Safety and etiquette walk-through

Setup

1. A straight line of cones marks the hitting line. Stations sit behind it, at least 3 m apart; the target area in front is empty.
2. Clubs lie on the ground at each station until the coach says to pick them up.

How it runs

1. Swing space: each player holds a club out at arm's length and turns slowly on the spot. Nothing and nobody should be inside that circle, plus a good margin. This is the check before every swing, practice swings included.
2. Hitting line: everyone stands behind the cones, faces the same way and only steps up to their own station. Nobody stands in front of or close behind anyone hitting.
3. 'Fore!': the coach explains it and everyone practises shouting it loudly. If a ball might hit anyone, shout straight away; if you hear it, crouch, cover your head and turn away.
4. Hit and wait: each player checks the space and hits one ball, then puts the club down. Nobody walks forward until the coach calls 'clear'. Then everyone collects together and returns behind the line before any club is picked up.
5. Course care talk (on the way back or at the green): repair ball marks and replace or fill divots, rake bunkers after playing out of them, don't walk on another player's putting line, play ready golf and keep up with the group in front, and stop and shelter safely if there is lightning.

Coaching points

• Look all round, especially behind and in front, before every swing.
• Never hit towards anyone, however far away they seem.
• Walk with the club head down; no swinging while walking or waiting.
• Stand still and quiet while someone is playing.

Common mistakes

• Practice swings in the queue or while walking.
• Darting forward for a ball that rolled just past the line.
• Shouting 'Fore!' too late or too quietly.
• Standing directly behind or in front of the person hitting.