Golf Etiquette for Beginners: What to Do (and Not Do) on the Course

Written rule or courtesy?

Takeaway: Some "etiquette" is in the Rules; most is custom that keeps the game safe and quick.

Since 2019 the Rules of Golf have included Standards of Player Conduct: act with integrity, show consideration for others and take care of the course. A committee can disqualify a player for serious misconduct (Rule 1.2). The table separates what is written from what is custom.

Safety first

1. Shout "fore" loudly whenever a ball might come near anyone, on your hole or another one.
2. Never hit until the group ahead is out of range, including your longest possible shot.
3. Stand out of the swing path: to the side and slightly ahead of the player is the usual spot, never directly behind or in front.
4. Take practice swings away from others, and watch for stones and twigs.
5. Drive carts on paths when the course asks, and keep them away from greens and tees.

Pace of play

Takeaway: Being slow is the etiquette mistake other golfers notice most.

1. Be ready when it is your turn: glove on, club chosen, yardage known.
2. Hit a provisional if your ball might be lost or out of bounds, so you don't walk back (see provisional ball rules).
3. Limit searches to the 3 minutes allowed.
4. Park carts and bags on the side of the green nearest the next tee.
5. Mark scores on the next tee, not on the green you just finished.
6. Pick up when you are out of the hole in a casual round or Stableford, and let faster groups play through.

On the green

1. Repair your pitch mark (and one more). The Rules allow repairing ball marks and shoe damage on the green.
2. Don't step on another player's line between their ball and the hole.
3. Mark your ball with a coin or marker if it might be in someone's way.
4. Stay still and quiet while others putt, and don't cast a shadow over their line.
5. Agree on the flagstick: since 2019 you may leave it in when putting, which speeds things up.

Course care

1. Rake bunkers after playing, and enter and exit from the low side.
2. Replace divots or fill them with the sand-and-seed mix on the cart.
3. Don't take practice divots on the tee box.
4. Keep bags and carts off the green and fringe.

At the driving range

Takeaway: Range etiquette is mostly about space and safety.

• Hit only from your bay or between the markers, and never walk forward to collect balls.
• Keep your alignment sticks and bag inside your own space; our alignment stick drills all fit in one bay.
• If the range has grass tees, take divots in a line rather than scattering them, so the turf recovers faster.
• Keep phone calls and music for later; the golfer next to you is practising too.

The first-tee checklist

• Introduce yourself and say which tees you are playing
• Show your ball (brand and number) and your mark on it
• Agree the format and whether gimmes are allowed
• Phone on silent
• Enough balls and tees in your pocket for the first few holes

Common beginner mistakes

1. Apologising too much. Everyone hits bad shots. Keep moving and keep up.
2. Standing behind the hole on someone's line or in their peripheral vision.
3. Leaving a bag in front of the green. You end up walking back for it.
4. Giving swing advice nobody asked for. In competitions, advice to anyone other than your partner breaches Rule 10.2a.
5. Thinking etiquette is about fancy gear. Shoes with soft spikes or spikeless soles and a tidy shirt are enough; see what the pros wear in our golf shoes guide if you are curious, but you don't need tour gear to fit in.

Good etiquette also means knowing the basics of how a round is scored and played. Start with basic golf rules, then browse the rest of Golf 101. When you are ready to talk gear with your group, the pro WITB guide explains what tour bags actually contain.

Frequently asked questions

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