairway, the collar, or perhaps the first cut, look at the club he is holding. If they’re planning to putt, walk away and walk behind them – the courtesy won’t be seen (or appreciated).

Capture the flag

If you’re playing with strangers or a mix of people you don’t usually play with, it’s likely that the flag title will appear on the first green. “Would you like a login or login pin?” someone will definitely ask. If the features of the game are important – or if you’re playing in a tournament – definitely stay firm on how you like the putt. But if you’re playing social, fun golf, and the other players all agree on how they choose the flagstick, don’t be the guy who rocks the boat. If the consensus of the group is that they all like to have the flagstick out – and you’re a pinner – don’t insist that the flagstick needs to be in the middle when you place. It will only do random exchanges.

Also, if you’re holding the flagstick while other players on your team finish, make sure you hold it close to the top, high enough on the stick so you can wrap the flag and hold it. The sound of the flag blowing in the wind can sometimes be a distraction; and if you are responsible for taking the pin, be sure to keep the flag under control.

Alright, set up….

If you’ve read my column on slow play, you know all the minutiae that go into testing a shot, whether it’s on the tee box or the fairway, takes time. More time than you might think. The same goes for greens. Studying the break, checking the slope, making sense of the grain (if you’re playing on traditional Bermuda grass), this chews up precious time. I’m not suggesting you don’t do these things – greens are where the game is won, after all – but be careful when you start doing them.

If you’re not the first on your team to putt, but you (including your reputation) are outside the field of vision of the other player, start checking your line. You may have time to reposition your ball and be ready to putt moments after your playing partner has done so. There’s no guarantee that the players in your group will notice this quick approach to the green – they’ll probably be more focused on the putts they’re trying to make – but I can guarantee that the golfers behind you on the fairway will. Your move will speed up your entire team’s game.