Golf's etiquette is really just courtesy and common sense — looking after each other's safety, the course, and everyone's time. Get these right and you'll be a welcome partner in any group, whatever you shoot. Tap any topic to open it.
Safety First
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Never hit into the group ahead — and shout "Fore!"
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The one rule with real stakes: a golf ball can seriously hurt someone. Wait until the group ahead is safely out of range before you hit.
- If your ball looks like it may head toward anyone, shout "Fore!" loudly and immediately — that's the universal warning to duck and cover.
- If you hear "Fore!", don't look up to find the ball — turn away and protect your head.
- Stand well clear and to the side when someone else is swinging, never directly ahead or behind.
Keeping Up the Pace
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Play "ready golf"
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In friendly rounds we don't stand on the formal "honor" system — we play ready golf: whoever is ready and safe to play, plays, regardless of who's farthest from the hole.
- Think through your shot while others are hitting, so you're ready when it's your turn.
- Go to your own ball rather than following the group to each ball in turn.
- On the tee, if the player with the honor isn't ready, someone else can go.
The simple goal: be ready to hit when it's safe, and you'll never hold anyone up.
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Keep up, and let faster groups through
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Your position on the course is measured by the group ahead of you, not the one behind. Keep pace with the group in front.
- If you fall a full hole behind and a group is waiting on you, invite them to play through — wave them up, stand aside, and let them pass. It's gracious and it resets everyone's pace.
- Park your cart or set your bag toward the next tee, not back where you came from, so you walk off promptly.
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Limit the search for a lost ball
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Looking for a ball is the biggest time-sink in golf. The rules allow three minutes to search — and in a friendly round, less is kinder.
- If you suspect your ball is lost or out of bounds, hit a provisional before walking forward — a second ball from the same spot, in case the first one is gone.
- Wave the group behind through if a search is taking a while.
- There's no shame in dropping a ball and playing on — the round matters more than one lost ball.
Care & Courtesy
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Leave the course better than you found it
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A little care keeps the course good for the groups behind you and for next week:
- Replace your divots (or fill them from the sand bottle on the cart).
- Rake bunkers after you play from them, smoothing out your footprints and the shot.
- Repair your ball marks on the green, and a spare one too — it takes seconds.
- Follow cart signs and the 90-degree rule; keep carts well off tees and greens.
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On the green & around the group
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Small courtesies make the round pleasant for everyone:
- Be still and quiet while someone is playing — no talking, no walking in their eye-line.
- Don't walk on another player's putting line, and don't let your shadow fall across it.
- The player nearest the hole tends the flagstick; the first one holed out can pull the pin.
- Silence your phone. A quick photo of the group is lovely; a ringing phone mid-swing is not.
Above all, be good company. Compliment a good shot, keep quiet on a bad one, and help a newcomer feel welcome. That's the whole game.