Golf Etiquette

There are a number of rules that you’ll need to learn when you start to play golf. It’s also important to earn the customary behavioural code of conduct that is part of the game of golf.

Whether you’re playing golf alone, or in a group with other golfers, you must wait your turn before you hit the ball. Stay aware of your surroundings whilst playing golf. Watch the group of players in front of you, and ensure they are more than one shot ahead of you before hitting your ball.

It isn’t polite to ‘hit up on’ and push the group of golfers along in front of you. This is impolite but it could also cause a serious injury if your ball hits another golfer. If you are playing golf with other golfers, please wait for your turn to hit your ball, and ensure that you never hit the golf ball at the same time another golfer is hitting their ball.

While you are waiting for your turn to hit your golf ball, use that time to walk to your ball and decide which golf club you’íll need to use. You can also look at your surroundings and decide where you are going to aim your golf shot. This process is called ‘ready golf’ and it ensures that the game of golf will keep moving. It’s important not to rush, and that you give yourself time to go through your routine. the focus is on using the time you have between shots constructively and producing the best golf shot that you can.

If you find that the players that you are playing golf with are slow, and the group behind you is continually waiting, be prepared to call the players behind you through. To do this, you would simply stand aside and wave them through, or if they are close enough, ask them if they’d like to play through.

When another player in your group is about to play their shot, don’t talk and stay quiet. Stand off to the side and stand still to ensure that you don’t distract them whilst they are making their golf shot.

Be sure to repair any divots that you make on the fairway by filling them with the sand and seed mixture in your bucket, and/or replacing the clump of grass that was removed by your shot.

If your ball makes a pitch mark when it lands on the green, be sure to use your divot repair tool to fix it. Gently tap down the surface with your putter to ensure the green is flat where you have repaired your pitch mark.

Once all players in your group have putted out and completed a hole, promptly replace the flag and leave the green so that the next golfers can hit onto the green.

As you are walking off the green to the next tee, count up your score and let your marker know your score. Ensure that you and your maker enter your scores on the scorecard or in the program on your device.

There are many rules of golf, and it’s important to check with your local club about where you can find more information about them. It’s important to know the rules and ensure that you are mindful of them during your game of golf.

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