GOLF ETIQUETTE and PACE of PLAY
www.usga.org/rules/etiquette
GOLF ETIQUETTE
The importance of golf etiquette:
1. Safety of all golfers
2. Keep up the pace of play
3. Maintain the quality of the golf course
Know the rules of golf. Play with honesty and integrity.
- Pace of Play (see "Ready Golf" on rlga website or as next week’s topic!)
- Be ready to play when it is your turn and keep pace with the group in front of you. There should not be an open hole in front of you. Be mindful of excessive practice swings. Put sand in any divots created.
- Distractions: Do not talk while players are hitting. Stand well out of the player's line of sight with no observable movement. On the green, do not stand close to or directly behind the ball or the hole.
- Divots and Ball Marks: Take a few seconds to repair any fairway divot holes (with sand) or putting green ball marks before continuing with your round. (Proper technique for ball mark repair https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/course-care/infographics/infographic--how-to-repair-a-ball-mark.html)
- Sand Bunkers and Rakes: After hitting out of a bunker, a player should carefully rake any holes and footprints. Rakes are placed outside the bunker near the edge.
- Approaching the green: Leave golf carts, pull carts, and bags on the side of the green nearest to the next tee.
- Putting Lines: Never walk through a player's putting line. Step over it or walk around the player's ball to avoid your footprint altering the path of the player’s putt.
- Flagsticks: Properly replace flagsticks before leaving the green, taking care not to damage the edge of the hole. First person to putt out tends the stick.
- Leave the green to the back or to the (next adjacent hole) side, not off the front. Mark scorecards at the next tee.
- Warnings: If your ball appears headed toward another player or group, give a warning by yelling out "FORE". Better safe than sorry!
- Scoring: Discrepancies should be politely addressed. For example, "Please review your score” or "I think you may have forgotten a stroke (or penalty)”, etc. Discrepancies should be settled before scorecards are signed and submitted. If a player signs for a lower score, they would be disqualified even after the card is attested and submitted.