Remember, a major breach of golf etiquette is hitting balls into groups ahead of you. It can result in injury, hostility, and delayed play. Always wait for the group ahead to clear a safe distance before taking your shot. Not only is it a sign of respect, but it also ensures a safer and more enjoyable game for everyone.
Respect the turf. Failing to repair fairway divots or ball marks on the green is not only poor golf etiquette but also damages the course for everyone following you. Fairway divots are chunks of turf displaced by your golf swing, often called“ beaver pelts.” Ball marks are those little dents( holes) your ball leaves on the green after your perfect shot lands there. Cool golfers always carry a divot repair tool in their pocket and take a minute to fix the damage they caused. The golfers in your group and those following you will be impressed by your respect for them and the course. Be a“ cool” golfer— fix your divots and ball marks!
Keep the course clean. Leaving trash, whether your own or that of others, on the golf course is not
Fill divot with sand mix. only disrespectful but harmful to the
environment. Especially those nasty sunflower seed shells spat on greens and tee boxes. Stop spitting those shells on the greens. Use a cup or bag— Please! Also, discarded items like beverage cans, snack wrappers, cigar and cigarette butts that not only deface the beauty of the course but can be hazardous to wildlife. Look for the trash cans the course provides, carry a small trash bag in your cart, and dispose of your waste properly either during or after your round. It’ s not that hard to do!
Don’ t be reckless fools. Respect the golf course, other golfers, and watch out for those crazy wild squirrels!
Last, but certainly not least, don’ t slow down the pace of play. Watch the group behind you. If they are constantly waiting on your group, let them play through. Allowing faster groups to play through not only improves the flow of the game but also enhances everyone’ s experience. Failing to do so can cause delays and frustration for the golfers following you, and a negative atmosphere on the course. If the course staff asks you to pick up the pace or let a group play through, don’ t disrespect them or ignore their request. Such behavior creates unnecessary tension for everyone. Treat staff with kindness and respect, it’ s the best way to create an enjoyable day on the course.
Adhering to good golf etiquette does more than uphold the game’ s traditions— it enhances everyone’ s enjoyment and ensures a safe and respectful environment. Whether operating the golf cart responsibly, repairing divots and ball marks, or adhering to the pace of play, courtesy toward others and respect for the course can significantly enhance the enjoyment of one’ s day on the course and promote camaraderie among all golfers.
Ooops!?
That’ s gonna cost me!
Racing downhill in a golf cart is a bad idea! Grass is like ice for tread-less golf cart tires.
TeeTimesMagazine. com TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE April 2026 21