Unspoken Rules of Golf: Top Etiquette Tips Every Player Must Follow

If you’re here, chances are you’re already a golf enthusiast—you know the lingo, the gear, and who’s making waves on the course. But here’s the thing: while we’re all out there perfecting our swing and chasing that perfect shot, there are a few unsaid rules lurking in the background that we tend to overlook. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a rookie still learning the ropes, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the game and forget the little things that keep the course running smoothly. So, let’s step back for a moment and talk about the unspoken code of golf.

Spoiler alert: it’s not something as major as the pace of play (that’s a battle reserved for LPGA and PGA Tour pros to fight for). No, this is the stuff that keeps the game classy and your fellow golfers grateful.

On-court etiquette: How to be a class act

1. Keep the shoes clean: Yes, it’s the most basic one, hence very likely to slip off from your head. Imagine you’re gearing up to tee off, and you spot clumps of sand from your fellow golfer’s shoes all over the green, or worse—dirt and grass making their way through the clubhouse or restaurant. Not the best look, right? Well, if you want to avoid being that golfer, take a moment to tap off any leftover bits from your shoes. It’s a quick move that’ll keep things tidy and save your fellow golfers from a mess they didn’t sign up for.

2. FORE should be your go-to syllable on the green: While most golfers probably don’t know where “fore” came from, they sure know what it means. It’s one of those unwritten rules that boils down to simple respect. When you’re hitting a ball at a speed over 100 mph, common courtesy says you should probably give a heads-up if it’s headed towards someone. Yet, when an errant shot is on its way, suddenly silence falls. Sure, it’s awkward when a shot goes sideways, but it’s even worse if it hits someone and you have to explain why you didn’t call it “fore.”

When in doubt, always play it safe. Not sure if the ball will make it to them? Call it anyway. Can’t see if anyone’s on the other side of those trees? Better to shout out just to be sure. And if they really shouldn’t be standing there, well… tough luck, still yell “fore!”

And hey, when you do say it, make sure they can actually hear you. Mumbling it so quietly that your playing partner in the cart can barely catch it won’t do much for that group 200 yards away.

3. Putting lines are not for a walk:  Here’s a golden rule, especially if you’re just starting out: don’t step on someone’s putting line. Seriously, this is one of those things that can cause some serious drama on the course—whether you’re a pro or an amateur. You’ve seen it, right? Pros getting an earful from their partners, and don’t even get started on the turf wars that break out at municipal courses. The rule? Putting lines go all the way from behind the ball to past the hole. If you’re not sure whether you’re about to stomp all over someone’s line, just walk around it. It’ll save you from unnecessary tension and keep the peace.

4. What’s not yours shall be returned: This one’s pretty straightforward: “finders-keepers” don’t fly on the golf course. If you stumble upon a stray club, even if it’s a shiny new Titleist Vokey wedge or a fancy Masters towel just chilling in the fairway, don’t even think about pocketing it. Golf is about etiquette, not scavenging.

That ball sitting in the middle of the fairway? If it’s not from your group, just leave it be. Taking someone else’s lost gear isn’t just bad form—it’s borderline stealing. So, don’t be that person who walks away with someone’s lost treasure. If it’s not yours, leave it where it is or, even better, just inform the club about it.

5. Tiger Woods’ divot-free dream (but not for the rest of us): Remember when Tiger Woods made that viral statement about how, when he’s playing his best golf, he literally doesn’t take divots? Well, of course, it’s Woods—so that whole divot-free game can totally be his thing. But, let’s be real, not all of us are Tiger Woods, and that’s just not a fair expectation.

When you do hit a divot while teeing off, the courteous thing to do is replace it if it’s large enough. Or at least try to repair the damage. It’s all about keeping the course in good shape for the next group. If the divot is too broken up to replace, just mark the spot and make sure to fill it with sand or the sand-and-seed mix the course provides. It’s a small move that makes a big difference!