Most golf etiquette is not a rule with a penalty. Rule 1.2a asks every player to play in the spirit of the game, by acting with integrity, showing consideration to others and taking good care of the course, and says there is no penalty under the Rules for falling short. A few items below are real rules with real penalties, and the table tells you which.
The ChecklistOn-course etiquette, grouped by situation
Tick each box as you learn it. The middle column says whether the item is a Rule of Golf (with the number), something Rule 1.2a asks of every player (no penalty), or a custom that is not written in the Rules at all.
On the tee
| Do this | Rule or custom | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| ☐ Tee off from inside the teeing area | Rule 6.1b | Hitting from outside it is two penalty strokes in stroke play. In match play there is no penalty, but your opponent may cancel the stroke. |
| ☐ Leave the tee-markers where they are | Rule 6.2b(4) | Moving a tee-marker before you play from that teeing area can cost the general penalty. If one is missing, ask the Committee for help. |
| ☐ Let the player with the honour tee off first | Rule 6.4 | Order from the tee depends on who has the honour. The order of play page shows how it is decided. |
| ☐ Stand still and stay quiet while someone hits | Rule 1.2a (no penalty) | Consideration for others includes not distracting the play of another player. |
| ☐ Be ready when it is your turn | Rule 5.6b (recommendation) | The Rules recommend a stroke in no more than 40 seconds once you can play without interference or distraction. |
| ☐ Wait until the group ahead is out of range | Custom | Not a numbered rule, but Rule 1.2a asks you to look out for the safety of others. |
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rules 1.2a, 5.6b, 6.1b, 6.2b and 6.4.
In the fairway
| Do this | Rule or custom | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| ☐ Replace your divots | Rule 1.2a (no penalty) | Rule 1.2a names replacing divots as part of taking good care of the course. |
| ☐ Play ready golf when it is safe | Rule 6.4b | In stroke play, players are allowed and encouraged to play out of turn in a safe and responsible way, as long as they do not endanger, distract or interfere with anyone. |
| ☐ Do not play out of turn to gain an edge | Rule 6.4b | There is no penalty for playing out of turn in stroke play, except that if two or more players agree to do it, each gets the general penalty (two penalty strokes). |
| ☐ Keep up with the group ahead | Rule 1.2a (no penalty) | Showing consideration includes playing at a prompt pace. See how long 18 holes should take. |
| ☐ Wave a faster group through if you are holding them up | Custom | Not a numbered rule. Some clubs post their own policy, so check with your club or committee. |
| ☐ Follow the course's cart signs | Custom | Cart paths and keep-off areas are set by each course. Rule 1.2a asks you not to cause unnecessary damage. |
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rules 1.2a and 6.4.
In bunkers
| Do this | Rule or custom | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| ☐ Smooth the bunker after you play out | Rule 1.2a (no penalty); allowed by Rule 12.2b(3) | Rule 1.2a lists smoothing bunkers as care of the course. Once your ball is outside the bunker, you may smooth the sand without penalty. |
| ☐ Do not test the sand with a club, hand or rake | Rule 12.2b(1) | Deliberately touching the sand to test its condition is a breach. The penalty is the general penalty. |
| ☐ Keep your club off the sand right behind or in front of the ball | Rule 12.2b(1) | The same goes for the practice swing and the backswing. The penalty is the general penalty. |
| ☐ Do not smooth the sand before your stroke if it helps your shot | Rule 12.2b(2) | Smoothing to care for the course is allowed, but you get the general penalty if it improves the conditions affecting your stroke. |
| ☐ Set your rake or bag down in the bunker if you need to | Rule 12.2b(2) | Placing clubs, equipment or other objects in the bunker is allowed. |
| ☐ Walk in and out where the face is lowest | Custom | Not in the Rules. It saves the lip and keeps the bunker easier to smooth. |
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rules 1.2a and 12.2b.
The full bunker rules, including relief, are in our bunker rules guide.
On the green
| Do this | Rule or custom | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| ☐ Repair your ball-mark, and any others you see | Rule 1.2a (no penalty); allowed by Rule 13.1c(2) | You may repair damage on the putting green with your hand, foot or other part of the body, or a normal ball-mark repair tool, without unreasonably delaying play. |
| ☐ Mark your ball before you lift it | Rule 13.1b | A ball on the putting green may be lifted and cleaned. The spot must be marked first, and the ball must be replaced on its original spot. |
| ☐ Brush away sand and loose soil if it is in your way | Rule 13.1c(1) | Sand and loose soil on the putting green may be removed without penalty. |
| ☐ Hold the flagstick only when the player asks | Rule 13.2b(1) | The player authorizes someone to attend the flagstick, and the Rule also lets the player leave it in the hole (Rule 13.2a). |
| ☐ Stay still and quiet while others putt | Rule 1.2a (no penalty) | Not distracting the play of another player. |
| ☐ Walk around other players' putting lines | Custom | Not in the Rules. Step around the space between a ball and the hole. |
| ☐ Put bags and carts down off the green, and leave when you are done | Custom | Not in the Rules. Write down the scores at the next tee, not beside the hole. |
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rules 1.2a, 13.1b, 13.1c and 13.2.
