Golf Etiquette: 7 Unwritten Rules Every Player Should Know

Beyond the rule book, golf has a code. Here are the seven habits that mark you as a player worth playing with — and the ones that don't.

The official rules of golf cover 250 pages. The unwritten code is shorter, and arguably matters more. Break the official rules and you take a stroke. Break the etiquette code and you don't get invited back.

1. Repair your ball marks. And one more.

Always fix your own pitch mark on the green. Then fix one more — preferably someone else's, left from the group ahead. Greens get better. So do you.

2. Don't stand in someone's line

When playing partners are putting, stay out of their line of sight, off their target line, and don't cast a shadow across their path to the hole.

3. Be ready when it's your turn

"Ready golf" is the standard now. Have your club, distance, and shot picked before you step up. The group behind will love you for it.

4. Rake the bunker. Properly.

Smooth the entire disturbed area, not just your footprint. Leave the rake where the next group can find it (most courses prefer it inside the bunker, parallel to play).

5. Replace divots in fairways

Fairway divots that fly in one piece go back in the hole. Divots that explode get sand from the cart's seed mix. Don't walk past it.

6. Cell phones on silent

Set it to vibrate before the first tee. Take calls behind the cart, not on the green.

7. Pace of play is sacred

A foursome should finish 18 holes in 4 hours, 15 minutes. If you fall a hole behind, let the group behind play through. No one cares about your score. Everyone cares about waiting.

Etiquette isn't formality. It's just respect — for the course, the group behind, and the people you're playing with. Get it right and you're welcome anywhere. Get it wrong and word travels fast.

PS: A divot tool in your pocket makes rule #1 a lot easier. Carry the right kit →