There’s a moment every golfer remembers—standing on the first tee, heart pounding, driver in hand, with a foursome of strangers watching your every move. You’ve practiced your swing for weeks. But do you know where to stand? When to talk? What happens if your ball lands in someone else’s fairway?

Golf etiquette isn’t just about being polite. It’s the invisible framework that makes the game enjoyable for everyone. Break these unwritten rules, and you’ll get sideways glances, frustrated playing partners, and possibly a reputation that follows you around the clubhouse. Master them, and you’ll be welcomed on any course, in any group, at any level of play.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or someone who’s played a few rounds but never quite learned the social side of the game, this guide covers everything you need to know about proper golf etiquette.

On the Tee Box: Starting Each Hole Right

The tee box is where rounds are made or broken—not just in terms of your drive, but your reputation as a playing partner. Here’s how to handle yourself.

Understanding “Honors”

Traditionally, the player with the lowest score on the previous hole earns the “honor” of teeing off first on the next hole. On the first tee, honors typically go to the player with the lowest handicap, or you can simply flip a tee to decide randomly.

Here’s the thing though: while honors is the traditional approach, many groups now play “ready golf” to speed things up. If the person with honors isn’t ready but you are, and they wave you on, go ahead and hit. Just make sure everyone’s clear on what approach your group is taking.

Where to Stand (And Where Not To)

This is where new golfers often get it wrong. When someone is teeing off, you should never stand:

• Directly behind them (in their line of sight)
• Directly in front of them (dangerous and distracting)
• Close enough that your shadow falls across their ball or putting line

The ideal position is off to the side, either behind and to the right for a right-handed golfer, or simply back near the cart path where you’re clearly out of the way. A good rule of thumb: if you can make eye contact with the golfer without them turning their head, you’re probably too close to their line of vision.

The Golden Rule: Silence During the Swing

This one seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how often it’s violated. From the moment a golfer begins their pre-shot routine until the ball lands, maintain complete silence. That means:

• No talking, even in whispers
• No rustling through your bag
• No rattling clubs
• No checking your phone (silence it before the round)
• No walking or moving around

I once played with a guy who answered his phone mid-backswing of a playing partner. The drive went 40 yards right into the trees. Don’t be that guy.

On the Fairway: Keeping Things Moving

The fairway is where pace of play is won or lost. It’s also where you’ll spend most of your time, so these habits matter.

Ready Golf in Action

Traditional golf says the player farthest from the hole hits first. Ready golf says whoever is ready should go ahead and play, as long as it’s safe. Most casual rounds today operate on ready golf principles because it speeds up play significantly.

That said, always make sure the person farther out knows you’re hitting. A simple “mind if I go ahead?” is all it takes. And never hit when someone is within range of your shot—when in doubt, wait.

Replace Your Divots

When you take a chunk of turf with your iron shot (and you will), you have two options depending on the course:

• Replace the divot: Pick up the chunk of grass and place it back in the hole, pressing it down with your foot
• Fill with sand mix: Many courses provide sand/seed mixture on carts—use it to fill divot holes

Check what your course prefers. Either way, leaving divots unfilled is one of the biggest etiquette violations on the course. Those holes affect every golfer who plays after you.

Cart Path Etiquette

Some courses require carts to stay on paths at all times (“cart path only”). Others allow you to drive on fairways with restrictions. Know the rules before you start.

When you can drive on fairways:

• Never drive within 30 yards of greens or tee boxes
• Avoid wet or damaged areas
• Enter and exit at 90-degree angles to minimize turf damage
• Don’t drive through bunkers (yes, people try this)

When it’s cart path only, bring multiple clubs to your ball so you don’t have to walk back for a different one.

On the Green: Where Etiquette Matters Most

The putting green is sacred ground in golf. The grass is the most carefully maintained surface on the course, and even small disruptions can affect putts. Pay attention here.

Marking Your Ball

If your ball might interfere with another player’s putt or line, mark it. Place a small coin or ball marker directly behind your ball (on the opposite side from the hole), then pick up your ball. When it’s your turn, replace the ball exactly where it was and remove the marker.

If your marker is in someone’s line, offer to move it. You do this by placing your putter head next to the marker, aligning it with a fixed point (like a tree), moving the marker to the other end of the putter head, and remembering to move it back before you putt.

Never Walk in Someone’s Line

The “line” is the imaginary path between a player’s ball and the hole. Walking on this line can leave footprints or spike marks that affect the putt’s roll. Always walk around putting lines, even if it means taking the long way.

This also applies to the area past the hole—balls that roll past need that surface undisturbed too.

Tending the Flag

If a player can’t see the hole (long putt, uphill, etc.), offer to tend the flag. Stand to the side so you don’t cast a shadow on their line, hold the flag so it doesn’t flap in the wind, and pull it out smoothly once they’ve struck the ball.

As of 2019, you’re allowed to leave the flag in while putting on the green. Many players now leave it in for longer putts. Either approach is acceptable—just be consistent and communicate with your group.

