Golf Etiquette Hub

Golf Etiquette: How to Behave

Pace of play, Ready Golf, course care, conduct on the green… Everything you need to play well and make sure others want to play with you.

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What is golf etiquette?

Golf etiquette is the set of conduct standards and practices that keep the game safe, fair, and enjoyable for everyone on the course. Unlike the Rules of Golf — which determine what you can do with your ball — etiquette governs how you behave toward fellow players, caddies, course staff, and the course itself.

Most etiquette is not in the official Rules of Golf, but parts of it are: pace of play (Rule 5.6), order of play (Rule 5.4), and care of the course (Rules 12 and 13) all have regulatory backing. Violating them can result in real penalties.

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The three pillars of golf etiquette

1. Pace of play

The R&A recommends that a foursome complete 18 holes in no more than 4 hours. Rule 5.6b requires players to play at a prompt pace — the standard is no more than 40 seconds per strokeonce it's your turn. Slow play is the single biggest complaint in recreational golf. Ready Golf — playing when it's your turn and safe to do so — is officially endorsed by both the R&A and USGA for stroke play.

2. Conduct toward others

Golf has a strong tradition of self-regulation and respect. Key expectations include: standing still and silent when a player addresses the ball; not walking through another player's line on the putting green; keeping mobile phones silent; and acknowledging good shots. The honour system — the player with the best score on the previous hole plays first from the next tee — is enshrined in Rule 5.4.

3. Care of the course

Every player is responsible for leaving the course in the same or better condition than they found it. That means: fixing ball marks on the green (and since the 2019 Rules update, spike marks and other damage too, per Rule 13.1c(2)); raking bunkers after play (Rule 12.2b(3)); replacing or pressing down divots; and not leaving trolley or buggy tracks near greens.

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Frequently asked questions about golf etiquette

How long do I have to play each shot in golf?+
Rule 5.6b requires you to play at a prompt pace. The recommended standard is no more than 40 seconds per stroke once it's your turn. The Committee can set a specific timing policy with penalties: 1 stroke for the first bad time, 2 strokes for the second, and disqualification for a third violation.
What is Ready Golf and when should I use it?+
Ready Golf means playing when you're ready and it's safe to do so, without waiting for the strict honour order. Both the R&A and USGA officially recommend it for stroke play to keep up the pace of play. It's not appropriate in match play, where order of play can be tactical.
Am I required to repair ball marks on the green?+
Yes — repairing ball marks is part of course care. Additionally, since the 2019 Rules update (Rule 13.1c(2)), you can also repair spike marks, equipment indentations and other damage on the putting surface caused by any person or outside influence.
Who has the honour on the first hole?+
On the first tee, the order of play is determined by agreement or by lot. From the second hole onwards, in stroke play the player with the lowest score on the previous hole plays first. In match play, the player who won the previous hole plays first.
Is raking the bunker after play mandatory?+
Failing to rake isn't penalised under the Rules, but raking bunkers is an etiquette obligation required by Rule 12.2b(3). Leaving a bunker unraked can adversely affect other players and is considered a serious breach of etiquette.
Can I wear headphones during a round?+
The Rules don't specifically ban headphones, but using audio players to listen to music is regulated under Rule 4.3a — a player cannot use equipment to get assistance. Beyond that, wearing headphones can distract playing partners and goes against the spirit of golf etiquette.

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3Pace of Play

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Slow Play Penalty in Golf: When and How It's Applied

When slow play becomes a penalty in golf. How the Committee's timing policy works, the penalty scale, and what you can do to avoid a bad time.

7Conduct

Conduct

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What a gimme is in golf, why they only exist in match play, and the unwritten rules around conceding putts in casual and competitive rounds.

Conduct

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What clothing is allowed and prohibited on golf courses. Dress codes at private clubs, public courses, and in federated competition.

Conduct

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Conduct

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What the rules say about mobile phones on the golf course, when using one is fine, when it isn't, and the etiquette expectations most clubs have around phones.

Conduct

Order of Play in Golf: Honour, Rules and When It Changes

How order of play is determined in golf. The honour system, Rule 5.4, what happens when you play out of turn, and when Ready Golf applies.

Conduct

Playing Golf with Strangers: What to Know Before You Tee Off

Getting paired with strangers on the golf course can be awkward — until you know the unwritten rules. Speed, honesty, and conversation: how to make it work.

Conduct

Putting Green Etiquette: What You Can and Can't Do

What you can and can't do on the putting green. Putting line, ball mark repair, flagstick rules, and where to stand while partners putt. Official 2019 Rules.

3Course Care

Course Care

Bunker Etiquette: How to Rake and Leave It Properly

How to enter, play from, and rake a golf bunker correctly. Where to leave the rake, how to smooth footprints and blast marks, and why it matters for everyone else.

Course Care

Golf Carts, Buggies and Caddies: Rules and Etiquette

Rules for using trolleys, electric buggies, and caddies in golf. When they're permitted, player responsibilities, and etiquette. Rule 10.3 explained.

Course Care

Repairing the Golf Course: Divots, Bunkers and Ball Marks

How to care for the golf course. When and how to repair divots, rake bunkers, and fix ball marks on the green. Rules 12 and 13 of the Rules of Golf.