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Golf Etiquette: Unwritten Rules Every Player Should Know

Good golf etiquette is the invisible thread that ensures every round is enjoyable and respectful for all, from maintaining pace to giving fellow golfers the space and silence they need.

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Golf is a game steeped in tradition, where respect for others and the course itself is as vital as a solid swing. While every golfer knows the official rules, the sport’s unwritten etiquette is equally crucial to ensure everyone has an enjoyable round. Here, we’ll explore the subtle, sometimes unspoken expectations that every golfer should keep in mind. Following these customs not only reflects good sportsmanship but also preserves the spirit of the game, making it more pleasant for everyone on the course.

The Art of Silence and Focus

The quietness surrounding a golf swing is sacred. When a player steps up to take their shot, an invisible hush should fall over the group. Movement, sounds from golf bags, and even casual chatter can disrupt focus, which is why silence and stillness are essential. Observing this courtesy isn’t merely about “keeping it down”—it’s about showing respect for each player’s concentration.

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Pace of Play: Finding the Balance

Maintaining a good pace of play is a skill in itself, one that separates considerate golfers from frustrating ones. No one wants to be rushed, but equally, nobody enjoys waiting endlessly on the fairway. Playing “ready golf” is key: be prepared for your turn, assess your shot while others play, and avoid unnecessary delays. If you’re searching for a lost ball, keep the search under the five-minute rule, and if there’s a hold-up, allow faster groups to play through. Pacing is about balancing respect for your own game with consideration for everyone else on the course.

Repairing the Course as You Go

Each golfer has a responsibility to leave the course in good condition. This means replacing divots, raking bunkers, and fixing pitch marks on the green. These small acts of care are gestures of respect not only for the course but for the golfers who follow. Neglecting to repair the course can create a ripple effect, impacting every player who comes after you. It’s like saying “thank you” to the course, acknowledging that the land is shared and deserves respect.

Respecting Personal Space

Personal space on the course might seem trivial, but it matters. Every player deserves a clear, undistracted area to line up their shot, consider their swing, and execute their play. Crowding can make even the most experienced golfer feel rushed or uncomfortable. Standing directly behind someone as they prepare to putt or lingering too close as they size up their drive can break their focus. Golf is a game that requires thought and precision, and respecting physical space helps preserve that mental zone for each player.

Cheering and Applause, Not Celebration Overload

Golf is unique in that it embraces restrained celebration. We cheer with smiles, nods, and polite applause—not with wild fist pumps or over-the-top celebrations. While a high-five or clap is perfect after a good shot, a big reaction on the green can disrupt nearby players. Golf’s elegance lies in its controlled celebration, a recognition of achievement without taking away from the game’s meditative flow.

Technology on the Tee: The Phone Dilemma

In the age of smartphones, staying “unplugged” on the course is an unwritten courtesy. Silencing your phone, resisting the urge to answer calls, and saving social media updates for the clubhouse is considered respectful. Modern life may demand constant connection, but golf offers a rare opportunity to disconnect and fully engage with the game and your companions. The quiet and focus of the course are preserved when phones are left tucked away.

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One of the Greatest Putts in U.S. Open History?

JJ Spaun’s 64-Foot Walk-Off

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When JJ Spaun stood over a 64-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole of the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont, few could have predicted what would come next. The ball meandered across the slick green, trickling over every contour, picking up speed at the crest, and then—like it had GPS—dropped center cup. Spaun dropped his putter, raised his arms, and the crowd erupted. With that single stroke, he claimed his first major title in one of the most dramatic finishes in U.S. Open history.

But how does Spaun’s putt stack up against other legendary finishes in the tournament’s storied past? Let’s break down some of the most iconic moments and see where this one lands.


1. Payne Stewart – 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst

Perhaps the most iconic putt in U.S. Open history came from Payne Stewart, who nailed a 15-footer for par on the 18th to win by one over Phil Mickelson. The pose—fist pump and outstretched leg—has since been immortalized in a statue at Pinehurst. What made it legendary wasn’t just the putt—it was the context: Stewart’s final major before his tragic death just months later.

Verdict: Iconic and emotional. Spaun’s putt was longer, but Stewart’s was more poetic.


2. Tiger Woods – 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines

Woods drained a 12-foot birdie on the 72nd hole to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate—while basically playing on one leg. That tournament went to sudden death after an 18-hole playoff, and Tiger prevailed. This was peak Tiger drama, pain and all.

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Verdict: Spaun’s putt was longer, but Tiger’s win was sheer willpower and mystique.


