A Guide to Golf Etiquette

If you’re new to the game of golf, you’ve made a great choice! It’s a beautiful game and you’ve probably been able to learn the rules quickly. Next, you’ll need to learn the game’s second set of rules: golf etiquette.

Beyond the game’s rules, golfers need to know the unwritten guidelines for the golf course. Here, there is a secret code that exists that all golf fanatics know and understand. As you learn the game, keep in mind certain behaviors are going to be expected by veteran players and some behaviors may make you unintentionally look foolish or rude.

Luckily, avoiding these situations is a little easier because we’ve taken this blog opportunity to offer some do’s and don’ts on the golf course. 

Known as golf etiquette, this mostly unspoken and widely understood set of guidelines may take years to fully master. In this blog, we’ve outlined just a few tips for golf etiquette you’ll need for your game.

Do: Replace divots

One general rule – always take good care of the course. You don’t want to leave an impact on the course after you have completed your round. This means you’ll need to replace divots and any other marks left by your ball or clubs. 

If you’re still mastering the golf swing, it is completely understandable if your club makes contact with a chunk of the fairway. Even the professionals occasionally make divots. 

Once you make it to the green, your ball could also indent the putting surface. In this case, it may be helpful to purchase a divot replacement tool. But always remember, it’s common courtesy to replace your divots!

Do: Rake the sand after your bunker shots

Same goes for when you end up in the sand. Bunkers and sand traps are a part of the game, and it may take time to master your bunker shot. However, you should always rake the sand after you take a shot from the bunker. Use the rake near the bunker and make the sand even nicer than you found it. Doing your part to keep the course looking nice and playable for everyone is going to be expected.  

Do: Know where to stand.

If you’re playing with a big group, you need to know where you should stand while other players are taking their shots. First‌, safety is important while on the golf course. You shouldn’t stand too close to another player’s swing or where the ball might land.

Also, don’t allow yourself to be a distraction for other players while they are about to make a shot. Walking or standing in front of or in view of your golfing partners can be extremely distracting. 

Taking a practice swing while another player is approaching the ball is also extremely distracting. Stand in a place where you won’t be distracting to avoid upsetting your golfing partner!

Don’t: Talk during a fellow player’s swing.

This is a big one. Talking during a player’s swing or as they are approaching the ball is highly frowned upon. You will without a doubt cause the other player to lose focus and they might have to step away and re-approach the ball. 

Talking during another player’s swing will certainly upset experienced players because this is an important guideline of golf etiquette.

It’s fun to cheer for a baseball player while they are at the plate or encourage a basketball player while he or she shoots. However, encouraging words just before or during a golfer’s swing is not allowed in the code of golf etiquette. 

Even quiet chatting is not acceptable if you are standing near a fellow player. To be safe, be completely silent to respect your golfing buddies. 

Don’t: Play unnecessarily slowly.

Pace of play is also an important aspect of golf etiquette. Certainly, spending time on the course is why you’ve chosen to golf. But, be courteous of other groups playing behind you. 

Don’t play unnecessarily slow. Be timely in preparing your shot to keep the game moving along and prepare yourself for your shot while other players are hitting their ball. Be ready to swing when it is your turn. 

Limit practice swings and time to find lost balls. If a group behind you keeps catching up, let them go ahead to avoid a slower game for everybody.

Don’t: Walk in another player’s putting line.

On the green, putting is very important. The simplest details can change an excellent putt into a bad situation. 

To use proper golf etiquette, don’t walk in between another player’s ball and the hole. If your ball happens to be on the other side of the green, walk around. Leaving a footprint might change the way the green plays and cause your partner to miss his putt. 

Avoid a golfing buddy accusing you of messing up his score and simply remember to walk around another players putting line.