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What is an "etiquette round?"

Well, I created this, and if you don't play it. I can only suggest an effort. I highly suggest it.

Every 2 months or so, during a CASUAL round with a couple friends, I focus on being that guy that performs every etiquette issue to perfection. Here was my "job" today :

Stand in front or behind ALL others at their address
Congratulate every quality shot, NOT the above-average ones
Man the flag if I putt out first
Fix my ball mark- and one other
Replace ALL my divots, even if it takes time
Rake all traps- nicely
Be ready to hit when it's my turn
Pick up after my 7th shot w/out my ball on the green yet
Pay debts IMMEDIATELY (I did while walking off 18)
Etc.

The reason I play these rounds is because I find myself getting lazy after time w/ etiquette and to stay in the habit and be sharp. And believe it or not- IT KEEPS YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME. Even though I lost a couple bucks, I played better than usual. And it's actually quite fun. Just thought I'd pass on my "Etiquette Round" creation.

I was thinking the same thing...what are you doing the rest of the time?

This is how golf is played!!!!! Why are you not doing this each and every time and your friends too?

Would like to belive all GR members use this as S.O.P. on every round!
Wishful thinking?

As long as you've been on GR and you have't been using golf "etiquette" all this time...shame on you!!!
My grandfather would have taken you out behind the barn....and switched ya!!!

I learned the etiquette part of the game from my dad before I learned to "play" the game...he was a strict etiquette guy. The only thing I don't do 100% of the time is be the guy to put the flag back....however I am always fixing numerous ball marks on the green when time to do so is available.
As far as why emory doesn't do this all the time, I'd be willing to bet he does a majority of the things listed. Prolly (threw that in there to annoy the guys from the web shortcut peeves ) most of the avid readers on GR do. Now, as far as the avg. "I saw Tiger play so I want to play to" guys...sheez, drives me nuts and I try to kindly help out w/ the do's and dont's. The only time I get mad is when guys who KNOW about fixing ball marks and other important etiquette issues, don't follow them. I have a guy I regularly play w/ who NEVER fixes his ball mark. I think it is not intentional. He looks in a 10 foot radius around his ball for his mark and when he doesn't see it, moves on. However, about 1% of his shots stop near where the ball landed. He hits his drive 200 yards at the most so always has a long iron or wood into the green. These are low shots that run 30 feet so his ball mark is on the front of the green. And if his ball is off the back, he doesn't check to see if it left a mark on the green....the kicker is when he goes to a course other than his home club and he gripes and complains about unrepaired ball marks...

I think my biggest faux pas in golfing etiquette is not being finished with conversation when someone else gets ready to putt. It's not a problem in a tournament when I'm really focused, but rears its head in a weekday round from time to time.

I'm working on it, though.

[quote=LordEmery]

The reason I play these rounds is because I find myself getting lazy after time w/ etiquette and to stay in the habit and be sharp.

I created this round for me from a personal point. I only suggest it for players who are like me. Players that, well, read above. I feel I'm good with etiquette, but playing at my home course all the time with regulars and closer friends, it's very easy to take it for granted and become lazy- esp/ in Fall and Winter. Of course I do all the basics, but sometimes I need that "wake up call" and I force the "hardcore" etiquette on myself- for one full round, regardless of some of the idiots I play with. Somtimes I need to go in for a tune-up. Hopefully this makes more sense. Thank you.

[quote=LordEmery]I admire you thinking about it and trying to get back to the gentle side of our wonderful game.

I guess I'm lucky that most of the folks I play with are generally etiquette-ful pretty much all the time!

[quote=jwaldrop]Playing my "Etiquette Round" is a must for me- not because of me, because of my ALL my 150 playing partners. Play with these guys for several months, you'll know what I mean. I'm just trying to be that guy that cares. Thanks, Waldrop. A big to you.

One nice thing about keeping good etiquette is that occasionally you'll hear good things from better players.

For example, last week I got matched up with a threesome and on the second green I overheard one of them say something like "now there's a guy who knows to fix ball marks" (not quite word-for-word) while I was fixing up the "...and one more" mark. From a group that had clearly been playing together for a long time, I think that was pretty good.

Being a bit OC about etiquette (I hate typing that word) has now paid off, and in less than a year and a half of playing.

It makes for a better, smoother game and thank you to all who do so.

I gotta go with what League said - I don't care what kinda jamolk I may be playing with, etiquette is job 1......no exceptions.

I agree, that's the point of the post- bringing etiquette back to the forefront of my thought. ( )

Ok..................

So you hold up the course by wasting your time getting an 8 instead of a nine, ignore any pitchmark that is in need of a 2 second repair, and do not settle your debts until pushed.........................

And you wear that shirt!