Four Things That You Should Definitely Not Be Doing On The Golf Course

So, you are all set to take a golfing vacation in sunny Tampa? Already comparing the different Tampa area golf courses before you pick the picture perfect one, are you? But, have you brushed up your golfing etiquette yet? No, we don’t mean stuff like always replacing the divots or not stepping on the putting lines of fellow golfers. There are a number of ‘quirks’ and habits that can really irritate the other golfers on the course and ruin a perfectly good game for everyone. Here are four of the top things that you should never ever do on a golf course.

1. Hold an Hour-long Cell Phone Conversation

Your fellow golfers would be gladly accommodating a quick business call, but don’t end up having a long-winded conversation over the cell phone. It is not only rude on your part, but inconsiderate as well. Plus it shows how little you value the others around or their time. A golf course is no place to catch up with an old pal over the phone while your friends wait patiently for you to finish and rejoin the game.

2. ‘Forgetting’ that Golf is a Highly Ethical Game

After all, there is no one keeping watch on you and making sure you don’t cheat on your score. Does that mean you can fake your score? Absolutely not! The flavor of this elegant sport lies in the fact that the players are disciplined and ethical. If everyone started getting ‘creative’ with their scores, there would be a whole lot of wrangling on the course with folks arguing about every single hole they complete. If that happens you can bid goodbye to a peaceful, quiet afternoon teeing off amidst the rolling greens.

3. Assuming that Golfing is Just an Excuse for Partying

Yes, you can look forward to the beverage cart and the beer, especially if you have made fair progress down the course and spent a few hours playing. That’s why they have these carts — to let you unwind in the midst of the game and re-energize. But there are folks who think that emptying the beverage cart is the main sport and golfing is secondary entertainment. If you are in the habit of starting your search for the beverage cart right from the first tee off and then at every hole, you are not going to make too many friends on the course! Focus on the game not on the refreshments.

4. Thinking that You are Too Good for your Fellow Players

You don’t always get to play with your usual golfing buddies or with players at exactly the same level of proficiency as you. The starter may add a person to a group to round it off. Most golfers are great sports who know that everyone has his own unique skills and game techniques. But there are the annoying few who roll their eyes when the newcomer or stranger gets stuck at a hole or takes longer than usual to complete the game. There are few who make their irritation felt when a woman is added to the group. Needless to say, this intolerance is not likely to win any brownie points but it’s sure to make the game very uncomfortable for everyone. Sport this attitude and the next time you want to team up, you may be the person no one wants to play with!

Make sure you avoid all of these annoying habits when you are teeing off at the best Tampa area golf courses. After all, you don’t want to be the reason the game is ruined for your entire group, do you?