1
Show Up Early
This is one of the easiest things to do yet so many people still make this mistake every single time. Be sure to show up at least 20 minutes before your scheduled tee time. It’s bad for your game when you need to scramble from your car to the 1st tee box.2
Warm Up with Three Balls
You don’t need a bucket of balls to warm up on the practice green. Use your own 3 balls and don’t putt in the way of others.3
Talk to Your Ball and Your Ball Only
There’s nothing worse than a buddy saying “don’t hit the water” when you are standing in the same spot and are well aware of the water. If you need self-assurance for hitting your own ball, that’s fine, just don’t presume others want to hear it.4
Always Yell Fore
Always know where other players are on the course. If it is even remotely possible that your ball may hit someone, yell FORE loudly.5
Be Careful Where You Walk
This is especially important on the green, where you should avoid walking in the potential line of a golfer’s putt. The slightest spike mark can knock the ball off line.6
Playing Slow
Slow pace of play is probably the most frustrating thing not only for those in your group, but all others coming behind you. A good motto – if you are playing bad, make sure you play bad fast. And if you are a beginner, having the exact yardage to the hole is probably not the most important thing. Nobody wants to play a 5 or even 6 hour round.7
Get Off the Phone
Turn off the technology as much as possible. If you need your phone, make sure it is in silent mode.8
Obey the Course Cart Rules
Carts may seem to be the best invention ever when you are playing a long 18 holes. But respecting the course rules is important etiquette. Scatter where appropriate (i.e. don’t go in the same path as other carts when tracks are being left). When it’s wet conditions, keep to the fairways and avoid visibly wet areas.9
Don’t Talk While Others are Hitting
Many people consider this the single most important rule of etiquette. When some is hitting, stay silent and avoid moving in their line of sight.10
Moving or Standing Behind Someone on the Green
It is extremely distracting to have someone stand behind your line of sight when you are putting. And if that person is moving around, that is doubly distracting. If you want to get a read on his line, wait until he putts then rush over to see it. Watch your shadow as well to make sure it doesn’t interfere with the putter’s ability to see the hole or his line to the hole. Stand far enough way so as to not be a distraction.11
Know the Rules
Establish the rules for the round before hitting off the first tee. What will the group do about a ball out of bounds? How far is the “gimme” putt? Establish those kinds of things before you begin.12
Lost Ball Etiquette
As of 2019, the rule is 3 minutes…you have 3 minutes to find your ball MAX. After your hit, watch the ball until you can’t see it any longer so that you have a good idea where it is. But if you cannot find it in 3 minutes, take a drop and move on.13
Ready Golf
One of the reasons golf takes so long is that most players aren’t playing ready golf. Ready golf is nothing more than being ready once it’s your turn to hit. Save honors golf (furthest one out) for tournaments or highly skilled players. Research shows that ready golf produces better results as it allows a golfer to stay in rhythm.
