IN THIS ISSUE...

Test Your Sporting Etiquette

Click here to check your answers.

1. Captains of boats over twenty feet long prefer if you to refer to their boat as a yacht.
   No. It is called a boat unless it is a ship.

2. After the first hole, the person with the highest score tees off first.
   No. The person with the lowest score tees off first.

3. Women always tee off first.
   No. If men or women tee off from the same distance, then either one can go first. If the men's tee is farther from the cup than the women's, the men tee off first.

4. If you are a very good golfer, it is good sportsmanship to warn everyone of the fact.
   No. You needn't remark about your expertise. This will become evident when you play; let others discover it.

5. When the cheque comes to your host in a private members club you should ask what the total of the bill is and at least offer to split it.
   No. The host will sign the chit and will be billed for it at the end of the month. Repay your host in some other way. Your menu will not show prices, don't ask.

6. When a stray tennis ball lands in your court, just let it be.
   No. Toss it back whenever you can without interrupting your game.

7. In golf, never step on the imaginary line running between a player's ball and the cup.
   True.

8. As on the fairway, the first player to putt is the one whose ball is farthest from the cup.
   True.

9. If you've been invited to a private club, it is ok to inspect the facilities as long as the doorman or person in charge has the name of the person who invited you.
   No. You should not wander around the club but remain in the reception area until your host arrives. Do not order food or drink while you wait.

10. You can wear whatever you want to a private club as dress codes are a thing of the past.
    No. Many clubs have a dress code and to avoid embarrassing your host you should inquire about what is expected.

Tip of the Month

The main goal of sporting activities in business is to do everything possible to make the experience enjoyable for your guest.  Determine what specific goal you want to achieve with your guest and then develop a plan for achieving your goal.

Country Club Customs

"Meet me my club at 1:00" he said. "We'll have a spot of lunch and hit the courts at 2:30." If this is your first invitation to a private club and you aren't familiar with some of the ins and outs, you might find this invitation a little daunting. Or perhaps you don't give it a second thought, and that could spell disaster for you. Here are a few things you should know.

Private clubs are supported and governed solely by their membership. Although a club may seem conservative or stuffy to you, it would be wise to keep these thoughts to yourself. Certainly don't share them with your host! Don't be a "nosey Parker"; overly curious. Please don't quiz your host about membership dues, other members, club expenses, or make comparisons to other clubs. Many clubs still maintain an air of exclusivity and to become a member you must be sponsored by a member. It's important to remember it is never appropriate to ask someone you don't know well, to sponsor you.

Most clubs are well appointed and traditions are important. Usually there is a first class restaurant, a lounge, library, various fitness facilities and expert staff to serve you. When you are invited as a guest it is important to ask your host about the dress code because many clubs have strict dress codes. Both you and your host would be embarrassed if you showed up over or under dressed for the occasion. If you are too shy to ask about what to wear, call the club's office and find out.

When you arrive at the club, identify yourself by giving your name and the name of the member who invited you. Wait for your host in the reception area or the room where you are escorted. Don't order food or a drink and don't start wandering around the club. You should not enter the lounge, library or other areas unless escorted by your host. Obey all signs such as ‘Do Not Enter" or ‘Members Only', unless you are invited to enter.

Don't discuss business in the public areas of the club or take cell phone calls. Have your beeper turned off. Many clubs have private meeting rooms where business can be discussed.

Don't tip anyone such as the locker room attendant or caddy until you ask your host about the club's policy. Brush up on your dining etiquette. You can expect first class or formal service. Prices are often omitted from the menu; don't ask about them. When the check arrives, don't offer to pay. Your host will sign for food, beverages and services and is billed at the end of the month. You may wish to reciprocate the hospitality by inviting your host to your club or entertaining him in a nice restaurant at some time in the future. If your host is a close friend and you visit the club often and want to slip him a few bills, do this off the premises when no one can observe.

Always be on your best behaviour just as if you were in your host's home; respectful, at ease, and confident. Your actions reflect on you, your company, and particularly on your host. If you are rude or misbehave in anyway, not only will he be embarrassed, he will likely have to account for it in some way. Follow these guidelines, enjoy the opportunity, thank your host, and don't forget to send a hand written thank you note; on your very best stationary of course.