Pace of Play: Respect Everyone’s Time

Slow play is the single biggest complaint at golf courses worldwide. Here’s how to do your part.

Keep Up With the Group Ahead

Your pace should be determined by the group in front of you, not behind you. If there’s a gap opening up ahead, you need to move faster. If the group behind is constantly waiting on you and there’s open space ahead, wave them through.

Be Ready When It’s Your Turn

Use your waiting time wisely. While others are hitting:

• Assess your yardage and select your club
• Plan your shot strategy
• Take practice swings if appropriate
• Be standing at your ball, ready to go when it’s your turn

Limit Your Practice Swings

One or two practice swings is plenty. Three or more before every shot adds up to significant delays over 18 holes. If you need more practice, hit the range before your round.

Search Efficiently

You get three minutes to search for a lost ball under the rules. Use a provisional ball if you think your shot might be lost—it’s faster than walking back to re-hit. And if you can’t find it quickly, take the penalty and keep moving. No one wants to watch you hunt through the woods for ten minutes.

Dress Code Basics: Look the Part

Dress codes vary by course, but here are the generally accepted standards:

What to Wear

• Shirts: Collared polo shirts are standard. Many courses now accept collarless golf shirts designed for the sport.
• Pants/Shorts: Golf slacks, chinos, or tailored shorts (typically mid-thigh or longer). No cargo shorts at most private clubs.
• Shoes: Golf shoes with soft spikes or spikeless soles. No tennis shoes, sandals, or boots.
• Hats: Golf caps, visors, or bucket hats. Remove them indoors at the clubhouse.

What to Avoid

• Denim of any kind (though some courses are relaxing this)
• T-shirts without collars
• Athletic wear like gym shorts or tank tops
• Anything with offensive graphics or language

When in doubt, check the course website or call ahead. Better to be slightly overdressed than turned away at the pro shop.

Common Mistakes New Golfers Make

Even with good intentions, beginners often stumble on these:

Talking During Swings

It’s not just about being quiet during the swing itself. Some golfers need silence during their entire pre-shot routine. Watch and learn your playing partners’ preferences.

Not Raking Bunkers

After hitting from a sand trap, rake the area you disturbed AND your footprints. Enter and exit from the low side when possible, and leave the rake outside the bunker (handles pointing toward the fairway) or inside (parallel to play) depending on course preference.

Standing on the Wrong Side

New players often stand directly behind someone putting or driving. Move to the side. Way to the side. Think of it like positioning for a photograph—you wouldn’t stand directly behind the camera.

Celebrating Too Loudly

You just sank a 30-footer for birdie. That’s awesome! A fist pump, a “yes!” or even a celebratory walk is fine. Screaming at the top of your lungs while the group on the next tee is mid-backswing? Not so much.

Not Repairing Ball Marks

When your ball lands on the green and leaves a dent (ball mark), fix it. Use a divot repair tool or a tee, and push the edges toward the center—don’t lift up from underneath. Fix your own and one more if you see them.

Driving the Cart Too Close

Keep carts well away from greens, tee boxes, and hazards. The posted signs aren’t suggestions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I hit into the group ahead?

First, yell “FORE!” immediately—it’s a universal warning. If your ball reaches them or comes close, apologize sincerely when you catch up to them. Accidents happen, but taking responsibility matters.

Can I listen to music on the course?

Use earbuds at low volume if you must, but never use speakers unless your entire group agrees. Many golfers come to the course for peace and quiet—respect that.

When should I let a faster group play through?

If you’re consistently waiting for the group ahead (meaning you’re playing at the right pace) but a faster group is waiting on you, you don’t need to let them through—the problem is ahead of you. But if there’s open space ahead and you’re the bottleneck, wave them up at the next par 3 or after you’ve finished a hole.

What if I’m playing badly and slowing down the group?

Pick up your ball after double-par (10 on a par 5, 8 on a par 4, etc.) and move to the next hole. Your handicap can be adjusted later. Keeping pace matters more than finishing every hole.

Is it okay to give unsolicited swing advice?

Almost never. Unless someone specifically asks for your input, keep swing tips to yourself. Even well-intentioned advice can mess with someone’s head mid-round.

What’s the proper way to handle a hole-in-one?

Celebrate! This is the one time going wild is acceptable. Tradition holds that you buy drinks at the clubhouse afterward—it’s considered good luck to share your fortune.

Final Thoughts

Golf etiquette might seem like a lot to remember, but it really comes down to three principles: respect the course, respect your fellow players, and keep things moving.

The best way to learn is to play with experienced golfers who can guide you in real-time. Don’t be afraid to ask questions—most golfers appreciate someone who wants to learn rather than someone who doesn’t know and doesn’t care.

After a few rounds, these habits become second nature. You’ll find yourself automatically repairing ball marks, waiting quietly during swings, and keeping pace without thinking about it. That’s when golf stops being a minefield of potential embarrassments and becomes what it’s supposed to be: a great way to spend four hours outdoors with good people.

Welcome to the game. Play well, play fast, and enjoy yourself out there.