Your Biggest Pet Peeves on The Golf Course

If you are reading this article, then, like us, it's likely that you are someone who absolutely loves golf. However, that doesn't mean that there aren't things about it that won't get on your nerves.

Golfers have all sorts of pet peeves that they encounter on the course, but what are the most common ones? That was a question we put out to the Golfshake Community on Facebook and the responses we received raised several recurring frustrations that many out there will find relatable.

Let's take a closer look at what issues were raised, what was said, and whether it's something that you also feel strongly about.

Litter

There really isn't any excuse for this, on a golf course or elsewhere in life, but littering is a frequent complaint that we received, as Thomas Buchanan and Scott Estes both reported seeing beer cans left at venues, while Frances Davies said: "Why are some so lazy, just put it in the bin."

It not only detracts from the aesthetics of the course and potentially undermines the tireless work of greenkeepers, it also raises environmental and ecological concerns, but perhaps more than anything else, like most of the pet peeves raised in this article, it reflects a disregard for how one's actions can impact others.

Slow Play

Whether it's on tour or the monthly medal at your golf club, there probably isn't a more discussed complaint in the game than slow play, as questions are frequently asked about what causes it and what the solutions are. 

Ian Goldsworthy, Paul Hendrick, Adam Park and Mark Broderick were among the golfers who identified this as their chief frustration, and it's easy to understand why as no one wants to be standing for interminable periods on tees and fairways waiting for an opportunity to hit their next shot, while many of us simply can't afford to spend extended hours on the golf course.

Ready Golf is often encouraged to combat slow play, but perhaps greater awareness of others is an even simpler solution, as James Legg suggests: "Slow play is fine so long as they are considerate enough to let faster players through. This simple act costs the slow player no time and keeps the course moving at a reasonable pace."

Fast Play

Well then, countering that point, have you considered the effect that fast play can have? Clearly, what constitutes that is down to the individual, but it's also apparent that golfers don't want to feel rushed when they go around the course, instead desiring the opportunity to take in the environment, marinate within those surroundings, and embrace the entire experience.

Kevin Hunt asked: "Why can't people relax and enjoy themselves?" and Dean Procter echoed that sentiment when commenting: "I haven't played for a good while for various reasons, but I'd hate to think I've got to rush all the way round. I'm there to get away from all that."

When it comes to pace of play, there should be a medium ground found to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy the game as they wish.

Unraked Bunkers

If you face the penalty of hitting a shot into a bunker, then you probably shouldn't be ungrateful when you find a difficult lie, but when that situation has been the result of someone either not raking a bunker or doing so inadequately, then it's only natural that you're going to feel a little hard done by.

Golfshake's Derek Clements said: "Unraked bunkers!!! Without a doubt" when it came to identifying his biggest golfing pet peeve.

Just taking a few extra moments to carefully rake a bunker after you've played from it is an act that will be appreciated by other golfers, but it's something that a significant minority of players repeatedly don't accomplish well enough.

Not Repairing Pitchmarks & Replacing Divots

Likewise, not repairing pitchmarks or replacing divots on fairways is something that, again, doesn't take long but can have a positive impact on both the experience of your fellow golfers and also the health and condition of the course itself.

If you step onto a green and see lots of bumps and pitchmarks, it would be a good habit to repair a few yourself, but even better would be if golfers ensured that they addressed those themselves every time, which would ensure better greens and happier members and visitors.

As Lee Welch said on Facebook: "Pitchmarks, just pure laziness, it takes 10 seconds to repair a pitchmark so there are no excuses."

When it comes to pet peeves on the golf course, it's obvious now that many of them are widely shared by others, meaning that efforts to address them should be universally welcomed.

Related Content

Are These The Worst Things About Golf

Golf Etiquette That All Golfers Should Follow

What Gets On Your Nerves at The Golf Course

14 Things That ALL Golfers HATE

13 Things That Drive Golfers Insane

The 3 Things That Most Annoy Golfers

The Most Overrated Things About Golf

Old Fashioned Golf Club Rules That Need to Go