Teeing (Not Ticking) Off
The Etiquette of Golf

The signs of summer are here: we've shed our scarves and boots at long last and packed away our skates and skis for another year. Our thoughts turn to warm weather pursuits; gardening perhaps, or camping, boating, tennis, and of course, golf.

Perhaps your company sponsors a golf day. It may seem like a great opportunity for you to stay back and catch up on all that paper work. But is it? Golf today is not just a game; a great deal of business is conducted on the golf course. While you are cleaning up your "in" box, people are getting to know one another on a different level, ideas and opinions are being exchanged, friendships and relationships are being developed, and decisions are being made. You aren't getting caught up, you're being left out.

Perhaps your boss or a new client has asked you to join him in a round at his club. You are anxious to develop your business relationship further so you agree. Are you kicking yourself afterward because you haven't been on a golf course for ages? Perhaps you have never played and haven't a clue about the rules or protocol. What should you do?

First of all, never pretend you know how to play if you don't. If you remember the classic Honeymooners episode, like Ralph Kramden, you'll only get into trouble and look foolish later. Be honest about your abilities, take lessons and read up on the sport.

It is important to know and follow the rules and etiquette of the game. Players are guests of the golf course whether it's a public or private course. They are expected to take care of the grounds and be attentive and courteous to other golfers. Here are some tips to help you finesse your way through a round of golf.

Familiarize yourself with the rules and guidelines of the club, including the dress code. Many clubs favour conservative attire. Local course rules are often posted in the clubhouse, in the pro shop, or on the back of the score card; read them before you play.

Always call for a starting or "tee off" time, arrive on time and ready to play. Check in at least ten minutes before start time.

Do not take your golf bag into the pro shop while you check in. You should not leave it unattended, but you may leave it at the bag stand provided by the club.

Do your stretching exercises and practice swings before you get to the first tee. Shake hands with the other players, smile, and wish them good luck. Be ready to play when it is your turn and take only one practice swing before you take your shot.

Choose the course length that is best for you. Red is short yardage, white is medium and blue is long yardage. If men and women tee off at the same distance, either may start first. The men's tee is usually farther from the cup than the women's, and the men tee off first. After the first hole, the person with the lowest score on the previous hole tees off first.

Out of consideration for players behind you and to save time, move quickly to the next tee and mark your scores from the last hole there. If the group behind you has fewer players than your group and there is space ahead of you, consider letting them play through. Be ready to play as soon as the group in front of you is safely out of range.

If you are waiting while someone is swinging remember three things, silence, stillness and distance. Don't speak or move and stand to the side and behind the flight line of the ball. Watch the flight of another person's ball so you can confirm their direction if necessary. Yell "fore" if you think a ball may hit someone. If the shot is a good one, acknowledge it. If you happen to be riding on the cart path when someone is about to take a swing, you should stop the cart and wait until they are done.

Everyone should volunteer to find a lost ball. If you lose a ball and do not find it within five minutes, let the group behind you play though.

Be prepared to play as soon as you reach the green, not when it is your turn to putt. Don't stand with your group on the green after you've all holed out; move on.

Pull carts should not be taken onto tees and putting greens. Motorized carts should be left at the exit to the green. There should be no more than two people in a motorized cart and be sure to keep to the cart path.

Repair divots and pitch marks and rake away your foot steps in the sand trap. If there isn't a rake available use the back of a club. Remember to leave the area in the same condition you found it. This means picking up broken tees and litter.

When the game is over, always shake hands and congratulate the winners. Thank other players for a good game and for inviting you to join them. And as always, write a handwritten thank you note to your host. Good golfing, and have fun!

Ruder Than Rude

We have all encountered rudeness in everyday life. Sometimes, however, there are situations which are so bad they are almost unbelievable. Here is your chance to tell the world about your most outstanding experience with rudeness.

Thank you readers for your submissions to Ruder Than Rude. For this month I have chosen one submission that relates to Social Etiquette.

"I recently was in Edmonton on business and met up for drinks with a handsome former friend from university who is remarkably still single. We met in a casual but upscale sports bar with a number of large televisions in various parts of the lounge. I sat facing out of the room with my back to one of those huge TV's. Although he was facing me, my friend had a clear view of the television behind me.

