The Etiquette of Golf

5. Order of play: after the tee shot, all the way during the match, the order of play is always farthest from the hole is the first to hit the ball, and there are normally no exceptions. However, in friendly matches (as opposed to tournaments), this rule can be ignored in favour of "ready play", i.e. players hit as they are ready in order to accelerate pace and speed of play, see also below.

6. Pace of play: always play without delay at all times. It is paramount to be always at your ball, ready to hit, when is your turn. If, for any reason, you aren't ready, encourage one of your fellow players to hit on your behalf. Is important to begin planning your next shot as you approach the ball by studying the "environment" (wind, slopes, type of grass, wetness…) and analyzing your shot alternatives and not when is your turn to hit. Infact, when you reach your ball, you should only check the lie, select your ideal club, visualize your swing and just play it. Limit your (divotless) practice swings to just a few ones, and never ever practice swing towards anyone. Remember that you should always hit within 30-45 seconds of the previous golfer's stroke.

7. Speed of play: a good way to judge your speed is your position relative to the group in front and behind of you. You are playing with "good" speed if, as you approach your next shot, the forward group is just moving off. Never talk or tell stories that in anyway, even for a few seconds, may delay the speed of play…. You will always have time to chat when walking between holes or later at the clubhouse. Lastly, remember to proceed to the next hole immediately upon holing out.

8. Finding a lost ball: if you hit a shot into the woods and you suspect that the ball may be lost, you can play a second (provisional) ball according to the Rules of Golf (with one stroke of penalty). Remember that you have a total of 5 minutes for searching your ball (from the time when you reach the area where your ball may have landed). If you insist on taking the full five minutes to look for your lost ball, golf etiquette recommends to wave up the group (if there is a group behind you ready to play) to allow them to play through. Also remember that according to the Rules of Golf, if you played the provisional ball but you find your first ball, still in-play, you're obliged to continue playing with the first one.

9. Scoring: always fill the score card while proceeding to the next shot, never on the tee or green. Making other players ask what you score you had on the specific hole you just finished, is a breach of etiquette. At the time of holing out, as you take back your ball, clearly state, "Par," or, "birdy," or….whatever has been your score. It is recommendable to check the card occasionally to ensure accuracy.

10. Divots: always repair or replace your divots. In case this results impossible to do, you can try to use the toe of your shoes to kick in the turf around the edges of the divot or take (when existing) extra soil to recover, partially, the damage you created. In the green, don't forget to repair any pitch marks or indentations caused by your ball hitting the soil. However, always remember that, according to the Rule of Golf, you cannot make any reparation (before having hit your ball) if the damage itself is in your line of shot.

11. Bunkers: when you enter a bunker always do it from the low side. When you leave a bunker make sure you have removed all evidence that you were ever there. Some extra strokes with the rake to smooth the sand are always welcome. When you do it, just think all the times you have had to hit from another's footprints or bad raking, it will motivate you to leave the bunker in perfect state !

12. On The Green: the green and the tee are probably the most delicated areas where strictly following the golf etiquette will help yourself and your fellow players. First of all, be sure to not be on the line of putting of somebody else. Standing even with the ball left or right, at a considerate distance, is always correct. Never talk, whisper or make another noise while another player is putting. If your ball is on a player's line, always offer to remove it by marking it. When you mark and replace your ball on the green never advance it even infinitesimally, this is major breach of the etiquette and it would be indeed badly perceived. When removing the flag, don't drop it onto the green, always lower it gently and drop it just outside the green (the player whose ball is closest to the pin has the pin responsibilities). Lastly, if your ball hitting the green caused some damages, repair them as good as you can trying to "retrieve" a smooth surface where the ball mark was.

see the next 8 points of golf etiquette