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22 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | MAY 2022 | By Brian Garlington, PGA, Director of Golf For the purpose of this article, consider the following definitions of good players and good golfers. Good players have low handicaps, usually hit the ball a mile, and occasionally post very low scores. Good golfers fill divots, repair ball marks, and practice good etiquette each and every time they are on the course. For those who wish to become better golfers, here are the ways you can help your course the most. 1. Repair your pitch marks (properly!) Few sights in golf are sadder than a pock-marked green, rough and cratered like the surface of the moon. Fix every mark you make and while you're at it, fix a few others. Just make sure to do it correctly. Though you can use a tee to do the job, a divot-repair tool is more efficient. A common error is to dig down and pull up, which can tear the grass roots and kill the turf. The proper technique is to work around the pitch mark, pulling the surrounding turf toward the center of the depression, as shown here. 2. Fill divots (properly!) "To the level of the earth, not the level of the turf." That's your rhyming guide to filling fairway divots. After filling your divot with sand, sweep the area smooth with your feet so that it's even with the ground and not the top of the grass. Leaving behind little humps of sand is a problem for two reasons. Not only does it dull mower blades, but it also allows new grass to germinate above the level of the soil, resulting in uneven patches in the fairway. 3. Rake bunkers Among the first rules of etiquette taught to young players are to rake the bunker smooth of footprints and repair divots after the shot. Unfortunately, either through laziness or disdain, many players refuse to extend this courtesy to their fellow golfers. Shoving sand around with your foot or the clubhead is no substitute for raking. Also, when you find yourself in a bunker, you should enter on the low side. Climbing up and down the steep side of the sand is bad for the integrity of the bunker. It's also a good way to turn your ankle. Exit the bunker the same way you entered, taking care to tap your shoes clean so you don't track sand onto the green. Though sandy footprints don't damage turf, you owe that simple kindness to the groups behind you. 4. Keep Carts on Paths near Greens and Tees Nothing causes more damage to golf courses than the improper use of golf carts. The problems are many, and most could easily be prevented with common sense. One of the most common is players driving their carts on the banks of tees and green surrounds. Driving too close to the greens is particularly troublesome since the wear and tear on the turf in this area directly affects playing quality. Also, these areas are frequently irrigated and therefore more susceptible to damage. Hopefully these simple course care tips and etiquette reminders help you become a better golfer. Good Golfing! How To Be A Good Golfer

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