Lol den that is a hilarious observation! and its funny cause its so true, I've probably done it to a few ppl myself

I don't remove my hat for the post-round handshake (which is now an elbow bump for me). Some might get offended by that but I hope that golf etiquette changes.

I don't have any hair to put back into place. But I don't want to shake hands after I take a sweaty hat off my head.

We normally touch putters.....

I, also, do not remove my hat at the end of the round. Typicall my hands are full with a putter, and maybe a wedge or two if i missed the green, my ball and possibly a glove. The last thing I need is to force another item in my hats for what is, incorrectly, deemed as polite.
I would understand more if this took place indoors, but we are outside where hats are acceptable.

Deno, that always amazed me.... Im like would you want your wait-staff running fingers through their hair and then serving you your steak or dram of scotch!

With 'Rona nowadays its a tip of the cap and "nice playing with ya"!

besides at my age, I have very little hair up there to run my hair thru to begin with....but I have always take my hat off by the bill then fist bumped.....even before the COVID......I know a southern gentleman always shakes hands.....

I never gave it much thought, but yeah, I take off my hat and shake hands. My hair is short enough to the point that I don't run my hand through it. That said, since COVID, my only playing partner has been my son. Generally, I make a joke about how he's goofy looking and then we get something to eat.

Just like Todd T does, I tip my cap and a "Nice round, enjoyed it and have a nice rest of the day". You can't be much more gentlemanly or sportsmanlike than that under currant, or for that matter, any circumstances.

Hat off and fist bump here.

Hi Deno,
Interesting topic, let me share my experience for those who are interested. In fact, let me extend the idea a little wider.

Have anyone of you wondered why you take off your hat, shake handshakes, but also.. when a player makes a put, every player almost touched his cap with his right hand on the edge of the cap like "Thank you". etc. etc.

In order to give you the true answer, we have to go way way way way way way back in time.
In the age that we have knights on horses, wearing their helmets on. When 2 knights approach each other on the horses they open their vizor with their right hand, so they can look into each other eyes. As a way of greeting each other. Also the hand shake was a sign of domination, showing your opponent who's in charge and a sign of respect. Funny part here, over the last couple of years I have experienced the same thing on tour.
Also back in the day, the old Scots man, usually played golf with hats. It's a gentleman sport back in the day, and by taking your hat off after the match, it was a sign that you are equally to each other, thank you for your effort and sportsmanship and respect. Funny part is, we are still doing this until the day of today.

Every morning I picked up my players tour bag and we usually meet in front of the players lounge or driving range. When you standing next to your bag, we caddies greet each other and give each other handshakes. Also upon walking onto the range. Then we twist the hand so your own hand would end up on top, (sign of domination) like we going low today, and you need to try harder etc. etc. I see this players doing also during Ryder Cup events and on the 1st tee I have seen it many many times.

I think this is way many players avoid this handshake way of "attack". In order to prevent their selves feeling uncomfortable and/or hit your 1st miss shot on the 1st tee. Today it's more like, arriving on the 1st tee box, the starter let's you know all ready in advance who your marker is. In the old days, you just swap cards. Now it's chosen already for you.

So when a player makes a put, he/she ticks the edge of the cap, like "THANK YOU". This refers on the "knights" part I written earlier on. The handshake thingy on the 18th hole, is again a sign of respect. You thank your playing partner for the match.
About the head and the wet thingy, yes.. as of today there is so much media chaos going around. Hundreds of photographers are taking a shot right after you stroke your put. In the end you don't want to end up in the front of a magazine with a hear cut like: 18 year old Rory McIlroy.

I think with COVID-19 we do a 'bluetooth box" or elbow tick as thank you. Now with so many youngsters coming out I think most etiquette will go away. For example, wearing hats inside the clubhouse.
it's the same thing, you can't wear your hat in the clubhouse (rules on tour). But most players simply do it as of showing off, their domination. Other example, was metal spikes.

I think most golf courses have rules that metal spikes aren't allowed. But I can remember my player walking back towards the tour truck and ask for a new set of metal spikes. Simply because the "clicky" sounds on car paths from green to next teebox would give him a nice confident sound. Also its noise makes you watch towards it. Showing domination... I know it's sounds so silly. But trust me I have seen way more crazier things on tour.

Hope it gives you a bit more in dept. on your question topic.

Happy swings,

Bart

Good observation Deno! I remove my hat, don't touch my hair and simply bump the fist or touch clubs.

Bart


I'm well aware of how the Military "salute" came about ( 20 years in the Army), and the custom of a hat or cap tipping. I'm talking about sanitary habits that have been practices well befor COVD.


I like being a polite golf partner also but:

I wouldn't don't bow to the queen while passing gas.

Deno

Deno
Good question. Speaking from experience, they remove their hat and straighten up their hair because they are all hoping to be interviewed by Amanda Balionis after a round. I've never actually seen her at the courses I play, but I want to be prepared just in case. The handshake is a traditional way of saying great to be a part of the golf brotherhood (& sisterhood). Yes, they may get a bit of sweat or hair gel on their hands, but that's what they make towels for.

I always take my hat off and say I hope to see you again during the season.

Without Covid I would remove my hat and shake hands.

With Covid I've removed my hat and announced "virtual handshake, enjoyed the round" and thank my playing partner.

Bumping fists or elbows gets a bit inside the social distance I prefer without a mask. A few people have seemed disappointed in my not wanting to bump fists but most have been quite understanding in these strange times.

Barry, JAM, and Jim S

I'd bump fists with you guys anytime.

Be well


Deno

Well as we left the 18th green on Friday, all four of us actually experienced a good old fashioned handshake. Of course the first question was, when did you get your second COVID shot before all four hands went out? We all were past the three week safe period and really felt good for just a moment of some degree of feeling a bit of being normal again. Everyone smiled, even though we did not play so well. It was a very chilly and the winds were blowing around 15-20 mph all day, but what a beautiful way to end the day. That kind of weather is rough on us senior guys. Then we put on our masks and proceeded to the 19th hole per the City of Charleston mandate. No worries. Will wear mine until we get an all clear.

Covid or no Covid. A good handshake is fine and customary but I'd rather not shake hands with a guy who runs that right hand through his sweaty locks of hair and offers to shake hands.

Deno

A fist bump is not a real replacement for a good firm handshake

I get the logic, but for myself, my son in-laws and friends, we always shake hands at the end of a round. That sign of friendship and respect is one of the things I miss since this COVID mess started.