What You Need To Know About Golf Etiquette

Golf etiquette is an essential part of the game. Unfortunately, not all golfers display good  etiquette and can spoil the game for others. Make sure you are not one of them. Follow the guidelines below:

Keep It Safe

	Do not swing your club if others in your group are not at a safe distance. Remember to keep your distance when others are swinging.
	When practicing your swing, never swing in the direction of another player. There may be pebbles or twigs or other matter in the grass that could fly up and injure a playing partner.
	Do not hit the ball until you are certain that the group ahead of you is out of range.
	If your ball appears headed toward another player or another group, give them a warning by yelling out, "Fore!"
	Observe the safety suggestions posted in golf carts and drive carefully. Golf etiquette requires keeping your cart off the grass as much as possible.
	Never throw clubs in anger. In addition to being rude and childish, it could also be dangerous.

Maintain a Good Pace

	Keep the round moving by always being prepared to hit your shot when it is your turn. You probably don't like waiting on other groups - don't make others wait on you.
	The player who is away hits first in a group. However, in friendly matches, this rule can be ignored in favor of "ready play" - players hit as they are ready. Make sure all players agree to this before you start.
	Do not spend too much time looking for a lost ball, particularly if there is a group behind you ready to play. If you insist on taking the full five minutes allotted in the rulebook to look for lost balls, ensure you wave up the group behind to allow them to play through.
	Always try to keep pace with the group ahead of you. If space opens in front of you, allow a faster group to play through.
	Always leave the putting green as soon as your group has finished putting.

Be Kind to the Course

	Observe cart rules. Some courses will post "cart path only" signs; others will ask you to observe the "90-degree rule." Do as you are told.
	Keep carts away from greens and hazards. The wheels on carts can damage these sensitive areas.
	Repair your divots in the fairway.
	Repair your ball marks on the green.
	Always rake sand bunkers after hitting to erase your footprints and damage to the area where your ball was.
	Avoid taking a divot on a practice swing.

And a Few More Hints

	Quiet, please! Never talk during another player's swing.
	Do not yell out following a shot. Even if boisterous behavior doesn't bother your playing partners, there are other people on the course who may be within earshot.
	Be aware of your shadow on the putting green. Don't stand in a place that causes your shadow to be cast across another player or that player's putting line.
	Never walk through a playing partner's putting line. Your footprints might alter the path of a partner's putt. Step over the putting line, or walk around (behind) the partner's ball.

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