Common Golf Etiquette

1.   Be ready to go when it is your turn! Do most of your prep for the shot at hand before it is your turn to hit. This means, when it’s your turn, you are ready to go with your glove on and hit your shot within 40 seconds. Once you get your distance, choose your club, line it up, take your practice swings, address the ball and hit.

o   Many golfers like to put their glove on as part of their pre-shot routine and that's OK. Just don't let it slow down play.

2.   AVOID walking across or down the putting line of someone you're playing with on the putting green.

3.   When you arrive at the green, place your bag off to the side of the green where the next tee is and keep your bag off the green!

4.   If you're going to need more than your putter to finish out the hole - take all the clubs that you to need to your ball. Plan ahead!

5.   Be aware of your surroundings so you don’t do ANYTHING that distracts someone who is trying to hit.

o   This includes getting things out or putting things in your bag, making unnecessary noise.

o   Talking, rattling coins and tees in your pocket.

o   Standing where they don't want you to stand. ASK before you walk thirty yards ahead of them EARLY in the round. If they don’t like it because it distracts them, then don’t do it!

6.   When you know you’re hitting into the sun, help your playing competitors keep an eye on their ball. 

7.   Be aware of your shadow when your playing competitors are hitting or putting.

8.   When marking your ball on the putting green…use a coin or ball mark, avoid using a golf tee! It IS distracting AND your opponent might hit it or worse yet, hit a bad putt trying to avoid your tee.

o   BTW - marking with a natural object like a twig or leaf violates the Rules of Golf and is a 1 stroke penalty.

9.   When hitting out of a bunker – always use the rake to smooth your footprints after the shot.

10. Repair your pitch mark on the green (and more if you see them). It takes much longer for the greens to heal themselves if you don’t!

11. Everyone gets ‘antsy’ when they play and want to move to the next hole (or upset after a bad hole or score). I see this a lot in high school golf.

o   Show common courtesy to your playing competitors and avoid doing anything that will distract them or make them feel uncomfortable. Golf is a gentlemen’s sport! If you finish the hole first, pick up the flagstick and put it back in the hole when your playing competitors are done with the hole.