GOLF ETIQUETTE and PACE of PLAY
www.usga.org/rules/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") In the interest of all players, play without delay. Be ready to play when it is your turn and keep pace with the group in front of you. Unless you are the first group out, there should never be an open hole (no players on the next hole) in front of you! Take only one practice swing at the ball for long shots.
-
Leaving the green: When play of a hole has been completed, immediately leave the putting green, preferably to the side closest to the next hole or behind the hole, not off the front. mark your card, and ask for scores when you get to the next tee so that the next group may advance as quickly as possible.
-
Distractions: At all times, when a player is addressing the ball or making a stroke - no talking! Make sure you are standing 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.
-
Ready Golf: In the interest of all players, play without delay. Be ready to play when it is your turn and keep pace with the group in front of you.
-
At 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. Your footprints may alter the path of a player's putt. Step over the putting line, or walk around the player's ball.
-
Flagsticks: Properly replace flagsticks before leaving the putting green, taking care not to damge the edge of the hole. First person to putt out, tends the stick.
-
Sand Bunkers and Rakes: Before leaving a bunker, a player should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints. Rakes belong outside the bunker near the edge.
-
Divots and Ball Marks: A player should ensure that any divot hole made by her and any damage to the putting green made by a ball is carefully repaired. Try to do this without
slowing down play.
-
Practice Swings Players should avoid causing damage to the course, particularly the teeing grounds. Put sand in any divots.
-
Warnings: If your ball appears headed toward another player or group, give a warning by yelling out "FORE".