A collection of golf etiquette you should know.

Check the dress code in advance.

Nowadays, more and more golf courses allow you to play in casual attire, but there are still some that have strict dress codes. It is standard to wear a collared shirt tucked in during the round, and it is not uncommon for shorts to be prohibited. You also need to be careful about what you wear to and from the course; some require a jacket, and you cannot enter the clubhouse directly wearing golf shoes, and of course denim and sandals are not allowed. If you are going to a golf course for the first time, be sure to check the dress code in advance.

Arrive 1 hour before the start.

If you're used to it, you might be able to make it in time for the start of the round if you arrive 20 to 30 minutes early, but at first, try to arrive at least an hour early. You'll need to register at the front desk, get changed, and check your luggage, and as an adult, you should be there 10 minutes before the start. Above all, practicing before the round is an important time that can affect your score. This is also part of the "play first" rule, so make sure you follow it carefully so you don't keep your companions or the next group waiting.

Aim for a half round time of 2 hours and 15 minutes.

In addition to the etiquette required to practice play first, it is also very important to know how much time it will take to play golf in a day. The time it takes to play half of the 18 holes, or a half round (9 holes), is roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes. Don't forget to be aware of not making the group behind you wait and not getting left behind by the group in front of you. On a golf course, even a delay in the progress of one group can affect the entire course, so you should always keep this in mind.

Keep your routine short.

Whether it's a tee shot or putting, the most important thing in golf is how well you can hit the shot as you normally do in practice. To do this, it is essential to practice swings that improve the reproducibility of your swing and your concentration. However, if you practice for too long, you will make your companions wait, and if you repeat a long routine and are late in finishing the hole, the next group will catch up, so be careful. Be conscious of hitting one stroke within 20 to 30 seconds, or at the latest within 40 seconds.

When you're ready, hit it.

The rule is that the player farthest from the hole takes the lead. Many people probably think so. That was certainly the case until now, but a rule change in 2019 allowed "ready golf." In other words, as long as the players agree, it's okay for the player who is ready to hit to start. If you're late getting ready to hit, call out to each other, saying "you go first," or "I'll hit first," and play promptly after confirming that it's safe.

For the second shot
Two or three clubs.

Sometimes you don't know where your ball will fly on a tee shot until you actually get there. It may be deep in the grass, there may be an obstacle, or it may be further away from the green than you thought. Taking all these different situations into consideration, it's best to head to the ball with two or three clubs in advance. You don't want to end up going back to the cart because you picked the wrong club. Don't forget to bring a spare ball in case you lose your ball or it lands in the pond.

Hitting the ball into the hole is a no-no, absolutely.

One thing you should never do while playing is hit into the group in front of you. In the worst case, it can lead to a serious accident that could be life-threatening. Keep in mind "play first" and maintain a good distance from the group in front of you. The general rule is to hit the ball at a distance of at least 50 yards more than the expected flying distance, but in some cases it is better to be at least 70 yards away when there is a following wind or a downhill slope. If your golf cart is equipped with traffic lights to prevent hitting into the group in front of you, or a navigation system that can track the cart location of the group in front of you, we recommend checking these as well.

Without any shame, I shouted loudly, "Far!"

A common call in golf is "Far." This is a signal to warn of danger when the ball curves sharply, and is one of the most important manners for ensuring safety. At first, you will make many mistakes, so don't be shy and shout loudly. There are several theories about the origin of "far," but the most likely one is that it was to warn the "forecaddie" who will be there before the tee shot lands, or that it is an abbreviation of "beware before," which British soldiers used on the battlefield.

When do you move the cart?
Where should I park?

When one of the players is driving the cart in a self-play game, you need to be careful about when to move and where to stop. First of all, be careful not to move the cart while taking a shot. Don't forget to be mindful of the cart's engine noise. And the most important thing is where to park the cart. It is strictly forbidden to park in front of the person taking the shot, as there is a risk of hitting the ball. The correct answer is to move the cart forward while aligning it with the person with the ball at the back, but it is recommended that beginners do not drive the cart much and leave it to someone who is more experienced in playing rounds.

Please be quiet during the shot!

You may also see signs saying "Quiet! Playing" during live broadcasts of professional golf matches. Golf is more delicate than any other sport, requiring you to concentrate on each shot, so even professional golfers can't concentrate and make mistakes if there is noise. This is even more true for us amateurs. When your companion is addressing the ball (preparing to hit), private conversations are strictly prohibited. Whispering is also a breach of etiquette. Also, make sure to set your cell phone or smartphone to silent mode, as you may hear a ringtone during a shot.

Be careful of your shadow too.

The most important rule of etiquette is to stay out of the player's field of vision while they are taking a shot. You need to be especially careful during the nerve-wracking tee shots and putting, but as long as you stay behind the player you should be fine. It's OK to wait near the cart, but it's also good etiquette to check where the ball is going, so make sure you wait in a position where you can see it clearly. Never stand in the line of sight between the ball and the cup. Another thing that people tend to forget is their own shadow. Be especially careful in the early morning and evening so that the player can make a comfortable shot.

If you find a hole, fill it.

