Golf Etiquette Displayed in High Schooler’s Recent Decision Etiquette is one of the most interesting aspects of the game of golf. Some aspects of golf etiquette are written in the rules, while others are established by the tradition of the game, passed down from generation to generation. Integrity is highly valued, arguably more so in golf than in any other sport. Imagine being a high school teenager, ready to compete alongside your team in a state tournament. You recognize an error you’ve made, and reporting it would cost you and your team a chance to compete in the state tournament. What would you do?

Kaylee Gossen Faced This Exact Situation

Kaylee Gossen, a junior at Marshall High School in Minnesota was confronted with this dilemma a few weeks ago. After completing a round, she compared her scorecard with the scorecard her parents kept for her and realized there was a scoring mistake on the 16th hole. Unfortunately, she had already signed her scorecard and submitted it to tournament officials.

What Did Gossen Do?

Gossen did the right thing, bringing the issue to her coach and tournament officials. The mistake resulted in her disqualification. Said Gossen, “I realized I needed to do the right thing, losing my shot at going to state. I knew walking in there…I started tearing up. I knew I was going to be disqualified, but it was the right thing to do.”

Gossen’s coach, Gretchen Flynn, also supported the decision. Flynn stated, “I don’t have the words to express how proud I am of her. She could have left there and nobody would have known the difference but her.”

Looking to Expand Your Golf Knowledge?

Although it took away her shot at a championship, the fact that Gossen had such a sound understanding of the rules and such high integrity speaks to the success she will see throughout the duration of her career. If you’re new to the game of golf, knowing the rules – both written and unwritten – will help you find success on the course, and save you from a potentially embarrassing situation. Fortunately, Westlake Golf Course has nine golf professionals that can help improve any facet of your golf game. If you’re looking to schedule a lesson, call the pro shop at 818-889-0770.