Rules and Etiquette

What to do and not to do at a golf course.

Most beginners are a little nervous in the first rounds they play on a golf course.

But it is no need to. Learn what to do and what not to do when playing golf, and start relaxing and enjoying your golfing fast.

What you will learn

This course is designed to guide new golfers through the essential elements of golf, from understanding how the game works and what to wear, to playing safely and treating fellow players with respect. You’ll explore how to navigate the course, keep score, avoid penalties, and play at the right pace. Most importantly, you’ll discover the values that make golf unique—honesty, sportsmanship, and self-discipline.

The Purpose of the Golf Swing

Parts of the course: tee box, fairway, rough, green, bunkers, hazards
Common terms: par, birdie, bogey, handicap, stroke

Basic rules of play

How to start a hole (teeing off)
Order of play
Stroke counting and how to keep score

Understanding Penalties & Drops

What causes penalty strokes
How and when to take a drop
Out of bounds vs. lost ball rules

Golf Club Etiquette

Knowing when and where to stand
Letting faster groups play through
Being quiet and respectful during others’ shots

Pace of play

How to play efficiently
Ready golf vs. honors golf
Tips to avoid slowing others down

On the Green

How to mark and clean your ball
Reading the green without disturbing others
Taking turns and avoiding footprints near the hole
What to bring from your bag
Where to place your trolley and clubs

Safety on the Course

Awareness of others before swinging
Yelling “Fore!”
Safe cart usage and movement

Golf Attire & Equipment Care

Proper golf attire for different types of courses
Cleaning clubs and balls
Respecting course property and raking bunkers

Respect for the game

Honesty in scoring
Respecting fellow players and the course
Understanding golf as a self-policing game of integrity