As a former Girl Scout, lifeguard, teacher, and most of all the daughter of a doctor who ended every phone conversation with “be cautious,” I’m well-schooled when it comes to safety and common sense. And since my dad was my first and longest-running golf companion, a lot of these tips were shared on the golf course.

But even though I’ve got a little voice in my head (I call her Nelly-know-it-all) telling me all the shoulds and should nots of life, I’m still human.

In other words, I’m still prone to do somewhat careless (and not-so-smart) things on and off the course. And guess what? I notice others doing these things too. All the time.  So, in an effort to make us all a bit safer and our rounds smoother, I’m going to share some basic safety info and common sense golf-related recommendations that can help us next time we’re on the course.

But don’t worry, I’m not going to insult your intelligence by calling the items below tips. No, let’s just say they’re gentle reminders of the things we all need to remember every time we play. 

1. Slow Your Train, Tammy

Let’s talk about getting to the golf course safely – your trip there isn’t supposed to be a remake of the Bat Out of Hell album. But I get it – it’s not like golf is the only thing on our agendas. Never mind making it to your tee time; sometimes simply getting out of the house takes an act of God. There are a million reasons for this – your teenager hid the car keys, your boss called a last minute Zoom, and worst of all, you’re starving and have exactly three seconds to find something in your empty fridge. We’ve all been there. But please, when you get behind the wheel, remember it’s a car, not a crazy train. Stop and take a breath. Then buckle up and take it slow. Hitting the garage won’t get you to the course any faster, nor will a ticket or an accident. You’ll get there – just pay attention and be safe.  

2. Don’t Forget to Stretch, Stacey

Congrats, you made it to the course. Now warm up properly so you don’t injure yourself. I know touching your toes doesn’t exactly sound like a safety standard, but it does help prevent injuries or pulled muscles. Plus, it helps your game.  So if possible, stretch, hit some balls, and take some time to prepare mentally and physically before teeing off.

3. Prepare to Play, Patty

Is there anything worse than being thirsty or hungry in the middle of a round? Obviously, not, so fill up your Stanley Cup and throw a protein bar or piece of fruit in your bag to stop the hangries from crashing your foursome. Besides the fact that playing thirsty or hungry is downright miserable (and not great for your game), it can also be a health concern. You don’t want to get dehydrated, faint, or overheat. Finally, if you’ve got a medical condition – say you’re allergic to bees, diabetic, or have something else that could require immediate attention, it doesn’t hurt to carry your meds and let your golf buddies know of any potential conditions. 

4. But Wait, Wendy. There’s More… 

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to stocking your bag for a round. Don’t forget sunscreen, a hat, and sun protective clothing. Nobody wants a burn, heat stroke or worse. (And let’s not even get started with how the sun ages us…) 

When the weather isn’t so balmy, bring something to keep you warm – a jacket, maybe hand warmer for between holes… whatever you need.  Also, pack an umbrella in case of rain and then be on alert for the “get off the course now” siren. And then seek shelter! 

5. Head on a Swivel, Sasha

As someone with ADD, I should be reading, not writing this tip. So I’ll share the things I need to do. Don’t get trapped in your own world and forget to keep an eye on other players and where they are in relation to you.  Get out of their way when they’re up, and use proper judgment when hitting your own ball. Nailing someone with a drive isn’t the way to make new friends. Neither is driving like a madwoman and putting your passenger at risk. Be a safe cart driver and pay attention while driving. This also helps you avoid accidentally entering “no cart zones” where your cart gets stopped cold and you have to back your way to civilization. That’s never fun. Finally, pay attention to where you park the cart – try to stay on level ground, and take it slow on curvy cart paths and hills. I think you know why. 

6. Here’s the Dealio, Delilah

Listen. Linda. Want to know the secret to a round that’s fun, well played, and safe? 

We need to have common sense and stay present. Because as it turns out, when we do that… we actually tend to enjoy ourselves. 

And isn’t that what it’s all about? 

Let’s get to it, and remember the old adage (that I just made up):

A safe golfer is a happy golfer. 

Enjoy your next round!