I have in my time heard so many players complain about the condition of the golf courses they play. But are they doing their share to help the situation?

Do you complain about bad lies in the bunkers? Well, are you careful about raking them when you are finished playing your shot? Did you land in a divot in the fairway? Do you always replace yours? Or better yet take some sand and seed, supplied by most courses and fill them in? Do you ever act in anger on the putting green and make marks with your spikes or with your club? Or be careless when walking on the green?

Etiquette begins here. It is as important as giving deference to your fellow competitors during a round.

I’m sorry if I seem like I’m scolding, but I have seen the greens keepers take the brunt of criticism for the condition of the golf course.

The staff at a golf course can only do so much. They can’t fix divot marks on the green or spike marks. If you don’t know how to properly fix ball marks on a green, ask the pro in the golf shop to tell you how. It is an art. And not just for the next group to play, but for the preservation of the greens.

Of course not all players will do this, so why not fix a couple more while you’re at it? This game we love and the equity in the rules requires this care, don’t you think? So please be a part of the spirit of the game and do your share of keeping the course as pure as it can be. Enough said.

Rules teaser

In a mixed foursomes alternate shot competition where the men play the back tees and the women play the front tees, a male player hits his tee shot out of bounds. The next female player should play the next shot from the forward tee. True or false?

Answer to last column’s teaser:

In match play, a hole was conceded on the basis of a false claim. When it was later noticed that the claim was false, may the concession be withdrawn? No. Once a concession is made, it cannot be overturned.

John Lucas is the professional at SkyRidge Golf Course and can be reached at john98382@olypen.com.