Golf Course Etiquette is a Discipline of Respect..

Golf course etiquette is a discipline of respect in golf, for your playing partners, the golf course and the wonderful game of golf itself. It is well worth the effort to have a good knowledge of golf etiquette to enjoy the game in its true spirit.

If you look at a golf rules book you will see that the first section deals with basic golf etiquette.

It amazes me how many golfers who have been playing golf for some time can sometimes have little respect or understanding of the golf etiquette. Therefore I urge any person new to golf to read this article and adhere to good golf course etiquette.

A fellow Pro friend of mine addressed the issue of golf etiquette rules very well by having this quote printed on the scorecard.

He wrote “Gentlemen Do Not Need Rules”

This is the best quote I have seen relating to the etiquette of golf. It says an awful lot by just reading it!

I have identified below some important golf course etiquette rules that you should adhere to.

Most golf clubs have a dress code and it is your responsibility to dress according to the local rules of the club you are visiting. Always check this before you arrive at the club.

Be able to identify your golf ball by marking it with a permanent marker.

Golf Course Etiquette

The most talked about subject at golf clubs is pace of play. This is usually at its worse when golf courses are busy. There is no need to rush your swing to maintain a good pace of play but focus on keeping up with the group in front of you and don’t waste time between shots.

A few ways of doing this is to be ready to play when it is your turn, limit the number of practice swings you take (2 maximum). If you are playing slowly then let the group behind you play through.

Wait till the players in front of you are out of range (or have cleared the putting green completely) before you play your shot.

Should you play an errand shot in the direction of other players shout the term, “fore” to warn them of the danger. By the same token if you hear “fore” cover you head, stay where you are. Read more here on the interesting origins of this word "fore"


Golf courses are generally a quiet and relaxing place so you should keep quiet, and stand still when another player/ partner is playing there shot. Stay out of their peripheral vision when they are playing a shot or getting ready to play.

Watch you ball till it lands to avoid it getting lost. Use landmarks where possible to mark you ball. This saves time looking for lost balls. I used to put sign boards in popular places in the rough saying “ stop losing balls take lessons” Amazingly, I did get some lessons this way.

Most golf courses require you to replace divots when you make them, some require you to fill the divot in with sand, this is usually on their local rules.

With the number of golf cars being used on courses nowadays there are golf car rules that you need to adhere to, check your local rules at the club you are playing.

Golf Course Etiquette on the Putting Green

The putting green should be protected at all times, so do not run on it, repair pitch marks even if they are not your own, keep all you equipment off the putting surface, replace the flagstick in the hole correctly and leave the green immediately when you have finished putting out.

Any hole you are playing whether on the putting green or not let the player whose furthest from the hole play first and be a sport, praise your partner for a good shot/putt.

Rake bunkers when you are finished in them.

Get to know some basic golf rules here

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