Golf Etiquette for Beginners

Golf Etiquette

 Integrity

The game of golf unlike other sports, relies on the personal integrity of an individual to extend consideration for all players and to always play by the RULES.  There are no umpires, or referees to supervise play and players should always conduct themselves in a professional manner, extending courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive an individual may be, or when a difficult golf situation arises.  Integrity is the cornerstone and spirit of  the game of golf.

 Safety

Safety should ALWAYS be at the forefront during a round of golf.  When making a stroke or practice swing, players should always ensure that no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by a club, golf ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs etc. 

Players should only play after the players in the group in front are out of range.  If a player plays a ball in a direction that might endanger green staff, the group ahead, or in a direction of hitting someone, he/she should immediately shout the traditional warning of “FORE” 

Consideration for All Players



No Disturbance or Distraction
- 
Players should ALWAYS show consideration for all players on the golf course and not disturb their play by talking, moving, or making any unnecessary noise. 

Players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course do not distract other players. 

On the tee box, a player should not tee his ball until it is his turn to play. 

A player should not stand close to or directly behind the ball, or directly behind the hole, when a player is about to play.

On the Putting Green
 - On the putting green, players should not stand on another player's line of putt or when he is making a stroke, cast a shadow over his line of putt. 

Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all other players in the group have holed out.

Scoring

In stroke play, a player who is acting as a marker should, if necessary, on the way to the next tee, check the score with the player concerned and record it.

Pace of Play

Play at Good Pace and Keep Up
-
Players should play at a good steady pace and it is the group's responsibility to keep pace with the group in front. If a group loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should ALWAYS invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group. 

Be Ready to Play
- Players should be ready to play as soon as it is their turn to play. When playing on or near the putting green, they should leave their bags or carts in such a position as will enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee. When the play of a hole has been completed, players should leave the putting green immediately.

Lost Ball
-
If a player believes his ball may be lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, to save time, he should play a provisional ball. 

Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found. 

They should not search for five minutes before doing so. Having allowed the group behind to play through, they should not continue play until that group has passed and is out of range.

Care of the Course



Fairway Divots -  Players should ALWAYS repair any divot holes made by them when playing a ball and any damage to the fairway green. 

Sand Bunkers
- Before leaving a bunker, players should ALWAYS carefully fill up and smooth over any holes and footprints made by them and any nearby made by others. If a rake is within reasonable proximity of the bunker, the rake should be used for this purpose.  The rake should be placed in an area so as not to interfere with play by golfers behind the group

Putting Green Repair of Divots, Ball-Marks and Damage by Shoes
- Players should carefully repair any divot holes made by them and any damage to the putting green made by the impact of a ball (whether or not made by the player himself). On completion of the hole by all players in the group, damage to the putting green caused by golf shoes should be repaired.

Golf Course Unnecessary Damage Prevention Preventing
- 
Players should ALWAYS avoid causing damage to the course by removing divots when taking practice swings or by hitting the head of a club into the ground, whether in anger or for any other reason. 

Players should ensure that no damage is done to the putting green when putting down bags or the flagstick. 
Players and caddies should not stand too close to the hole and should take care during the handling of the flagstick and the removal of a ball from the hole. Players should not lean on their clubs when on the putting green, particularly when removing the ball from the hole and head of a club should not be used to remove a ball from the hole. The flagstick should be properly placed in the hole before players leave the putting green. 

Local notices regulating the movement of golf carts or walk thru areas should be strictly observed.