Asian golfers wondering why people make such a fuss about etiquette should take note of a telegram sent by the game's ruling body to American astronaut Alan Shepard after he struck the most famous shots in history out of a lunar bunker in 1971.
While delighted about Commander Shepard and the Apollo 14 crew's magnificent feat, Royal and Ancient officials nevertheless added a more down-to-earth note in a message after their return: 'Please refer to the rules of golf section on etiquette, paragraph six, 'before leaving a bunker, a player should carefully fill up all holes made therein'.'
In a game rich in history and histrionics, officials have always kept a firm grip on how people conduct themselves on a golf course.
There are the official rules, understandably difficult to master, and etiquette, which is much easier to remember. And it is sad that too often Asian golfers break the 'rules' of etiquette, making a noise or moving when someone else in the group is playing a shot, leaving bunkers in a mess, spiking greens with their shoes and not repairing the marks or holding up the group behind needlessly when searching for a ball.
Part of the problem is the game, which can trace its origins to the Roman Empire's paganica, France's jeu de mail and Holland's kolf before being refined in Scotland into the sport we know, and caught on only relatively late in the East.
It has spread fast in these parts with more eager golfers and more beautiful courses appearing every year. But, amid all this, many golfers have been taught how to hit the shots, but not how to play the game according to the rules and etiquette.