Rules and Etiquette

Rules of Golf

• Royal and Ancient R&A Website
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Etiquette

You can conduct yourself as a good golfing citizen by respecting the game and your fellow golfers. Here are some basics to stick to:

Prior to play

• Arrive at least fifteen minutes before tee-time to check in at the Pro Shop.
• If you cannot meet your tee-time, contact the Pro Shop to cancel.
• Subject to other cancellations, you may be asked to change playing groups.
• Always drive your motorised cart within the rules.
• Be ready to play when it is your time to tee off.

Keep pace

• This underpins many of the other aspects of golf etiquette, which are designed to help play your round as efficiently as possible, especially in competition.
• Keep up with the group ahead and don’t hold up the group behind.
• The lowest marker of the group is responsible for the group’s pace of play.
• A playing group of four should aim to complete a round of 18 in four hours.

On the tee

• Do not wheel your buggy on to the tee area.
• Mark your ball so you can identify it.
• Hit ONLY when golfers ahead of you are out of range.
• Stand still and facing other golfers while they are hitting.
• Watch where all balls go to avoid time spent looking for lost balls.
• Yell the warning “FORE!” if your ball is heading towards another golfer.
• Repair your divot.

On the fairway

• Walk directly to your ball unless you reach someone else’s ball first.
• Assist playing partners when needed by bringing clubs or finding lost balls.
• Place your bag or cart near you when hitting.
• Take no more than one practice swing.
• Player furthest from the hole usually plays first, but golfers out of range in front of the group can play first if ready.
• Repair your divot and others you might see while walking the fairways.

On the green

• • Do not wheel your buggy across the green.
  • Place your bag or cart between the green and the next tee.
  • Take all clubs you may need.
  • Repair your own ball marks and others.
  • Avoid stepping on another player’s putting line.
  • Players begin putting when all balls are on the green.
  • The player furthest away from the hole putts first.
  • On long putts, ask another player to attend the flagstick.
  • Mark your ball position if it is in the path of another player’s putting line.
  • Record all scores on the next tee.

Course Care