Golf etiquette and "ready golf"

Golf, often called the gentleman‘s game, has always stood apart for its emphasis on courtesy, honor, and self regulation. Golf still asks something rare of its players: respect for the game, the course and each other. Here's a look at some traditional rules of golf etiquette that continue to hold strong relevance today.

Respect for others on the course

Silence during a swing standing still while someone is putting, and not stepping on another players putting line these small courtesies are non-negotiable in maintaining the quiet concentration that golf demands. Even with AirPods and GPS rangefinders in play the unwritten rule of giving fellow golfers the space and silence they need remains a hallmark of good sportsmanship.

Playing "Ready Golf"

Ready Golf means thinking ahead so that you're ready to play when it is your turn. Ready Golf applies everywhere on the golf course — on the tees, on the fairways and on the greens. Ready golf does not mean rushing. If you prepare your shots in advance, you can take your time and play Ready Golf.

On the Tee

• Be ready to tee it up; no casual conversations, stretching exercises, etc. on the tee box. Your tee shot should not take any longer than 40 seconds (that includes ONE practice swing).
• Shorter hitters should hit first.
• Carry an extra ball in your pocket.

On the Fairway

• Take appropriate clubs to your ball (one shorter, one longer and one just right) and hit without delay.
• Limit search for lost balls to 2 minutes. Complete your shot before helping another player find her ball.
• The cart driver should drive her partner to her ball, let her partner choose her clubs, then immediately drive to her own ball (if it’s not in the other player’s “line of fire”) and get ready to play.
• If the player with the ball that’s farthest out is not ready to hit and you are, then go ahead and hit your ball.

On the Green

• Place your extra clubs on the ground between the green and the path to your golf cart so you don’t forget them.
• Study your putt while others are putting. When you putt, you want to take your time so you make a smooth, unhurried stroke. If you’re properly prepared, you should be able to approach the ball, take your stance (including ONE practice swing) and make your putt within 20 seconds.
• If the player with the ball that’s farthest out is not ready to putt and you are, then go ahead and putt.
• Leave the green immediately after holing out and proceed promptly to the next tee. Wait until you reach the next tee box before putting away clubs and entering your score on the card.

Care for the course

Replacing divots, raking bunkers and fixing ball marks on the green, these practices show respect not just for the course, but for the next golfers behind you. Even with maintenance crew and groundskeepers, golfers are still expected to do their part in preserving the integrity of the playing surface.

Honesty and integrity

At the heart of golf is the idea that players police themselves, calling penalties on themselves and counting every stroke. Golf has always been more than a sport. It’s a character building exercise while the tools and temple may have changed. The spirit of etiquette remains essential in honoring these enduring customs. We don’t just keep tradition alive, we ensure that golf continues to be a game worth playing and one that still teaches us how to be better people.