There has been a lot of buzz about golf etiquette and the lack of it at this year’s Solheim Cup. I’m writing this post on Sunday morning – Day 3 of the Solheim Tournament. USA team is a full 4 points down and it will take a miracle to dig themselves out of this hole and win the cup back.
Although I am rooting for the Americans, I can’t help but admire the European team. They played “lights out,” especially on Saturday afternoon. Yes, there was that horrible 27 – 35 minute delay earlier in the day when the official couldn’t figure out where a wayward ball should be dropped. That delay killed the USA momentum and put every player’s teeth on edge. But there is no excuse for some of the later behavior exhibited by a couple of members of the USA team.
I’m focused on the walk-off the green by Jessica Korda and Michelle Wie after Wie sunk her putt. There are a lot more interesting moments to talk about re: the Solheim… but this one caught my attention because it is a situation in which many amateur golfers get caught as well. I thought it worth a comment.
Here’s the scenario: There was a lot of energy on the course. The USA team was down and feeling the pressure. Michelle Wie had been missing some critical putts all afternoon so when she finally nailed one, she pumped her fist in the air and walked off the green with Korda in tow, heading for the next tee box with caddies and crowd following along behind. Duh!? She left behind the Europeans who still needed to putt.
This is one of those small events that was probably done in the enthusiasm of the moment, without thinking of the consequences or the apparent rudeness… MorningDrive on GolfChannel had it as one of their main topics this morning… predicting the USA breach of golf etiquette would just bring more trouble to an already discouraged USA team.
They may be right. But my point in bringing your attention to this small moment, is that it happens a lot in golf, and it should not. Whether you’re excited because you made the putt, or are just too angry at yourself for missing, the right thing to do is to stay on the green, and wait for the other players to finish whatever they are doing. All balls holed. Then you move.
Just me saying. It’s a small gripe. And I’m as guilty as the rest. I promise to behave. How about you?
Golf etiquette is one of the most important parts of the game of golf. The golf etiquette (or the lack of it) that you display on the course will say more about you as a golfer and a person that anything you ever do with your clubs.
Agree absolutely. One of my pet peeves about golf cart drivers is their utter disregard for nearby golfers when they race on by. Can be very disturbing.