Before taking a shot or practice swing, make sure that no one is standing close by, or in a position where they could be hit by your club, the ball, or any stones, pebbles, or twigs that may be moved by your stroke or swing.

Consideration for other players

The player who “has the honor” (this is the person who had the lowest score on the previous hole), should be allowed to take their shot before his or her opponents or competitors tee their ball. No one should move, talk, stand close to or directly behind the ball or hole when a player is addressing a ball or taking a swing/stroke. Players should also ensure that those playing ahead of them are out of range before they take their shot so that they don’t risk striking them with their ball.

Pace of Play

In order to keep the flow of the game moving (and as a courtesy to the other players), each player should take their shot without delay. Players who are searching for their ball should signal any players or groups behind them to pass them (or “play through”) as soon as it is apparent that the ball will not easily be found.

Players should also let other groups who are playing at a faster pace play through. That is, if player is on a hole and notices that the group playing behind has caught up, let them go ahead. Once a group has been allowed to pass, the player should not continue to play until the passing group is out of range.

When a hole has been completed, players should leave the putting green immediately.

Priority on the Course

Unless special rules have been set, golfers playing in groups of two should have precedence over those playing in groups of three or four. In this case the larger groups should invite the smaller ones to play through.

While a single player technically has no standing and should give way to a group of any other number, often groups will let the single player play through as a courtesy since they are usually faster moving.

Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round.

Care of the course

Bunkers

If the ball lands in a bunker, the player should walk in a direct line through the sand to the ball. After taking the shot they should follow the path they used to enter the bunker to exit it. As the player leaves they should also carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints they made.

Replace Divots; Repair Ball-Marks and Spike Damage

During the approach to the green, players should ensure that any turf that is cut or displaced by them is replaced and pressed down so that it is level with the surrounding grass. Additionally, any damage to the putting green made by a ball should also be carefully repaired. Once all players in the group have completed the hole, any damage to the putting green caused by golf shoe spikes should be repaired.  Tools to help replace damage to the course are available at any golf pro shop.

Damage to Greens-Flagsticks, Bags, etc.

Players should take care to ensure that they do not damage the green when putting down their bags or the flagstick. A common rule of thumb is to place these items down on the grass at the edge of the green to prevent the greens from being damaged. In addition, they should ensure that neither they (nor their caddies if they are playing with them) damage the hole by standing to close to it when they are handling the flagstick.

Before leaving the putting green, players should make sure that the flagstick is properly placed in the hole.

Also, players should refrain from leaning on their putters, especially when removing a ball from the hole, as this can damage the surface of the green.

Golf Carts

All notices regarding the movement and use of golf carts should be strictly observed.

The most common of these signs is “cart paths only.” Usually posted when the course is wet, this sign limits the use of golf carts to the marked paths (so the carts are not allowed on the grass of the fairways and rough).

Damage from Practice Swings

When taking practice swings, players should avoid damaging the course, especially the tee box area, by ensuring that they remove an divots.