When hitting the ball with an iron shot, you may end up scraping the grass and creating a hole. This can happen to anyone, beginner or advanced, but it is of course bad manners to leave the hole (divot) as it is. If you do scrape the grass, make sure to fill it in with sand from a bag called a "topsoil bag." This will encourage the surrounding grass stems to grow and repair faster, and it also helps protect the golf course, so remember this. What's more, if you find a hole, it is the gentlemanly behavior of a golfer to casually add topsoil. The golf course belongs to everyone, so let's all make an effort to use it cleanly.

Leave no trace behind with a bunker rake.

When you first start playing a round, it's common for your ball to fall into a bunker, so make sure you remember the proper etiquette for bunkers. First, the basic rule is to enter the bunker as close to the ball as possible to leave as few footprints as possible. Secondly, enter from a low (gentle slope) position. If you enter from a high (steep slope) position, the sand on the edge may collapse, so be careful. After your shot, don't forget to erase your footprints for the next golfer. Always use the toothed side of the rake to smooth the entire surface, and then smooth it down with the flat side. When you're done using it, return it to its original position and leave smartly.

The green is a sacred place.

The green is the most delicate part of a golf course. Even the slightest dent can affect your putt, so you must never run on it. In addition, jumping in joy when the ball goes in, or dragging your putter while walking, are of course also not allowed. In any case, any behavior that could damage the grass is strictly prohibited. By the way, remember that crossing someone else's putt line (between the ball and the cup) is also bad manners.

What is the correct way to use a green fork?

A depression on the green. This is called a "pitch mark" and is made when the ball lands on the approach. It is good etiquette to repair it in the same way as when you cut the grass. The correct way to repair it is not to fill it with sand like topsoil, but to use a tool called a greens fork to push the surrounding grass together. Once you learn how to do it, it's easy for anyone, so it's recommended to ask a companion who is experienced in playing rounds to teach you. Regardless of your golf experience, it is good etiquette to bring your own greens fork.

It's OK to putt without removing the pin.

It used to be a rule to remove the pin (flagstick) that marks the cup before putting, but now it's OK to putt without removing the pin. This shortens the time it takes to insert and remove the pin, so it's also part of the "play first" approach. Another benefit is that it makes it easier to get a sense of distance on long putts, and prevents the ball from hitting the pin and going way over. However, it is against the rules to remove the pin after putting, even if you think the ball is about to hit the pin. Please note that you will be penalized.

How far is an "OK" putt?

Even beginners in golf should have heard of the term "OK putt". It allows you to hole out with one stroke more than the distance that you think you will make with your next stroke. This is also a form of play first, as it allows you to save one stroke. However, the distance that you think you will make is different for each person, and it can seem very vague. In such cases, it is okay to consult with your companion and decide on the distance. The general distance for an OK putt is said to be "one grip", which is the length of the grip part of the club (about 30 cm), so it should be useful to remember this.

Once the ball is in the cup, gently use two fingers.

The "cup" is the most delicate part of the green and requires careful handling. It determines whether the ball goes in or not, so you must never damage it. Not only should you not step on the area around the cup, but you should also be gentle and careful when picking up a ball that has gone in. The trick is not to stick your hand in to grip the ball, but to pick it up with just your index and middle fingers, without touching the edge of the cup. And above all, this is the smartest move.

No grass or soil may be brought into the clubhouse.

The standard format is to play a half course (9 holes) in the morning and the remaining half (9 holes) in the afternoon. Sometimes you'll have lunch in between, but don't forget that the clubhouse with the restaurant is a sacred place. It's basic etiquette to clean any grass or dirt off your clothing and spikes before entering. This is where the air shoe cleaner comes in handy, as it uses a powerful blast of air from an air gun to easily remove grass and dirt. Most golf courses have these, so make sure to use them before entering the clubhouse.

Not normal!?
The upper and lower seats in a restaurant.

After a hectic morning, it's time for lunch at a restaurant. I'm shown to a table for four people, and as usual, I sit near the entrance, while my boss or senior sits at the back. In fact, this is incorrect information. Be careful, as in golf course restaurants, the upper and lower seats are sometimes reversed. The correct seat is the side with a view of the garden or golf course, and the lower seat is the opposite. If your boss or senior doesn't know this, it could backfire, so be sure to watch the situation and casually say something clever.

Please keep the toilet clean!

Most clubhouse restrooms have mini towels near the sinks. It's fine to use them after washing your hands, but be sure to wipe the sink clean before putting it in the collection box. The clubhouse is used by many people, not just visitors, so you should make sure everyone can play there comfortably.

Please call the caddy by name.

Self-play is becoming mainstream in golf these days, and if you are invited by your boss or senior to play a round at a prestigious club or participate in a competition, you will probably have the opportunity to ask a caddy for support. When playing a round with a caddy, you will definitely be seen as a gentleman if you call out to them by name. Of course, it is not against etiquette, but they will introduce themselves when you start the round, and they will usually be wearing name tags, so make sure to check their name. Also, when you buy a drink at a rest area (tea shop), it is more gentlemanly to give it to the caddy.