Green Sheet

ou're only an average golfer, but you've received an invitation to play at an exclusive country club with an important potential client who is avid about the game. This could be the social outing that firms up the relationship, but you hesitate because you don't want to embarrass yourself.

Relax! There are some simple steps to follow that go way beyond "drive for show, putt for dough" and "keep your head down." You don't have to play like Tiger Woods to make a good impression, but even if you play like a pro you can make a bad impression.

First and foremost (no pun intended), make sure you at least look like a competent player. For men, an understated polo shirt and khaki pants are pretty standard attire on any course; T-shirts, jeans and shorts sometimes are prohibited, particularly at country clubs. For women, a polo shirt with a nice pair of slacks or shorts will fit right in. Tone down the loud colors; the days of burnt-orange shirts and plaid knickers are long gone.

Make sure your golf shoes are up to par. Soft spikes (rather than metal) are now required to protect the greens at virtually every course, but you also want shoes that are comfortable and stylish. FootJoy has been the top shoe manufacturer for years, but most golf shops have several other quality brands, too, for reasonable prices ($50-75).

You probably will want to wear a golf glove - on your left hand if you're right-handed and vice versa if you're left-handed - to look more professional and help you grip the club better. Again, you can't go wrong with FootJoy; any reputable golf shop will have a good selection of FootJoy gloves.

Your clubs say a lot about you. If you need a new set of clubs, do not go to a sporting goods store - get properly fitted and advised at a golf specialty shop. You don't need to spend a fortune on clubs, but you want a name brand (Titleist, TaylorMade, Wilson, etc.) and you want clubs that actually will help your game, not impede it.

Your golf bag will be noticed, too, so make sure yours isn't too small or too tattered. If you aren't sure, don't hesitate to ask a professional at a golf shop.

The brand of ball you play could become an issue. You don't want another member of your group walking up to your ball in the rough and announcing, "Who's playing a Cheapoflite 2 X-out with a cut in it?" For decades, Titleist has been the elite ball on the market - if you don't have a strong preference for another big-name brand, Titleist has the best "feel" and garners the most respect.

Find out how difficult the course is and whether it has a lot of water hazards. Bring at least a dozen new balls and a dozen "just-in-case" balls that haven't been overused. On some courses, you easily can lose your ball simply by missing the fairway (those of you who played in the ETA tournament in Seattle last September can attest to that), and the ultimate embarrassment is to run out of balls. Make sure that doesn't happen to you.

Finally, make sure you know the rules of etiquette. Some of the rules most commonly violated by casual golfers are:

• Hitting from between the tee markers, and staying even with or slightly behind them. The rules state that you cannot tee up your ball ahead of the markers.

• After you tee off, whoever is farthest from the hole hits first.

• Stay slightly behind and to the side, out of the line of sight, of a player who is hitting a shot. This is a safety issue as well as proper etiquette.

• Replace your divots on tees and fairways and repair your ball marks on greens. No country club member wants to watch a guest tear up the real estate and not try to fix it.

• Do not ground your club in a bunker (it's against the rules), and be sure to rake the sand neatly when you've extricated your ball from there.

• As soon as you hit your ball on the green, always "mark" it by placing a coin directly behind (not to the side of) your ball and picking the ball up. Then, when it's your turn to putt, put your ball back in front of the coin and pick up the coin. A ball left on the green can distract another player who is putting, and you also want to check to make sure your ball is clean. This is something the pros do without fail on every green.

• The player with the lowest score on the previous hole has the "honor" and hits first off the tee. If you tied on the previous hole, whoever had the "honor" on that hole hits first.

One final thought: One of the worst things you can do on the golf course is lose your temper. There's nothing more disconcerting to someone who loves the game than watching a casual golfer - someone who really has no right to expect much - get upset over a bad shot. Just do your best, have fun, be social ... and close that deal.