Start playing golf – The sport that stays with you for life

Start playing golf is a magazine series for people who are new to golf and need answers to those initial questions that usually crop up when you first enter the world of golf. There’s a lot to keep track of in terms of equipment, rules and etiquette – but we’re here to help you!

The golf course is where we meet across generational boundaries, in a way that’s not particularly common elsewhere these days. But on a tough par 3, both restless ten-year-olds and calm pensioners – and everyone in between – can bond over the challenge of reaching the flag over there in the distance on the other side of the stream.

We also get fresh air, exercise and a bit of competition to get stuck into.

Those of us who play golf know all about this already.

And there are plenty of us.

In Sweden there are 550,000 golfers and the game has become a real people’s sport, a long way from the old myth that golf was exclusively for company directors.

But for people who’ve just started playing, or are thinking of doing so, golf can still be a bit difficult to understand – and many people wonder how you’re supposed to behave on the course. Our reply? Have fun and just use common sense – that’s all you really need. But to clarify a few things that are easy to miss when you’re overwhelmed by the choice of clubs, bunker shots and handicaps, Daniel Runsten-Melander from Dormy Barkarby has put together this mini guide to the essence of golf.

What do you need to remember on the green?

– The first thing you need to do when you get to the green is definitely to repair your pitch mark. But then it’s important to keep an eye on your surroundings. Three quick tips:

Do not walk across anyone’s putting line (the line formed between your fellow player’s ball and the hole) and do not stand either right in front of or right behind someone who’s putting (in the extended putting line).

Keep an eye on your shadow! A classic. Neither you nor your shadow should get in the way of the person putting. Sometimes you need to walk around the green a couple of times to get your shadow in the right place, especially in late summer.

Prepare while your fellow player is putting so you’re ready when it’s your turn. Start reading your putt and practise your stroke to the extent possible while you’re waiting. This helps speed up the pace play a little.

Where should you leave your bag?

– There are a couple of rules for where you can and can’t place your bag and above all, where you can’t roll the trolley.

On the tee? Trolleys must not be brought onto the tee. If you have a carry bag you must also place the bag off the tee. Just make sure that you don’t leave the bag too close so it gets in the way. Don’t leave it behind anyone either.

In the bunker? No. No bag should be brought into the bunker. Leave it next to the bunker. Remember to rake the bunker so you don’t give the next person whose shot goes astray even more reason to be annoyed.

On the green? Trolleys must not be pushed onto the green or the fringe. And a little trick that can differ on different courses – you’re not allowed to push the trolley between a green bunker and the green. Make it a habit to go around the green complex and place your bag on the way to the next tee.

If you have a carry bag you’re of course allowed to walk across the green with the bag on your shoulders and then set it down on the other side!

Flagstick in or out?

“Nowadays you can do what you want. Often the decision is taken jointly with the ball in each position. The important thing is not to place the pin in the way of either yourself or your fellow players. And if you finish putting first, you can stand by the pin and be ready to put it back when everyone’s finished”.

What would you say about the pace of play?

“Small things make a big difference. Golf always takes a long time, so keeping up a good pace is important for everyone’s comfort and so you can stay focused for the whole round. And so it doesn’t take too long to play”. Five small things to keep the pace of play up:

Leave your bag in the right place so you don’t have to walk several metres back to get it when you’ve hit your shot or are finished on the green.

Prepare for your shot while someone else is hitting so you’re ready when it’s your turn or when you arrive at your ball.

Hole out. When it’s a friendly game, you can let someone finish off their short putt instead of having to mark it and take the putts in the "right order".

Don’t spend 15 minutes looking for your ball – stick to the recommended three minutes.

Pick up your ball when you’ve had the maximum number of strokes and move on to the next hole. This can help both the tempo and your confidence.

The key is that small things that feel like they don’t take much time will add up to a lot of time. You shouldn’t feel stressed at all, but you should feel that you’re constantly progressing.

Daniel Runsten-Melander,

Dormy Barkarby

Is the preconception true that golf is a staid and rigid sport?

Absolutely not! Golf is an enjoyable sport and it’s about getting out there and having fun. But golf is a pulsating sport in the sense that, at times, you need to be quiet and courteous to let people concentrate properly when taking their shot. But as long as you have respect for your fellow players and for the course – and raise your gaze to make sure you’re not disturbing anyone – you should have lots of fun, socialising and enjoying the moment just as if you were anywhere else!

Fanny Persdotter