Golf Etiquette

Prior to playing a stroke or making a practice swing, the player should ensure that no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, twigs or the like which may be removed by the stroke or swing.

In taking practice swings, players avoid cutting damage to the course, particularly the tees, by removing divots.

In the interest of all, players should play without delay. No players should play until the players in front are out of range. Players searching for a ball should signal the players behind them to pass as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found; they should not search for five minutes before doing so. They should not continue to play until the players following them have passed and are out of range.
When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.

No one should move, talk or stand close to or directly behind the ball or the hole when a player is addressing the ball or making a stroke. The player who has the honour should be allowed to play before his opponent or fellow-competitor tees his ball.

Players must be suitably attired and wear appropriate footwear. Denims and sleeveless tee shirts are not acceptable on the course or within the Clubhouse. Each player must be in possession of a golf bag and clubs.

On competition days, competitors and non-competitors have equal priority on the course providing they play from the correct teeing area and have been allocated a time on the starting sheet.
In the absence of special rules, except on competition days, two-ball matches should have precedence of and be entitled to pass any three or four-ball match.
A single player has no standing and should give way to a match of any kind.
If a match fails to keep place on the course and lose more than one clear hole on the players in front, it should allow the match following to pass.
THE CAPTAIN MUST ALWAYS BE GIVEN PRIORITY ON THE COURSE.

Holes in Bunkers
Before leaving a bunker, a player should carefully-fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints made by the player.

Restore divots, Ball-marks and Damage by spikes.
Through the green, a player must ensure that any turf cut or displaced by him is replaced at once and pressed down and that any damage to the putting green made by the ball is carefully repaired. Damage to the putting green caused by shoe spikes should be repaired on completion of the hole.

Damage to Greens - Flagsticks, Bags etc.
Players should ensure that when leaving down bags, or the flagstick, no damage is done to the putting green and that neither they nor their caddies damage the hole by standing close to it, in handling the flagstick or removing the ball from the hole. The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before the players leave the putting green.
Practice putting on any green is forbidden.
Practice pitching on any green is forbidden.

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