Etiquette of the Game of Golf

• Always arrive at least 20mins before your tee time. This enables you to check in at the Pro Shop and be relaxed and ready on the first tee.
• Always carry a sand bucket and fill and smooth divots, even if they’re not yours.
• It is polite to invite the lowest handicapper to hit off first.
• Before hitting off identify your ball with your playing partners – if you lose it during the game, identify your new ball with your marker.
• No one should move, talk, stand close to or directly behind the ball or the hole when a player is addressing the ball/making a stroke.
• When approaching the green – place buggies to the side of the green closest to the next hole, ready to move off after putting out. (Never leave buggy in front of the green)
• It is the policy of the FGC not to wheel buggies across the tees or greens.
• On the putting green make sure you are not standing on another players line of putt or casting a shadow over it.
• Repair pitch marks on the putting green even if they are not yours.
• When the result of the hole has been determined, players should immediately leave the putting green and should not practice putting.
• If a wayward ball is in danger of hitting someone, immediately shout a warning – traditionally “FORE”
• A player who has incurred a penalty, or has taken a free drop, should tell their marker as soon as possible.
• After playing out of a bunker, the player should carefully rake the area being careful not to pile the sand up towards the edge, then place the rake in the bunker in the direction of the hole.
• Players must ensure that the flagstick is properly in the hole before they leave the green.
• On leaving the 18^th green it is polite to thank your playing partners and shake hands.

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