Golf Etiquette: Pace of Play, Divots and Course Courtesy

Good golf etiquette rules are less about stuffy tradition than about three simple things: playing safely, keeping the round moving, and leaving the course as you found it. Nobody expects a beginner to know every custom, but a player who keeps up with the group in front, repairs the ground they disturb and stays quiet while others swing will be welcome on any course. This guide covers the etiquette that matters most, from pace of play to how to behave on the green.

Keep up with the group in front

The single most important courtesy in golf is pace of play, and the rule of thumb is easy to remember: your job is to keep up with the group ahead of you, not merely to stay in front of the group behind. If a clear hole opens up in front of you, you are falling behind and should pick up the pace. A fourball on an 18-hole course should be looking to finish in around four hours.

Play ready golf

Strict order of play, where the person furthest from the hole always goes first, wastes time in a friendly round. "Ready golf" simply means hitting when you are ready and it is safe to do so. A few habits make a big difference:

• Think about your shot while others are playing theirs, so you are ready when it is your turn.
• Take one practice swing at most, then commit and hit.
• Park trolleys and bags on the side of the green nearest the next tee.
• Write down scores at the next tee, not while standing on the green you have just finished.

Let faster groups play through

If your group is slower than the one behind, whether you are searching for a ball or simply having an off day, wave them through. Stand to one side, let them play the hole, and carry on once they are safely ahead. It costs you a couple of minutes and removes all the pressure from your own round. Under the Rules of Golf you should also limit any ball search to three minutes.

Look after the course

Every golfer leaves marks on the course, and etiquette is about putting them right. Replace divots on the fairway and firm them down, or use the seed mix provided. Rake bunkers after you have played from them, leaving the rake where the club asks. On the green, repair your pitch mark, and one other if you can, with a tee or a repair tool, then tap it flat with your putter. A course where everyone does this stays in far better condition for the next group.

Safety comes first

Never play a shot until the group in front is well out of range, and never swing a club when someone is standing close by. If your ball heads towards another player, shout "fore" loudly and without hesitation; it is always better to call it than to risk an injury. If you hear the shout, turn away and protect your head rather than looking up to find the ball.

Courtesy on the green and around the group

Stay still and quiet while a playing partner is over the ball, and stand out of their eyeline. On the green, avoid walking across the line between another player's ball and the hole, as footprints affect the roll, and keep your shadow off their line. Keep phones on silent, and tend or attend the flag if a partner asks. These small habits are what make a group pleasant to play with.

Ready to put it into practice? Our green fees and booking guide covers turning up for a round at Lullingstone Park, or head back to the Lullingstone Park homepage to plan your visit. For the formal side of the game, the R&A publishes the Rules of Golf, which sit alongside the etiquette above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the basic rules of golf etiquette?

Keep up with the group in front, not just ahead of the group behind. Repair the damage you cause: replace divots, rake bunkers and fix your pitch marks on the green. Stay still and quiet while others play, keep safety in mind before every shot, and let a faster group play through if you are holding them up.

What does pace of play mean in golf?

Pace of play is how quickly a group gets round the course. A fourball on an 18-hole course should aim for around four hours. The simplest rule is to keep pace with the group ahead of you; if a clear hole opens up in front, wave the group behind through.

What is ready golf?

Ready golf means playing when you are ready and it is safe, rather than always waiting for the player furthest from the hole to go first. Get to your ball, take one practice swing at most, and be ready to hit. Used sensibly it can save a lot of time without any loss of safety or courtesy.

When should I shout fore?

Shout "fore" loudly the moment a ball looks like it could reach another player, whether on your hole or the next one. It is better to call it and be wrong than to stay quiet. If you hear it, turn away and cover your head rather than looking to see where the ball is.

Do public golf courses have a dress code?

Most public and pay-and-play courses are relaxed but still expect neat, sports-appropriate clothing: a collared shirt or sports top, no football shirts, and proper golf or trainer-style shoes. It is always worth checking the individual club before you arrive.