More on marking, lifting and repairs is in our putting green rules guide.
Pace of play
| Do this | Rule or custom | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| ☐ Take no more than 40 seconds for a stroke | Rule 5.6b (recommendation) | The 40 seconds starts once you are (or should be) able to play without interference or distraction. You should usually be able to play more quickly and are encouraged to. |
| ☐ Do not unreasonably delay play, on a hole or between two holes | Rule 5.6a | First breach is one penalty stroke, second is the general penalty, third is disqualification. A delay between holes is penalized on the next hole. |
| ☐ Know your event's pace policy | Rule 5.6b | The Committee should adopt a Pace of Play Policy, and it may set penalties for not following it. Check the scorecard or ask the pro shop. |
| ☐ Play ready golf in stroke play | Rule 6.4b | Allowed and encouraged when it is safe. See the order of play page. |
| ☐ Pick your club and read your shot while others hit | Custom | Not in the Rules. It is the easiest way to be ready inside the 40 seconds. |
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rules 5.6 and 6.4.
Safety
| Do this | Rule or custom | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| ☐ Shout "fore" right away if your ball may hit someone | Rule 1.2a (no penalty) | If a player plays a ball where there might be a danger of hitting someone, they should immediately shout a warning, such as the traditional "fore". |
| ☐ Look out for the safety of others | Rule 1.2a (no penalty) | Part of showing consideration to others. |
| ☐ Stop play if you think lightning is a danger | Rule 5.7a | You may stop if you reasonably believe there is danger from lightning, and you must report to the Committee as soon as possible. |
| ☐ Stop at once if the Committee suspends play | Rule 5.7b | For an immediate suspension for imminent danger, you must not make another stroke until play resumes. Breaching the Rule is disqualification. |
| ☐ Make sure nobody is close before a practice swing or a shot | Custom | Not a numbered rule, but it follows from looking out for the safety of others. |
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rules 1.2a, 5.7a and 5.7b.
Using itHow to use this checklist
Print the page and keep it in the bag for your first few rounds, or read down one group at a time before you play. The items marked with a rule number are the ones that can cost you strokes. The items marked "no penalty" are what the Rules expect of every golfer, and the items marked custom are how courses and playing partners usually run things.
A club or event can go further than the Rules. Under Rule 1.2b, the Committee may set its own standards in a Code of Conduct adopted as a Local Rule, and the Code may carry penalties such as a one-stroke penalty or the general penalty. Check the scorecard or ask the pro shop before a competition.
Watch forCommon mistakes
Treating a bunker like a practice area. Testing the sand, or touching it with a club right behind the ball or on the backswing, is a breach of Rule 12.2b(1). Smoothing is for after you play, not before.
Hitting from the wrong spot on the tee. A ball played from outside the teeing area is two penalty strokes in stroke play (Rule 6.1b).
Waiting when you could be ready. In stroke play, playing out of turn in a safe way is encouraged (Rule 6.4b). What is not allowed is agreeing with another player to play out of turn.
Thinking every etiquette lapse has a penalty. Most do not. Rule 1.2a says there is no penalty under the Rules for failing to act in the spirit of the game, though a Committee may disqualify a player for serious misconduct.
Leaving ball-marks and divots for the next group. Rule 1.2a names replacing divots and repairing ball-marks as part of taking good care of the course.
FAQQuick answers
Is golf etiquette part of the Rules of Golf?
Partly. Rule 1.2a sets out the conduct expected of all players: integrity, consideration for others and care of the course. There is no penalty for failing to do these things, except that a Committee may disqualify a player for serious misconduct. Specific rules, such as Rule 5.6 on pace and Rule 12.2b on bunkers, do carry penalties.
How long should I take over a shot?
Rule 5.6b recommends no more than 40 seconds after you are, or should be, able to play without interference or distraction. It also says you should usually be able to play more quickly and are encouraged to.
Can I be penalized for slow play?
Yes. Under Rule 5.6a, unreasonably delaying play is one penalty stroke for the first breach, the general penalty for the second and disqualification for the third. The 40-second guide in Rule 5.6b has no penalty of its own, but a Committee's Pace of Play Policy may.
Do I have to smooth the bunker?
No rule forces you to, but Rule 1.2a lists smoothing bunkers as part of taking good care of the course. Rule 12.2b(3) lets you smooth the sand once your ball is outside the bunker. Before your stroke, smoothing is allowed only if it does not improve the conditions affecting your stroke (Rule 12.2b(2)).
Can I play before it is my turn?
In stroke play, yes, if it is safe. Rule 6.4b says players are allowed and encouraged to play out of turn in a safe and responsible way. In match play, there is no penalty, but your opponent may cancel the stroke (Rule 6.4a). See the order of play guide.
Do I have to fix other people's ball-marks?
There is no penalty if you do not, but Rule 1.2a lists repairing ball-marks as part of taking good care of the course. Rule 13.1c(2) lets you repair damage on the putting green with a normal ball-mark repair tool, your hand or your foot, without unreasonably delaying play.