Golf Etiquette for Beginners: How to Feel at Home on Your First Round
If you're new to golf, the unwritten rules can feel more daunting than the game itself. Where do you stand? When do you shout "Fore!"? What do you do with that little dent your ball has made on the green?
The good news is that golf etiquette comes down to three simple things: keeping everyone safe, being considerate to other golfers and looking after the course. Get those right and you'll fit in on any course, whatever your score. The Rules of Golf actually open with this "spirit of the game", ahead of any rules about penalties and drops.
At Dainton Park, we've been saying golf is for everyone since 1993. Nobody here expects you to be perfect. What other golfers appreciate is someone who is clearly keen to learn, keeps things moving and leaves the course as they found it. Here's everything you need to know before your first round.
Arrive early and get settled
Good etiquette starts in the car park. Aim to arrive 30 minutes before your tee time so you can check in at the Pro Shop, change your shoes and roll a few putts on the practice green. If you've got time, hit a handful of balls on the range to loosen up.
Rushing to the 1st tee with seconds to spare is no fun for anyone, least of all you. Being there 10 minutes early keeps you relaxed and keeps the tee sheet running on time.
Before you head out, check you have:
• Plenty of balls, as beginners usually get through a few
• Tees, a ball marker (a coin is fine) and a pitch mark repairer
• A clean towel and some water
• Your phone on silent
Ask about local rules and the dress code
Every club has its own local rules, and checking them is part of good etiquette. When you check in, don't be shy about asking the Pro Shop team:
• "Is there a dress code I should know about?"
• "Are buggies and trolleys allowed everywhere today?"
• "Are there any local rules I should look out for?"
A collared golf shirt, smart trousers or tailored shorts and golf shoes or clean trainers will be welcome at almost any club. Denim and sports shorts are usually best left at home. In wet weather or over winter, you may find trolleys aren't allowed on certain areas, preferred lies are in play or some greens are temporary. The back of the scorecard and the club noticeboard will tell you what's in play that day.
Say hello on the 1st tee
If you're joining other golfers, introduce yourself and don't be afraid to mention you're new. Most golfers remember their own first rounds and will happily help you along.
On the Tee and Fairway
Know whose turn it is
On the 1st tee, it doesn't matter who goes first. After that, the player with the lowest score on the previous hole has the "honour" and tees off first. On the fairway, whoever is furthest from the hole usually plays next.
That said, most clubs now encourage ready golf in friendly rounds, which simply means whoever is ready and safe to play goes next. It's one of the easiest ways to keep things moving.
When it's your turn on the tee, tee your ball up between the tee markers or up to two club-lengths behind them, never in front.
Stand in the right place
When someone else is playing, stand to the side, roughly level with their ball and facing them, a few paces away. Never stand directly behind them on the line of their shot, or anywhere ahead of the ball. If you're not sure, just ask: "Am I alright here?"
Be still and quiet during shots
When another golfer is over the ball, your job is easy: stay still and stay quiet. That means no chatting, no rattling clubs in the bag, no ripping open a glove and no practice swings in their eyeline. Save the banter for the walk down the fairway.
Wait until it's safe, and shout "Fore!" if it isn't
Never play until the group in front is well out of range. Remember, everyone hits a career shot now and then! On a par 3, wait until they've left the green.
If your ball is heading anywhere near another person, shout "Fore!" loudly and straight away. If you can, point in the direction the ball is going. Nobody will think less of you for it, but they will if you stay quiet.
If you hear "Fore!", don't look up to find the ball. Crouch down, cover your head with your arms and turn away from the direction of the shout.
Keeping Up the Pace
Ask most golfers about their pet hate and they won't say a high score, they'll say slow play. Your aim is to keep up with the group in front, not stay ahead of the group behind. A four-ball should get round 18 holes in about four hours.
A few simple habits make a big difference:
• Think about your next shot as you walk to your ball, so you're ready to play when you get there.
• Keep practice swings to one, or none at all on a busy day.
• Park your trolley or bag on the side of the green nearest the next tee, so you can walk straight off.