We had just begun getting caught up when another gentleman, who has made quite a name for himself in the sports world, joined us unexpectedly. From then on the conversation was about various sporting events and sports personalities I had never heard of. I was feeling a little awkward but did my best to appear interested and make a few intelligent comments. Whenever I said something, they didn't even pretend to listen. They looked right past me, watched the television, and then made comments like "what a shot" and "that should have been a foul." This continued for the rest of the evening. I felt like a third wheel."

     Linda S., Communications Editor, Calgary, AB

(You were! After a valiant attempt to join in I might have been tempted to excuse myself and say, "You two have a lot to catch up on, you must excuse me, enjoy your evening." Breaking eye contact, or eyes wandering around the room, is a good sign the person is not really listening or not interested in what you are saying. It is always rude to make someone feel excluded or uncomfortable. Could this be a clue to why this handsome fellow is still single? LF)

All Aboard!
Sailing Etiquette for Landlubbers

It's a beautiful day and the boss has asked you to join him for a days sailing. If you are an accomplished sailor, which doesn't happen overnight, you will be familiar with what is expected. If you are a novice, even though he would find out soon enough that you are inexperienced, you should let the captain know beforehand. Watch Martin Short in the movie "Captain Ron," and you'll know there is no way you should, or could, fake it. Ask questions and familiarize yourself with a few basic sailing terms.

There is definitely a nautical look when it comes to sailing fashion, but unless you are at a spiffy club, no one will throw you overboard for wearing an Hawaiian shirt. The most important item will be your shoes. Wear deck shoes on board or simple tennis shoes. If it's a nice day you might want to wear a bathing suit under a layer of clothing. You should have a waterproof windbreaker, sunglasses and a hat. It can get chilly if you are out in open water even on a warm day, so be prepared. However, just bring the basics because there is not always a lot of room to stow personal gear. You might ask the captain about this.

When you get on board, ask the captain where he would like you to sit and what you can do to help. Most captains enjoy showing you what's what and explaining sailing vernacular.

If you are planning to bring a gift for your host or a contribution to a meal served on board, ask about the galley facilities. Is there refrigeration? Is there a place to cook? Ask what would be appropriate. Should you bring a bottle of wine?

Always follow the captains' orders. It is not a democracy, and although no one appreciates a Captain Blithe, when a captain gives a command with a sense of urgency, he expects you to carry out his wishes immediately, without asking a lot of questions. It could be a matter of life or death. If you don't know how to help, stay out of the way.

If you think you might be sea sick, take medication for it. Although you might be tempted to go below when you feel sick, stay on deck and focus on the horizon. It will help.

Ask the captain what washroom facilities are on board. If there is no ‘head', and you will be out for some time, you may want to use the rest room before leaving shore.

Be aware that sailors enjoy the sailing experience; the pleasure is in the journey. Unless you are in a race, getting to the destination in the shortest possible time is not the objective. If you are impatient, you probably won't like sailing. If you enjoy the sun on your face, swish of the waves, and the thrill of moving along with just the wind in the sails, welcome aboard!

Tennis Anyone?

As with any other sporting activity, arrive on time, early if possible, and be ready to play. Wear the correct tennis attire according to the club's criteria. Some club's dress codes are less restrictive than others, but white is always appropriate. And of course, wear tennis shoes.

Here are some more tips to help you out:

• Greet your opponent cordially with a handshake and a smile.
• Bring your own balls and equipment. If you don't own any, rent rather than borrow. Remember, many players don't like to lend their equipment so it's best not to ask.
• Unless you are playing in a refereed competition, rules are enforced by the players, so honesty is the only policy to play by.
• Don't cross another court of players to get to your own court.
• Don't retrieve your stray ball from another court while their ball is still in play.
• If a stray ball lands in your court, toss it back as soon as you can when there is a break in your game.
• Call out of bounds on your side of the net.
• Don't return saves that are out.
• If your opponent makes a lousy call, say nothing.
• Say the score after every point.
• Don't interrupt other players while they are playing; wait for a break in their game.

If you are playing with someone at a different level of expertise in play, try to make it enjoyable for your guest. If you are an accomplished player and your opponent is a beginner, don't destroy her in play; be encouraging. If you are the amateur playing a more accomplished player, be honest about your ability and ask for advice. The object of the game is to have fun.