[비즈한국] Golf is, no matter what anyone says, a sport of manners and etiquette. Manners refer more to one's posture and attitude, while etiquette refers to the rules or promises that must be kept. In golf, manners are about having a heart of consideration for others. Since four golfers play their own game without a referee, having a cautious and considerate attitude so as not to disturb or inconvenience one's playing partners is what manners are all about.
There is a saying, "A single-digit handicap in score, but a beginner in manners." Most golfers want to play with those who are better than themselves—the experts—but golf scores and manners are not necessarily proportional. During a 4 to 5-hour round, you encounter many moments that reveal what a person’s manners are truly like.
One of these is the "manner of praise" for a partner's nice shot. Some golfers willingly cheer and celebrate someone else's "shot of the day" as if it were their own, while others focus only on their own game without any reaction. While soulless, mechanical reactions aren't exactly great either, the complete lack of response from a partner can really drain the energy of the team playing those 18 holes together.
In fact, golf manners begin with making the appointment and booking the tee time. There are partners who voice complaints like: "It's too far from my house," "Why is the green fee so expensive?" or "The course is too difficult, so I won't get a good score." If they had good manners, wouldn't they have said something like, "That's a course I’ve been wanting to visit, thanks!" or "Thanks for your effort. I'm glad I get to try a place I've never been to thanks to you"?
Among the ways to show consideration for partners, "carpooling" is where that heart is most clearly revealed. South Korea is a small country, but the drive to golf courses can be long. As you hunt for cheaper options, the courses get further and further away. Haven't you had the conversation, "If we go a little further east..." followed by, "At this rate, we'll hit the East Sea"? Carpooling has many benefits. You save on gas and tolls, and except for the driver, you can even enjoy a drink after the round. Best of all, instead of the boredom of driving alone for a long time, you can fill the time on the road with all sorts of golf talk.
Of course, the same applies on the way back. No matter how long the drive, golf chatter shortens the psychological distance and time. But in reality, carpooling is the starting point of golf etiquette. Whose car will we take? Where will we meet? What benefits will we provide to the person bringing their car and driving?
Sometimes, you have to pick up a "boss" for business reasons. You might have to go out of your way to pick them up, even if it's not on your way. You reassure them by saying, "It's okay, I actually like driving," as you head to the pickup point. Most people who drive for carpools say, "I enjoy driving," but I have strong doubts about how truthful that really is. Furthermore, who would want to drive for a long time after finishing a round, feeling exhausted?
Let’s talk about a few carpool etiquette rules that must be kept. The first is: "Let the person wait for the car, not the car for the person." I don't think the message a driver wants to receive most is, "Call me when you arrive, I'll come down then." I've even seen people take 10 minutes to come down. You are carpooling, not hiring a private chauffeur.
The second is to "meet in the middle" if the routes are awkward for both parties. There are plenty of public parking lots if you look. The third is to "be waiting at the entrance." These days, the entry procedures for apartment complexes you don't live in are complicated; you have to give your phone number and even your building and unit number. Isn't it better to wait right in front of the main gate if possible?
The fourth is to provide benefits to the driver. You can chip in for gas money, or treat them to a meal. A "driver mulligan" is also a good idea. One of the many theories behind the origin of the "mulligan" is that it started as a courtesy for a golfer who made a mistake on their first tee shot after a long drive to the course. The fifth is: "Don't fall asleep in the passenger seat." The driver is likely even more tired, and having someone sleep next to you makes you even drowsier. Try to engage the driver in conversation. I once had a partner who fell asleep one minute after getting into the car on the way back from a round and didn't wake up until we arrived. It was only an hour and a half, but it was the longest and most difficult drive ever.
To reiterate, golf is a sport of manners. It starts with "carpool manners." If you pay a little bit of attention, the joy of going together will increase. Let’s not forget: "Manners maketh the golfer."
About the author, Kang Chan-wook?
An advertiser and writer. Starting as a copywriter at Cheil Worldwide, he is currently the CEO of the video production company 'Sidae-ui Siseon' (Vision of the Times). A golf enthusiast, he obtained a USGTF teaching professional certification, and out of his love for writing, he has authored golf books such as 'The Joy of Golf,' 'Bad Golf,' 'Sincere Golf,' and 'Golf Thoughts, Thinking Golf.' He runs the YouTube channel 'Bad Golf,' sharing various stories and thoughts about golf with readers and viewers.