An Introduction to Good Golf Etiquette
We’ve seen an increase in new members and people picking up a golf club for the first time at Came Down Golf Club, Dorset – which is fantastic!
For those new to the sport, good golf etiquette is all about respecting other players and the course whilst playing safely. Here’s a few pointers to get you started:
Respect other players
Be punctual – try to arrive 20-30 minutes before tee off to warm up, introduce yourself if you’re playing with people you don’t know and find out the order of play.
Don’t play until the group in front is beyond range.
Be polite and respectful to other players. Golf can be competitive but stay calm and collected under pressure and never throw your club!
Put your phone on silent and don’t use it during the game. If you’re using it to capture photos or videos from your day, don’t forget to tag us @camedowngolfclub!
Be as quiet as possible so as not to cause distraction.
Avoid slow play – try to avoid holding up the flow of the course by walking at a good pace between holes and planning shots in advance. Whilst waiting to play, decide which club to use next and take it out of the bag ready for your turn.
Try not to spend too long looking for the ball, play a provisional ball instead or signal for the group behind to play through.
Don’t cheat – keep a count of how many strokes you’ve played and don’t discount lost balls or ‘air shots’ to improve your score. If you lose a ball or it goes out of bounds, you need to replay from where the lost ball was struck, not from the point where you think it went missing.
Don’t be a backseat golfer! Hold back on giving advice unless your opinion is asked for.
Respect the course
Don’t litter, pick up broken tees and leave the course as you found it.
Play your part in keeping the course in top condition by repairing your pitch marks on the green, replacing divots in the fairways and raking bunkers to remove footprints and marks. Pick the ball up instead of scooping it out of the hole with your putter.
Make sure to return flagsticks to their holes - usually, the first player to complete the hole replaces the flag once the final player has finished.
Keep it safe
In a game where a hard ball flying through the air can reach speeds of over 200 miles per hour, it is important to play safely.
If your shot goes a bit ‘wayward’ and is your ball is heading towards another group or seems as though it may hit someone, shout “fore” to alert them.
Don’t stand too close to the person hitting the ball – aside from the potential danger, it can be incredibly off-putting.
Don’t leave any equipment in the way.
After completing a hole, move off the green and only mark scorecards when safely clear.
Priority on the course
Priority on the course is determined by a group’s pace of play. Any group (including single players) playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round.
Dress requirements in the clubhouse lounge and dining area:
Clean, smart casual wear is required, unless advised otherwise for matches, social functions, formal occasions etc.
For the avoidance of doubt and to avoid any possible embarrassment to the wearer or to those seeking to ensure compliance of these requirements, the following are NOT ACCEPTABLE:
Sports headgear of any description
Cut, bleached, frayed, stained or dirty clothing, however fashionable
Shell suits or tracksuits
Soccer and other similar logo emblazoned shirts
Sports shorts, i.e. those for soccer, rugby, athletic etc, beachwear and leisurewear
Regarding footwear, golf shoes are NOT permitted inside the lounge area. We kindly request you change your shoes before entering
Dress requirements on the course, practice ground and putting green:
Only recognised golf wear and golf shoes are acceptable
Additional Dress requirements:
Bare chests and midriffs are not acceptable outside the changing rooms
Clothing and shoes must not be changed in the car park
Mobile phones must be switched to silent in the clubhouse lounge and dining room. Also on the course, practise ground and putting green
Above all, golf is about having a fun and positive experience in the great outdoors, whilst socialising with others (and a bit of healthy competition of course!).
Are you interested in learning how to play golf? We have a dedicated Academy run by PGA professionals who will coach you at your own pace. Why not sign up for an hour induction and see if it’s for you?