Golf Etiquette 101: The Unwritten Rules Every Golfer Should Know

The Rules of Golf tell you what happens when your ball lands in a bunker. Etiquette tells you how to behave so that everyone — including the groups behind you — enjoys the day. Golf is unusual among sports: there is rarely a referee, players call penalties on themselves, and a group of strangers shares the same field for four hours. Etiquette is what makes that work.

The good news is that golf etiquette is mostly common sense and courtesy. Master these basics and you will be welcome in any group, at any course, whatever your handicap. Nobody minds playing with a beginner who hits poor shots; everybody minds playing with someone who is slow, careless with the course or inconsiderate.

Safety first

Golf balls and clubs can cause serious injuries. Safety etiquette is non-negotiable.

• Never swing until you know nobody is close to you or within range of your shot. Check behind you before practice swings.
• Shout "Fore!" loudly and immediately if your ball is heading toward anyone — even on another hole. If you hear it, crouch, turn away and cover your head with your arms.
• Wait until the group ahead is clearly out of range before playing. If you are unsure whether you can reach them, wait.
• Stand in a safe place when others are hitting: to the side and slightly behind the player, never in front.
• Never throw clubs. Apart from being dangerous, it is one of the quickest ways to lose playing partners.
• Drive carts carefully, especially on slopes, wet ground and paths near greens.

Before you tee off

Good etiquette starts before the first shot:

• Arrive early — at least 20–30 minutes before your tee time. Check in at the pro shop or starter, and be on the tee a few minutes before your time.
• Know the dress code. See what to wear for golf.
• Introduce yourself to playing partners you do not know.
• Agree the format and any games before you start, so there are no misunderstandings later.
• Mark your ball with a personal mark so you can identify it.
• Put your phone on silent.

Honour on the tee

Who plays first? On the first tee, the order is usually decided informally or by the draw. After that, the player with the lowest score on the previous hole has the honour and tees off first. In casual golf, playing "ready golf" (see below) is often encouraged instead.

On the teeing ground:

• Tee up between the markers, and no more than two club lengths behind them.
• Stand still and quiet while others play, out of their eyeline.
• Watch every tee shot so you can help find balls.

Keep up with the group in front

Slow play is the most common complaint in golf. Your position on the course is directly behind the group in front, not just ahead of the group behind. If a gap opens up in front of you, it is your group's job to close it.

• Play ready golf in casual rounds: if you are ready and it is safe, hit — even if you are not furthest from the hole.
• Be ready when it is your turn: glove on, club chosen, yardage known.
• Limit practice swings to one or two.
• If your ball might be lost or out of bounds, hit a provisional ball to avoid walking back.
• Under the Rules, you have three minutes to search for a ball.
• Walk briskly between shots, and go to your own ball rather than all walking together to each player's ball.
• Pick up when you can no longer score in formats such as Stableford or match play.
• If a faster group is waiting behind you and there is space ahead, invite them to play through.

How long should a round take?

As a rough guide, a group of four should complete 18 holes in around four hours, and a two-ball in considerably less. Many courses publish target times for each hole. If you are a beginner, play at quieter times while you build speed. Our golf for beginners guide has more tips for your first rounds.

Look after the course

Every golfer shares the same course. Leave it better than you found it.

• Replace your divots or fill them with the sand-and-seed mix provided, depending on the course's policy. Tread the repair down gently.
• Repair your pitch mark on the green — and one more. Push the edges toward the centre with a repair tool rather than levering up the middle, then tap the surface flat with your putter.
• Rake bunkers after you play from them, smoothing your footprints as well as the area around your shot. Enter and leave from the low side nearest the ball.
• Follow cart signs, keep carts on paths where requested, and keep them well away from greens and tees.
• Do not take practice divots on the tee, and avoid damaging the turf with practice swings near greens.
• Leave flagsticks and holes undamaged — do not lean on your putter on the green or drag your feet.
• Pick up litter, including broken tees on the teeing ground.

Green etiquette

The green is where most etiquette mistakes happen, often without players realising.

