How to Practice General Golf Etiquette

The rules of golf have changed very little since the game's inception. For this reason, they often go unspoken nowadays. Here's a chance for you to learn the basic rules that apply to your entire golf game.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Golf Shirts
• Golf Practice Equipment
• Golf Course Memberships
• Golf Balls
• Golf Gloves
• Golf Bags
• Golf Club Cleaners
• Golf Lessons
• Golf Shoes
• Golf Clubs
• Sunglasses
• Golf Hats

Starting the Round

1. Read and follow the specific rules posted at the golf course.

2. Follow these instructions for dress codes, allotted time of play, golf carts and other necessary guidelines.

3. Determine the order of play. Generally, for the first hole, the player with the lowest handicap tees off first. On subsequent holes, the player who won the previous hole gets that honor.

4. Be completely quiet and still whenever any player is attempting a shot.

5. Pick up your tee after hitting your drive.

General Etiquette

6. Allow the person whose ball is farthest from the green to play first. Continue play in this manner.

7. Allow all other players to hit if you plan to take a mulligan (see glossary).

8. Don't spend more than five minutes looking for a lost ball. Play a new one to avoid holding up your group and others.

9. Yell "Fore!" after hitting an errant shot to alert other players to possible danger.

10. Rake all sandtraps after use. Make sure to smooth over all footprints left in the sand.

11. Repair all divots you create by retrieving and replacing the chunks by hand and pressing them down with your foot.

12. Play fairly and keep score accurately. Quite simply, cheating is not a part of the game.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't venture out on the course until you've gained a level of consistency and proficiency in your golf game. Time guidelines are based on players who can consistently hit the ball. Learn how to play on the course; learn how to hit at the driving range.

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Resources

• Golf Etiquette

on 8/25/2006 It is proper to pick up your tee if it is still on the box green, but not the divot. If you notice when teeing up off the tee box the divot's are not replaced.

on 2/15/2006 Whenever you are waiting for someone in your group to hit, make sure that your shadow is not interfering with their concentration. Sometimes it is easy to forget when standing behind someone that you may be casting a distracting shadow.

on 11/22/2005 Whenever someone else in your group is hitting, stop and watch where their ball settles. Since you are off to one side, you may have a better angle to follow their shot - especially if it goes a bit awry.

Note where it lands, so you can help them find it.

on 11/22/2005 More and more golfers are starting to look for lost balls in water and in the rough.

on 11/22/2005 When playing with someone who is obviously struggling, resist the temptation to give advice and tips. If the person asks for your advice, give him something simple you've noticed and tell him to work on it at the range.