• If you're struggling on a hole, pick up. In a friendly round or a Stableford, once you can't score any points on a hole, pop your ball in your pocket and wait for the others to finish.
Lost balls and provisionals
Losing a ball or two is part of the game, especially on a parkland course with a few lakes in play. Under the Rules of Golf, you have three minutes to look for a ball once you start searching. After that it's lost.
If you think your tee shot might be lost or out of bounds (white stakes), save time by hitting a provisional ball before you leave the tee. Just make sure you say "I'm playing a provisional" first, otherwise the second ball becomes your ball in play.
If your ball finds water, look at the colour of the stakes around it. These are penalty areas (red or yellow stakes) and come with their own options for taking a drop. Ask your playing partners if you're unsure, as they'll be happy to talk you through it.
Calling the group behind through
If the hole in front of you is empty and the group behind is waiting on every shot, it's good manners to let them play through. Wait until you're safely to the side, or until you've reached the next tee, give them a wave and say "Do you want to come through?"
Once they're on their way, carry on with your round. Nobody will think twice about it, and you'll enjoy your game more without feeling rushed.
On The Green
The green is where etiquette matters most, and where experienced golfers notice the little things.
Mark your ball
Once your ball is on the green, place a marker or coin directly behind it before you pick it up. That way you can give it a wipe and stay out of everyone else's way. If your marker is on someone's line, they may ask you to move it a putter-head to one side. Just remember to move it back before you putt, as forgetting is a penalty!
Mind the line
Every putt has a "line", the path the ball will take to the hole. Try not to walk on anyone's line, including the bit just past the hole, and make sure your shadow isn't falling across it while they putt.
Agree on the flag
You're allowed to putt with the flagstick in or out, so have a quick word with your group. If it's coming out, lay it down gently on the edge of the green, well away from anyone's line.
Repair your pitch mark
When your ball lands on the green, it often leaves a small dent called a pitch mark. Repairing it is one of the easiest ways to show you know your stuff:
Push your pitch mark repairer (or a tee) into the ground at the edge of the mark.
Gently ease the grass towards the centre. Don't lever the soil upwards.
Work your way round the mark, then tap it flat with the bottom of your putter.
If you spot another one nearby, fix that too. Our greenkeepers will thank you!
Keep bags and trolleys off
Never take your bag, trolley or buggy onto the green, and keep trolleys off the fringe and away from bunkers too.
Head straight to the next tee
Once everyone has holed out, put the flag back and head off. Mark your scores on the next tee, not on the green, so the group behind can play in.
Looking After the Course
The golden rule is to leave the course as you'd hope to find it. Our greenkeepers work hard all year round, and a few seconds of care from every golfer goes a long way.
Replace your divots
If your iron shot takes out a chunk of turf, go and fetch it, put it back in place and press it down firmly with your foot. If there's sand or divot mix available, fill the hole and smooth it over.
On the tee, try to take your practice swings off to the side so you don't damage the teeing area.
Rake the bunker
Everyone ends up in a bunker sooner or later, so here's how to leave it the way you'd want to find it:
• Walk in from the low side nearest your ball, not down the steep face.
• Don't rest your club on the sand behind the ball or take a practice swing that touches the sand, as both are a penalty.
• Once you're out, rake over your footprints and the mark from your shot, then step out the way you came in.
• Put the rake back where you found it, or wherever the course signage asks.
Follow the signs
Ropes, white lines and signs around the course are there for a reason, usually to protect a worn area or a newly seeded patch. If you're taking a buggy or a trolley, keep it well away from tees and greens and follow any directions around the course.
Ready to Tee Off?
You don't need to know every rule on day one. Keep everyone safe, keep things moving and look after the course, and you'll be welcome in any group. The more you play, the more natural it all becomes.
If you'd like a helping hand, our Get Into Golf courses are the perfect place to start. Run by our friendly PGA Professionals, Rich Woods and Andy Ferris. You'll learn the basics alongside up to nine other beginners, and finish with a session out on the course to put your new etiquette into practice.
And once you've holed out on the 18th, there's no better 19th hole than our welcoming clubhouse, with a drink on the terrace and views back over the course.