Golf Etiquette: Ringer Off! And Quiet During A Golf Swing.

Mobile Phone with Ringer Off: Very Important Golf Etiquette!

“Golf etiquette 101” can be tricky to learn, but please do learn the basics.

Most critical of all, and in a nutshell, Golf Etiquette = Ringer Off! And Quiet During A Golf Swing.

Etiquette is essentially good manners or “the golden rule,” meaning “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” And NOBODY wants to wind up for a tricky swing, only to be surprised by a loud laugh, a sneeze, cough, phone ringer, or even a flurry of activity in ones peripheral vision.

While your fellow golfer is readying for a swing, do your best to be still if you are visible to them and quiet above all.

COVID-19 Golf Etiquette Update:

Never Touch A Fellow Golfer’s Ball or Any of Their Things:
It is not so unusual in normal golfing to offer to mark someone’s ball or to accidentally touch their cart or bag. In these pandemic times, touching other people’s belongings can be construed as an attempt on their lives. Just keep your hands to yourself and
. No More Traditional Post-Game Handshake:
It has always been customary to shake hands with your fellow golfers after a round, but those days are over, at least temporarily. For a while, there was a post game fist-bump, then a toe-bump, now simple “Thank you for the game” will suffice or better still, The Golf Guys suggest a tip of the hat, as long as you are wearing one!

The game of golf not only has its own set of rules, but its particular golf etiquette is even more important, so LEARN IT!

Remember Two Things About Golf Etiquette:

If you have a mobile phone, turn the ringer off!
NEVER talk or distract a person who is about to swing or hit!

Some clubs and courses are more casual than others, as golf loses some of the traditional perception of being a “posh” or “upper class” sport, but even if your course or club is lenient about dress code and course regulations, isn’t it just more satisfying to dress for it and really “get into golf-mode”?

Natty Golf Shoes – Attire is Part of Etiquette

A lot of players on the course will be happier if you take heed of tradition and protocol, so why not go out with proper attire, natty golf shoes, marker at the ready, paying attention to those around you, fully-prepared, with the attitude of a SERIOUS GOLFER (even if you’re a hacker!).

Golf is a sport you can play alone or with others, but in reality, once you get going on the course as a golfer, chances are, you are going to be playing with people you have never met. Some people are more socially adept than others and most golfers are polite and friendly, but just try talking through their shot or making the party behind you wait because you don’t have your act together… you will try the patience of the most laid-back golfer.

Most courses have rules about golf attire and some enforce it more than others. Some people think it is “uptight” to enforce proper attire regulations at a course, while others lament the laxness of this kind of standards. If you want to fit-in and get along with everyone at the course, don’t be “that person” who shows up with inappropriate attire. Before you leave home, make sure you have everything you need.

Before You Leave:

Be Organized – Have Everything You Need For Your Golf Game – in your golf bag / golf cart!

The best way to be sure you remember everything you need every time you go golfing is to keep your golf bag stocked and organized.

Some golfers get quite irritated when the others in their party slow down the pace of the game because they can’t find anything in their golf bag.

Be sure that you develop a system and keep your items in a specific pocket of your bag. It can be a complete nightmare trying to find a golf ball marker or a fresh tee when your bag is a complete mess.

It can be a source of enhanced golfing enjoyment to have a nicely organized bag, where all of your balls, tees, and markers are EXACTLY where they always are. Boom, done, found it! :-)

We will probably do another article or even a YouTube on golf bag organization tips, but for now, here is a non-comprehensive list of things to check your bag for BEFORE you leave home (click here for a full golf bag checklist – and we have even included a printable PDF version for you):

Clubs
Tees
Balls
Markers
Gloves
Hat (not 100% necessary for some, but it’s a nice-to-have)
Sunscreen
Hair-tie (if your hat doesn’t do the trick)
Umbrella (here in British Columbia, any day can rain)
Extra clothing layers (again, we are in Canada)
Towel
Rangefinder or GPS (a very nice-to-have item)
Your mobile phone with ringer OFF and GOLFPAD app ON it!!!
Pen or pencil, possibly a Sharpie, if you like to write on your ball
Snacks
Drinks
Cigars & Lighter (if you enjoy them)
Cash & Cards
According to Lincoln City Golf, you should also have a first aid kit!

Golf Attire (Part of Golf Etiquette):

Golf attire, or golf apparel, is a part of the sport that can get expensive, but will make you look sharp on the course, no matter your skill set! Just watch a PGA Tournament on TV to get an idea of how the best golfers in the world dress, and try to “channel” your inner PGA champ! Yes, we do realize it’s a bit of a “racket”, and sometimes it seems that if an item of clothing is deemed “golf apparel” it’s price tag doubles. Shopping around helps, and we plan to add some more links to best values on golf apparel here on Golfophile.com!

Well-Dressed Golfer Hitting Out of Sand – Proper Golf Attire For Men

Golf Shoes – Flip-flops are generally not an option, though sneakers can be acceptable. But seriously… just get yourself some golf shoes!
Golf Shirts – Collared shirts are almost universally required on the course. You may find some courses turn a blind eye toward a nice T-shirt, but a tank top, if permitted by staff, will almost surely be looked askance at by fellow golfers.
Golf Pants / Shorts / Skirts / Skorts – Again, some courses are lenient and allow leggings or shorter-than-usual shorts, but jeans are almost always forbidden.

Golf Etiquette On The Course:

On the course, Below are, in order of importance, critical golf etiquette rules:

General Etiquette:

Mobile phones: Ringer off!
Be quiet when someone is about to take a shot
Keep up with the pace
Go with the flow (but do not run)
Don’t disturb with your smoke (if you smoke)
Don’t drink too much

Tee Box Etiquette:

Make 100% sure that your phone ringer is off!
Be quiet when someone is lining up a drive
Not much else for etiquette! There are plenty of rules, but the most important element of etiquette at the tee box is making sure you’re quiet when your fellow golfers are teeing-off!

Fairway Etiquette:

Ringer off!
Again, quiet when someone is about to hit
Keep up with the other players
Do not hold up the players behind you
Offer advice only if you feel sure it’s welcome ;-)

Putting Etiquette:

There are many small rules and matters of etiquette you will pick up once you get out golfing on a regular basis, but the ones below are paramount. Click here for an excellent YouTube video with many good points in a fun, accessible format.