The Worst Behaviour You See on Golf Courses

If you’re reading this article, the chances are that you think golf is a magnificent game – and we agree. This sport offers an enduringly fascinating challenge, it’s an opportunity to spend valuable time in a tranquil, outdoor setting, and it presents a chance to enjoy the company of others in an environment that only golf can provide.

That said, you will learn a lot about someone during a round of golf, both positively and negatively, as it’s a window into a person’s character, giving you a chance to see how they handle setbacks and disappointments. It’s also a learning experience to see how they engage with other people, building up social skills and relationships.

Being a rewarding and joyful playing companion is arguably the most important attribute that any golfer should aim for – it’s certainly my belief – but that isn’t always the case.

Unfortunately, we’ve all had instances when the company was poor, for a variety of reasons, making those precious few hours spent on the course truly miserable.

What are some of the worst behaviours you can spot when playing golf – and which situations do you never want to see?

Cheating

I cannot attest to this as I have rarely played competitive golf, but many of you will be able to recall tales of witnessing cheating on the course, whether it be someone taking incorrect drops or lying about their score. Golf is supposed to be a game of character, it’s a self-policed activity that relies on the honesty of its participants, but that sadly isn’t gauranteed.

When you’re playing a competitive round and someone in the group has cheated, it doesn’t get any worse than that and it’s a misdemeanour that will leave a bitter taste in your mouth.

Slow Play (And Rushing!)

We’ve talked a lot about pace of play on these pages, it remains the hottest of topics, but while I’m someone who is happily willing to accept a leisurely round of golf and never feel the need to hurry round, we’ve all been paired with another golfer who is painfully slow, is never ready to hit a shot when it’s their turn, and will take interminable periods before playing them.

That said, the extreme alternative isn’t much fun either, when a golfer races around and makes you feel rushed over each shot, which isn’t a welcome atmosphere to be part of.

Let’s try and find a comfortable middle-ground that suits everyone in the group.

Angry Golfers

We’ve all had to suffer through this at some point. But there is nothing more unbearable than having to spend hours in the company of a golfer who is screaming at themselves frequently, audibly complaining about each semblance of misfortune, potentially with a touch of club throwing or other such demonstrative actions dropped into the equation too.

There’s nothing wrong with someone reprimanding themselves after a bad shot – I’m not a prude when it comes to swearing – but when that attitude begins to define their demeanour for the whole round, then that person you’re sharing the fairways with isn’t pleasant to be around.

Angry golfers are embarrassing – but they’re also selfish, as their behaviour negatively impacts others.

Selfish Golfers

That’s perhaps the overriding description that covers each of these behaviours. Selfish golfers are the worst, and it can be expressed in several different factors.

If they’re angry and act in a way that isn’t enjoyable to be around, or are rude, unpleasant, and don’t have any interest in having a discussion that isn’t about themselves, and isn’t encouraging during the round, then you have found yourself paired up with a selfish golfer, and I have very little time for that sort of playing partner.

Bad Etiquette

Likewise, selfishness can be translated into the area of etiquette. If you’re with a golfer who doesn’t repair pitchmarks, replace divots, or rake bunkers properly, then it can make everyone in the group look bad.

If they take that further and don’t shout fore or even do things like taking their trolleys over greens (I’ve seen that recently), or talking loudly over someone else’s shots, then it can cause awkwardness as you may wish to confront them on these mistakes but don’t wish to create any animosity.

Being aware of what you’re doing and how that impacts others is an essential characteristic to being a good companion on the golf course.

Bad Habits

Bad Golf Habits

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Depending on your own preferences and lifestyle choices, some of these things might not seem like an issue, which is fair enough, but I personally don’t enjoy being around someone who spits on the golf course, especially when it’s unnecessary, and I’m not a fan of smoking, which I believe to be a foolish, dirty, smelly habit.

Someone smoking a cigarette is their decision, I won’t judge them for that, but if they don’t keep their distance when doing so, then it’s not an activity that I appreciate.

Perhaps even more controversially, I don’t like seeing other golfers using bushes or trees on the course as an impromptu toilet. Now, when you’re outside for hours, it’s possible that you could be caught short, particularly when there aren’t facilities on site, but there usually isn’t much of an excuse for it. Go before and after the round, not during it, and if the women at your golf club can manage to accomplish that, unless there are health reasons involved, then all the men can too.

Those are some of the worst behaviours that I have seen on the golf course – if you have any to add, please let us know.

Being an engaging and pleasant playing partner is the golfing attribute I value the most, both from myself and others, and delivering that would make the experience of this game even more enjoyable for all of us.

The Worst Behaviour You See on Golf Courses

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