3. Jack Nicklaus – 1972 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach

With a 1-iron shot that hit the flagstick on 17 and a crucial birdie putt on 18, Jack sealed a dominant win. His precision and timing under pressure showed why he’s the GOAT.

Verdict: Not a putt for the win, but a signature finishing statement from Jack. Spaun’s was more electric in terms of pure putter drama.


4. Ben Hogan – 1950 U.S. Open at Merion

Hogan’s 1-iron into the 18th fairway and the par to force a playoff—just 16 months after a near-fatal car crash—remain legendary. He won the playoff and completed one of golf’s great comeback stories.

Verdict: Larger-than-life comeback. Spaun’s putt had more flair, but Hogan’s win was heroic.


5. JJ Spaun – 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont

Let’s not underestimate what Spaun accomplished. The pressure was immense. He wasn’t the favorite. And on the most treacherous greens in golf, he buried a 64-foot bomb—a putt most players would be happy to lag to within 5 feet—to win the U.S. Open outright.

Verdict: For distance, surprise, and drama, Spaun’s putt may be the most shocking winning stroke in U.S. Open history.


Final Thoughts

JJ Spaun may not have the résumé of a Nicklaus or Woods, but for one Sunday afternoon in June 2025, he created a moment that will live in golf lore forever. Spaun’s putt was longer than Stewart’s, more unexpected than Tiger’s, and more dramatic than any final-hole finish in recent memory.

In terms of pure clutch putting? It might just be the greatest walk-off in U.S. Open history.


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The Zen of the Shank: Finding Inner Peace in Your Worst Shots

Find your inner peace even when you aren’t playing well.

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Ah, the shank. That glorious, unpredictable misfire that sends your pristine golf ball screaming sideways, often directly into the unsuspecting shins of your playing partner, or perhaps, with a touch of poetic irony, into the very lake you’ve been trying to avoid all day. Most golfers, bless their earnest little hearts, view the shank as a catastrophic failure, a blight upon their scorecard, a testament to their inherent lack of coordination. They curse, they throw clubs, they contemplate a career in competitive thumb-wrestling. But not I. No, my friends, for I, Ty Webb, have found enlightenment in the humble shank.

You see, the shank is not a mistake; it’s a revelation. It’s the universe’s way of reminding you that control is an illusion, that perfection is a myth, and that sometimes, the most direct path to your goal is, in fact, a wildly indirect one. Think of it as a philosophical detour, a sudden, unexpected journey into the unknown. One moment, you’re aiming for the green, a paragon of precision and intent. The next, your ball is ricocheting off a tree, narrowly missing a squirrel, and landing, by some divine comedic intervention, closer to the hole than your perfectly struck drive ever would have. Is that not a miracle? Is that not a sign that the golf gods, much like life itself, have a wicked sense of humor?

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The key, my dear apprentices of the links, is acceptance. Embrace the shank. Welcome it with open arms, like a long-lost, slightly inebriated relative. When that familiar, sickening thwack echoes through the air, do not despair. Instead, take a deep breath. Close your eyes. Feel the gentle breeze on your face. And then, with a knowing smile, open them and observe the chaos you have wrought. Is it not beautiful in its own chaotic way? Is there not a certain freedom in relinquishing control, in allowing the ball to choose its own destiny, however bizarre that destiny may be?

Some say the shank is a sign of poor technique. I say it’s a sign of a vibrant, untamed spirit. A golfer who never shanks is a golfer who has never truly lived, never truly explored the outer limits of their own golfing absurdity. They are content with mediocrity, with predictable trajectories and mundane outcomes. But you, my enlightened few, you understand that the true joy of golf lies not in the score, but in the story. And what a story a good shank can tell.

So, the next time you feel that familiar tremor of a shank brewing, don’t fight it. Let it flow. Let it be. For in the heart of every shank lies a lesson, a laugh, and perhaps, just perhaps, a path to a lower score you never saw coming. After all, as the great philosopher Basho once said, “A flute with no holes, is not a flute. A donut with no hole, is a Danish.” And a golf game without a shank? Well, that’s just not golf, is it?

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Meet The Canadian Open Qualifier Tied To ClickIt Golf!

“This week was incredible,” he said. “A dream come true.”

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Josh Goldenberg doesn’t plan to quit his day job. But he had a great time dabbling in his old career.

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He gave up on pro golf, then qualified for his first PGA Tour event.

Read the full story here
https://golf.com/news/josh-goldenberg-rbc-canadian-open/?amp=1

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