Golf etiquette

Preparation

• Be punctual.
• Observe the dress code (below).
• Observe and follow the Rules of Golf and the local rules of the golf course.
• Be ready to play your turn at all times. Swing leisurely and walk briskly. Avoid slow play and be considerate to other players at all times.
• Keep voices down in conversation. Avoid shouting and yelling on the course.
• Be aware of the safety of other golfers when taking warm-up practice swings.

Dress code — ladies

Golf dresses, golf skirts, shorts or Bermuda length shorts may be worn with a blouse or knitted shirt with a collar, tucked in at all times. Golf pants are permitted.

Dress code — gentlemen

Golf attire should be tailored and in good taste. Shorts with zipper and pockets may be worn with knee socks. Golf shirts must have a collar or be a turtle neck, and must be tucked in at all times.

On the tee

• Do not talk or make any noise when someone is teeing off.
• Do not stand in a position that will disturb the player teeing off.
• Tell the other players which ball you are using — mark and number it for identification.
• Make sure the group in front is out of range before you play.
• Carts should not be placed close to or on the tee area.
• Replace divots.

On the fairways

• Get ready when you are next to play.
• Replace divots, and do it properly.
• Do not walk ahead of other players, for safety.
• Once in play, a ball cannot be moved or cleaned, and the lie cannot be improved.
• If there is any possibility the ball is out of bounds or cannot be found, play a provisional ball.
• Do not spend more than 3 minutes searching for a lost ball.
• Keep pace — avoid leaving a clear hole in front of you.

In the bunker

• Enter and exit the bunker from the point closest to the ball.
• Do not practise in the bunker by touching the sand.
• Rake the sand and erase footprints and furrows.

On the putting green

• Repair ball marks.
• Carts should not be placed close to or on the green.
• Mark your ball when others are first to putt.
• Hold or remove the flag stick when others are first to putt.
• Put the flag stick down carefully, away from others' lines of putt.
• Do not step on others' putting lines, and walk carefully so as not to damage the green.
• Stand in a position that will not disturb others putting.
• Do not ask advice regarding speed of green, line of putt, and so on.
• Replace the flag stick as soon as the last player putts out, taking care not to damage the hole.
• Leave the green area promptly and do your scoring off the green.
• Move to the next tee as soon as possible and clear the green for the following group.
• Report the correct number of strokes played to the scorer. Declaring a lower score deliberately is cheating, and a matter of personal integrity.

Be courteous, and keep pace. Enjoy the game and ensure other players do the same.