A Golf Etiquette Primer: Do’s and Don’ts

The burning desire of every golfer is to get better. Launch longer drives. Hit crisper iron shots. Sink more putts.

In the quest for improvement, there’s another facet of the game that often gets overlooked. It’s called etiquette, and while it may sound old-fashioned, the game’s code of conduct dates back to the Middle Ages. (Golf is said to have originated in 15th-century Scotland, but its roots are likely far more ancient).

So…there are well-established protocols. There are do’s and don’ts about how one goes about deporting him or herself on the golf course. Golf isn’t only about advancing the ball. It’s about respecting time-honored traditions that benefit all players and the golf course itself.

Here are basic do’s and don’ts of golf course etiquette.

Pace of Play. Nothing is more exasperating to a seasoned golfer than getting behind a gaggle of self-absorbed players who take forever to complete a hole. According to head pro Danny Garcia, the target time for a round golf at TPC Danzante Bay is 4 to 4 ½ hours. Players who dawdle must wave faster players through or risk being prompted to speed up by the on-course ranger, who may ask tardy players to skip a hole to keep pace.

• Do: Be ready to hit when it’s your turn. Even better, play ‘ready golf.’ The Rules of Golf state that the person farthest away from the hole hits first, but there’s no reason to wait until ‘you’re away.’ Be conscious of your position relative to the group in front of you–and keep up. Pick up your ball if your score on an individual hole is going to exceed double bogey.
• Don’t: Pretend you’re a PGA Tour pro by taking FOREVER to size up a shot, select a club or line up a putt. Also, play the desert rule: If your ball departs the fairway and enters the desert, take a drop two club lengths from where the ball entered.
• D: Help others look for their stray shots.
• Don’t: Spend more than a couple of minutes searching for a ball, especially in the desert, where it’s easy to get impaled by thorny vegetation.

It’s Every Player’s Responsibility to Look After the Golf Course

Care for the Course. TPC Danzante Bay is a tremendous layout. It is flawlessly maintained by an expert grounds crew. Players can keep it that way by adhering to a few basic duties.

• Do: Repair ball marks on the greens, use the sand mix on the golf cart to fill in divots in the fairway and on the tee boxes of the par 3’s, and smooth out your footprints in the bunkers. Always place the rake outside the bunker. A good rule of thumb: Leave the course in better shape than you found it.
• Don’t: Assume that caring for the course is not your job. It is your job. Players who do not perform basic housekeeping duties during the round do a disservice to their fellow golfers. Irresponsible types tend to be shunned by experienced players.

On-Course Etiquette. Like any society, the society of golfers has its own code of conduct. Many of the rules are longstanding customs known to those who grew up playing golf. To be accepted by the tribe, those who take up golf later in life must make a special effort to learn the game’s nuances.

• Do: Be punctual. Arrive at least 20 -30 minutes early, so you are ready to tee off at your appointed time. Give yourself ample time to stretch, hit a few practice shots and stroke a few putts. There’s a bonus to punctuality: warming up can help you avoid injury.
• Don’t: Oversleep.
• Do: Follow the golf cart path rules, for your own safety.
• Don’t: Drive the golf cart into the desert and get it stuck in the sand.

Be Silent—Except When You Need to Yell ‘FORE!’

The Finer Points of the Game

• Do: Maintain silence while other players are hitting.
• Don’t: Move or stand behind someone on the green. It can be distracting. Don’t walk in between the line of another player’s ball and the hole when you’re on the green. Also, watch your shadow, especially if you’re playing in the early morning or late afternoon. Casting a long shadow across another golfer’s play line is a no-no.
• Do: Be polite. Wait for every player to tee off.
• Don’t: Leave the teeing area before everyone in the group has played their ball.
• Do: Yell “FORE!” as a warning to other golfers that an errant shot may be heading in their direction. Doing so will enable them to duck, take cover or move out of the way.
• Don’t: Be silent if you or someone in your group hits a wild shot towards another group. Don’t be embarrassed about shouting at the top of your lungs. The golf community widely accepts yelling “FORE!” as a courtesy to prevent other golfers from getting struck by a flying ball.
• Do: Refrain from on-course commentary, especially if you’re playing with strangers.
• Don’t: Give advice unless specifically asked about a shot or a swing. If someone does solicit your advice, keep it neutral and generic.

Treat Other Players as You Would Want to be Treated

Other Courtesies

• Do: Switch your cell phone to silent and check it discretely if there is a pressing need.
• Don’t: Blab away on your phone during the round. Golf is quite an old-fashioned sport. There are plenty of golfers who were playing the game long before the advent of mobile phones.
• Do: Make sure the group ahead is well out of range before you hit.
• Don’t: At all costs, don’t smash a ball into the group ahead of you. It’s not only poor etiquette, it’s dangerous. Err on the side of caution.
• Do: Observe the club’s dress code. For men: a collared polo shirt tucked in and tailored knee-length shorts or pants. For women: dresses, skirts, shorts, or pants plus a collared or boat neck polo shirt. Players must wear socks and proper golf footwear.
• Don’t: Show up with an untucked shirt, a T-shirt, short shorts, open-toe shoes or anything made of denim.

Final takeaway: If you approach golf with an open attitude and a willingness to admit what you don’t know about etiquette, most golfers will be happy to help you learn.