Yeah I see where you're coming from. I think etiquette should only mean things that may directly affect someone's actual golf - i.e. standing in their eyeline or treading on their line (if they're concerned about that). Showing courtesy in that sense. But not about what they're wearing or where they've changed their shoes - that can be filed under pomposity.
Let me guess, did he say "I didn't see you there" or words to that effect? I do find that annoying. If you hit onto the wrong hole just shout anyway just in case. You don't lose anything by shouting.
17 holes hitting really good tee shots....then on the 18th, friggin push/fade....I'm starting to yell "fore" and then kind of kill it....nobody over there which you can see through the trees. I'd rather yell admitting a crap shot than kill somebody......and....I'm American.....shhhhh
I played a couple of courses in NSW in the 1990s. The Ozzies seemed to have no dress code as such. The policing of any really daft clothing was done by relentless mickey-taking by all on the course. They had one strange quirk - you should not lay the flagstick on the ground. You had to hold it and pass it to someone else when it was your turn to putt. Seemed a pretty pointless ritual to me. When the course was rammed with fourballs, on a par three you all would walk off the back of the green before putting to allow the players behind to play their tee shots, then commence putting. Never seen that one done here by convention. Would make sense sometimes.
In the grand scheme of things as long as you are keeping up with the group in front it doesn't actually affect the time it takes to complete your round.
