Most golf etiquette is about three things: respect the course, respect your group, respect the people behind you. Here's how to do all three without thinking about it.
When in doubt, call the pro shop and ask. Five minutes saves embarrassment.
When someone is addressing the ball (standing over it, ready to swing), stand still and stay quiet. Don't talk, walk, or rustle your bag. A 4-inch movement in their peripheral vision can ruin a swing.
Stand off to the side and slightly behind the player swinging — never directly behind them, never in front of them, never in their peripheral vision. The safe zone is to their right rear (for a right-handed golfer).
Silent or off. Texts are fine, calls aren't. If you must take one, walk away from the group. No music played out loud unless your whole group agreed — and never at private clubs.
"Honors" means whoever scored lowest on the prior hole tees off first. "Ready golf" — used at most courses — means whoever is ready, hits. Ready golf is faster and totally acceptable in casual rounds.
If everyone fixed their own damage, the course would be perfect for the next group. The three things you must do:
When you take a chunk of grass with an iron shot, replace it (just step on the flap) — or use the sand/seed mix that's in a bottle on your cart. Pour into the divot, smooth with foot.
When your shot lands on the green, it leaves a small dent. Use your repair tool: push the edges toward the center (don't pry up), then tap flat with your putter. Always fix yours; fix one extra if you see one.
After hitting from a sand trap, rake the area smooth — your footprints, the divot, and the area behind your ball. Leave the rake outside the bunker, parallel to the line of play.
Most courses target 4 hours 15 minutes for 18 holes. Slow play is the #1 complaint in golf. Here's how to keep moving:
The benchmark is simple: stay within one shot of the group in front. If you fall a hole behind, you're slow — speed up, or let the group behind play through.
If you're slow and the group behind is waiting on every shot, wave them up at the next par 3 or short par 4. Stand to the side of the green and let them tee off. Costs you 5 minutes, makes everyone happier.
Golf has a tipping culture, especially at upscale courses. Here's what's standard in the U.S.:
| Who | Standard tip | When |
|---|---|---|
| Bag drop / valet | $2–5 per bag | When they take your clubs from your car |
| Caddie (forecaddie) | $30–50 per player | Cash, end of round |
| Caddie (full caddie) | $80–150 per player | Cash, end of round |
| Beverage cart | $1–3 per drink, or 20% | Each visit |
| Pro shop / starter | $5–10 if they squeezed you in | Optional — only when they helped beyond standard |
| Cart attendant (cleaning your clubs after) | $5–10 | End of round |
| Locker room attendant (private clubs) | $5–10 | End of round |
Most public/municipal courses: no caddies, fewer attendants — tipping is light. Most private clubs and resorts: tipping is expected and noticed.