The practice green is where golfers warm up, hone their putting stroke and settle nerves before a round. On a busy morning, it can be crowded. A few simple courtesies keep it pleasant and useful for everyone.
How many balls?
On a busy practice green, use two or three balls. When it's quiet, a few more is fine.
Sharing holes
- Pick an open hole or ask to share.
- Don't putt across others' lines.
- Retrieve your balls promptly.
Chipping
- Check the signs: many clubs restrict chipping onto the putting green, or have a separate chipping green.
- Repair pitch marks. Read golf tees, ball markers and divot tools.
- Avoid chipping towards people.
Protect the green
- No trolleys, bags or carts on the green.
- Don't drag your feet or lean on your putter.
- Stay off frosty greens. Read golf course maintenance explained.
Be considerate
- Stay quiet when others are putting.
- Limit your time when it's busy.
- Keep your phone on silent.
Read golf etiquette 101.
Using the time well
- Long putts to judge pace. Read putting on fast and slow greens.
- Short putts to build confidence. Read how to hole more short putts.
- A few chips if allowed.
Read the pre-round warm-up routine.
Practice green dos and don'ts
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Use a few balls and share holes | Monopolise a hole or a busy area |
| Watch where you walk | Walk across other golfers' lines |
| Repair pitch marks | Chip onto putting-only greens |
| Keep noise down | Use the green as a social meeting point while others practise |
| Leave when called to the tee | Leave balls or training aids behind |
A 15-minute pre-round practice green routine
- Long putts (5 minutes): roll putts of 30–40 feet to get a feel for speed.
- Medium putts (4 minutes): 10–20 feet, focusing on the start line.
- Short putts (4 minutes): 3–4 feet, building confidence by holing them.
- Final putts (2 minutes): hole a few short ones and head to the tee.
Read pre-round warm-up routine and putting drills to stop three-putting.
Busy practice green tips
- Use one ball if the green is very crowded.
- Practise to tees or coins instead of holes.
- Choose a quiet corner for drills.
- Be patient and take turns.
Chipping green etiquette
- Check the signs: some greens allow chipping; others don't.
- Chip to empty areas, away from golfers putting.
- Collect all balls before others chip.
- Replace divots and rake practice bunkers.
Read how to chip in golf.
Training aids on the practice green
Training aids such as gates and alignment rods are usually fine on quieter practice greens, but take up little space and remove them when you finish. Read putting training aids.
Kids on the practice green
Practice greens are a great place for children to learn, but supervise them closely, keep them away from golfers about to tee off and teach them to stand still when others are putting. Read golf etiquette for kids.
Practice between holes and during a round
There are specific rules about practising on or near greens during a round. Read practising during a round rules.
Frequently asked questions
How many balls can I use on a practice green?
Two or three when busy.
Can I chip on the practice putting green?
Only if the club allows it; check signs.
Can I take my trolley onto the practice green?
No. Leave it at the edge.
How long should I spend on the practice green?
Ten to fifteen minutes before a round is plenty.
Can I use more than three balls on the practice green?
On a quiet green, a few more are usually fine. On a busy one, stick to one to three.
Can I practise chipping on a putting green?
Only where signs allow it. Many putting greens are putting only.
The bottom line
Use a few balls, share holes, follow chipping rules, protect the turf and stay considerate. For more etiquette, read clubhouse etiquette.