The Spirit Of The Game:

Unlike many sports, golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.

Safety:

Players should ensure that no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs or the like when they make a stroke or practice swing. Players should not play until the players in front are out of range. Players should always alert greenstaff nearby or ahead when they are about to make a stroke that might endanger them.

If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, he should immediately shout a warning. The traditional word of warning in such a situation is “fore.” Consideration For Other Players

No Disturbance or Distraction:

Players should always show consideration for other players on the course and should not disturb their play by moving, talking or making any unnecessary noise.

Players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course does not distract other players.

On the teeing ground, a player should not tee his ball until it is his turn to play.

Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball, or directly behind the hole, when a player is about to play.

On the Putting Green

On the putting green, players should not stand on another player’s line of putt or when he is making a stroke, cast a shadow over his line of putt.

Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all other players in the group have holed out.

Scoring

In stroke play, a player who is acting as a marker should, if necessary, on the way to the next tee, check the score with the player concerned and record it.

Play at Good Pace and Keep Up

Players should play at a good pace. The Committee may establish pace of play guidelines that all players should follow. It is a group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group.

Be Ready to Play

Players should be ready to play as soon as it is their turn to play. When playing on or near the putting green, they should leave their bags or carts in such a position as will enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee. When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.

Lost Ball

If a player believes his ball may be lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, to save time, he should play a provisional ball.

Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found.

They should not search for five minutes before doing so. Having allowed the group behind to play through, they should not continue play until that group has passed and is out of range.

Priority On The Course

Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the course is determined by a group’s pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round.

Bunkers

Before leaving a bunker, players should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints made by them and any nearby made by others. If a rake is within reasonable proximity of the bunker, the rake should be used for this purpose.

Repair of Divots, Ball-Marks and Damage by Shoes

Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the course is determined by a group’s pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round.

Preventing Unnecessary Damage

Players should avoid causing damage to the course by removing divots when taking practice swings or by hitting the head of a club into the ground, whether in anger or for any other reason.

Players should ensure that no damage is done to the putting green when putting down bags or the flagstick.

In order to avoid damaging the hole, players and caddies should not stand too close to the hole and should take care during the handling of the flagstick and the removal of a ball from the hole. The head of a club should not be used to remove a ball from the hole.

Players should not lean on their clubs when on the putting green, particularly when removing the ball from the hole.

The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before players leave the putting green.

Local notices regulating the movement of golf carts should be strictly observed.

Penalties For Breach

If players follow the guidelines in this Section, it will make the game more enjoyable for everyone.

If a player consistently disregards these guidelines during a round or over a period of time to the detriment of others, it is recommended that the Committee consider taking appropriate disciplinary action against the offending player. Such action may, for example, include prohibiting play for a limited time on the course or in a certain number of competitions.

This is considered to be justifiable in terms of protecting the interest of the majority of golfers who wish to play in accordance with these guideline

In the case of a serious breach of Etiquette, the Committee may disqualify a player under Rule 33-7

The R&A, as Governing Authority for the Rules of Golf worldwide with the exception of the United States and Mexico (which are governed by the USGA), takes the educational aspect of its role very seriously.As part of this role, The R&A produces an extensive range of Rules publications many of which are available free of charge, others that can be purchased from our Shop.

Golf is a self-regulating game and it is the responsibility of all golfers to know the Rules, or at least the basics. The Rules are not just there to penalise you when you do something wrong, they provide the framework for the game itself, and a sound knowledge of them may even save you a few strokes.

The basics, such as taking relief from a cart path and what to do when your ball is in a water hazard, out of bounds or lost, are not as hard as you may think. They are covered in A Quick Guide to the Rules of Golf and knowledge of them is enough to see most players around the golf course most of the time.

For those that want to know more than the basics, and for those that need to know more, e.g. referees, golf club officials and Committee members, there is no substitute for a thorough knowledge of the Rule book itself and Decisions on the Rules of Golf. The Rules and Decisions are at the core of The R&A’s Rules Explorer.

The R&A has a formal three-tier Rules educational programme that aims to graduate delegates through each stage. For more information see the Rules Schools section.

Many regional and national golf associations also conduct Rules and refereeing courses – for more information on those you should contact your regional/national associations.

A knowledge of the Rules is only part of it though; it is important to put that knowledge into practice on the course when playing golf or acting as a referee. So, take the chance to expand your knowledge and to get involved at your golf club, regional or national association.

If you are interested in receiving further insight into the Rules and improving your knowledge of the Rules, subscribe to The R&A’s Rules Newsletter. This periodic Newsletter covers everything Rules related – incidents from the Tours, Rules education, tournament blogs, equipment and amateur status news, and much more. Click “Register” at the top of the page to subscribe.

Disabled Golfers:

ETIQUETTE Golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players, care for the course and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be.

Etiquette is an integral and inextricable part of the game, which has come to define golf’s values worldwide. Put simply, it is a series of guidelines that exist to show other players, whether through divot repair or awareness of your shadow, a degree of fairness which you would expect to receive in return.

In terms of golf’s environment, etiquette is about showing respect for the course on which you are playing and the work that has been put in to create it. It’s about making sure that the game is played safely and that others on the course are able to enjoy the round as much as you.

In short: it’s about showing consideration to all others on the course at all times. Explore the etiquette section and let two-time Open Champion Padraig Harrington take you through one of golf’s most important characteristics.