• Do not walk on the line of another player's putt — the path between their ball and the hole — or the extension of that line behind the hole.
• Do not stand directly behind or in front of a player while they putt.
• Mark your ball if it might be in someone's way, and offer to move your marker a putter-head length to one side if it is on their line.
• Stay still and quiet while others putt, and keep your shadow off their line.
• Handle the flagstick carefully — lay it down off the line of putts, never drop it on the green. (You may leave it in the hole while putting under the current Rules if your group agrees.)
• Repair damage sensibly. The current Rules let you repair most damage on the green, including pitch marks and spike marks, but not natural imperfections such as aeration holes or worn areas. Do it promptly so you do not hold up play.
• Leave the green promptly when everyone has holed out, and record scores at the next tee rather than on the green.

Respect your playing partners

• Stand still, out of a player's eyeline, and stay quiet while they play.
• Keep phones on silent and take calls well away from the group, if at all.
• Keep an eye on your partners' shots so you can help find their balls.
• Do not offer swing advice unless asked.
• Be generous with "good shot", but avoid praising a shot before it lands.
• Be gracious — whether you win, lose or shoot your worst round in years. Shake hands at the end.
• Control your temper. Everyone hits bad shots; nobody enjoys a tantrum.

Scoring and honesty

Golf relies on integrity. Every golfer is expected to:

• Count every stroke, including penalty strokes and air shots.
• Call penalties on yourself, even when nobody else saw.
• Keep an accurate scorecard in competitions, check it carefully and sign it before returning it.
• Raise rules questions politely and, in competitions, play a second ball when the Rules allow if unsure, then ask the committee.

For a full explanation of handicaps and scoring, read the World Handicap System explained, and for the vocabulary, see golf terms every golfer should know.

Cart and trolley etiquette

• Keep carts and trolleys off tees and greens, and away from the area between bunkers and greens.
• Follow the "90-degree rule" where it applies: stay on the path until level with your ball, then drive straight across.
• Park on the side of the green nearest the next tee.
• Do not drive away while another player is hitting.

See our guide to golf bags, carts and trolleys for help choosing.

Etiquette in the clubhouse

• Change shoes in the locker room or car park, not in the bar.
• Remove your cap indoors where this is the club's custom.
• Follow the dress code for the bar and dining room, which may differ from the course.
• Keep phone calls and laptops to designated areas if the club requests it.
• Buy a drink for your playing partners if you are the guest — or if you made a hole in one, by tradition.

Playing as a guest or visitor

• Check the visitor policy and dress code in advance.
• Arrive early and introduce yourself to the starter or staff.
• Ask about local rules and anything unusual on the course.
• Follow your host's lead on customs and pace.
• Thank your host and the staff.

If you are thinking about becoming a member, see our golf club membership guide.

Etiquette for beginners

New golfers sometimes worry so much about etiquette that they avoid the course. Do not. Follow these simple principles and you will be welcomed:

1. Play at quieter times while you learn.
2. Pick up your ball after a sensible number of shots on a hole if you are holding up play in a casual round.
3. Focus on safety, pace and course care — the three things that matter most.
4. Ask questions. Experienced golfers are usually happy to help.

Common etiquette mistakes — and how to avoid them

Frequently asked questions

What is the most important rule of golf etiquette?

Safety. Never hit when anyone could be in range, and always shout "Fore!" if your ball heads towards someone. After that, keeping pace and looking after the course matter most.

What does "ready golf" mean?

Ready golf means hitting when you are ready and it is safe, rather than strictly following the order of who is furthest from the hole. It is encouraged in casual rounds to speed up play. In match play, the order of play matters more, so agree beforehand.

Should I let faster groups play through?

Yes, if they are clearly faster and there is space in front of your group. Wave them through on a tee or step aside on a par 3 after hitting your tee shots.

Is it rude to give advice to other golfers?

Unsolicited swing advice is usually unwelcome. If someone asks for help, of course offer it. Otherwise, encouragement is better than instruction.

Do I need to know all the rules before playing?

No. Learn the basics — safety, pace of play, course care and counting your strokes honestly — and pick up the rest as you go. Playing with experienced golfers is a great way to learn.

The bottom line

Golf etiquette is simply consideration for other people and for the course. Play safely, keep up with the group in front, repair what you damage, respect other players' turns and lines, count every stroke and dress appropriately. None of it costs anything, it makes the game better for everyone, and it is the quickest way to earn invitations to play again.

To keep your group moving, read pace of play, and to understand how the course is cared for, read golf course maintenance explained.

Learn more about golf traditions and customs and golf course safety.

For club life, read clubhouse etiquette, tipping in golf and playing as a guest at a private club.

More etiquette: golf cart etiquette, practice green etiquette and public footpaths on golf courses.