Written by: Jenna Behnke
Published: December 29th, 2025
So, you’ve officially booked your first tee time and are ready to embark on the never-ending journey of learning how to golf (for the record, you will never not be learning how to golf). If you’ve done your research, bought or borrowed the right equipment, and you’ve booked a tee time with the right group of people, you’re already off to a great start. We highly recommend going with an experienced golfer who can help guide you throughout your first few rounds.
But before you even step foot onto the green, there’s a lot you should know about the dos and don’ts when it comes to golf course etiquette. Because nothing screams “beginner” like talking loudly at the tee box or standing too close to the person who’s about to take a swing. There are plenty of things you’ll learn along the way, but give yourself a headstart by learning a few of these essential etiquette rules before you go.
Golf Course Etiquette: What to Wear on the Golf Course
First things first, you need to know how to dress like a golfer. There’s an enforceable dress code at just about every course, but the good news is, this gives you an excuse to go shopping! Dress codes will vary from course to course to course (some are more strict than others), but you can plan on the following general restrictions:
- No jeans
- No t-shirts or tank tops
- No hats worn backwards
- No sweatpants or gym attire
So what can you wear? We go in depth about the options for both men and women in this article.
But as a general rule, But as a general rule, collared shirts, polos, non-denim pants, shorts or skirts are widely accepted. For shoes, most courses prefer that you wear actual golf shoes (you can shop them here!), but most also allow athletic shoes. Don’t forget to bring a hat or visor and sunglasses to keep the sun out of your eyes.
Many golf courses have the dress code explained on their website, but when in doubt, give them a call—they get these kinds of questions all the time.
Golf Course Etiquette: Keep Up with the Pace of Play
Your group and the other players on the course will appreciate you respecting the “golden rule” of golf: keep up the pace of play. Plan to arrive at the clubhouse 15 to 30 minutes before your scheduled tee time so you can start on time. You’re not going to be great at golf right away and that might mean it takes you a little longer to tee off, to find your ball on the fairway and to line up your putt. That’s okay—you don’t have to rush through every round! However, you should avoid taking excessive practice swings and mulligans (that’s golf speak for “do-overs”). Pay attention and know when it’s your turn to hit. And also know when it’s time to pick up your ball and put it in your pocket. If you’ve hit the ball 10 times and it’s still nowhere near the putting green, it’s time to call it.
On the flip side, don’t hit your ball too prematurely so that it interferes with the group ahead of you.
Be aware of your surroundings, be reasonable about the number of times you hit the ball, and you’ll be a better golfer for it!
Golf Course Etiquette: Know Where to Stand
It doesn’t take a pro to know that you shouldn’t stand directly behind someone who is about to swing a golf club. But you should also avoid standing anywhere in front of the golfer (even if it’s off to the side) or within the golfer’s peripheral vision as it can be distracting. Every golfer has preferences and pet peeves, so just ask the players in your group what they prefer. Some golfers appreciate you helping them watch where the ball went after tee-ing off.
Golf Course Etiquette: Know Where to Drive the Golf Cart
If you’re taking a golf cart out for your round, there are guidelines on where you should and shouldn’t drive—both for safety and course preservation. Rules vary from course to course, but generally the ask is that you avoid driving your cart within 50 yards of the green. Whenever possible, follow the 90-degree rule: stay on the cart path until you’re lined up with the ball and then cut over. Follow cart signs if your course has them.
Golf Course Etiquette: Fill Your Divots
You’re going to chunk the ball at some point during your first few times out on the course. It’s expected, but it’s also expected that you fill your divot before moving on. A divot is a small hole made by your club in the green. To fill it, normally you would simply replace the divot into the hole and then pack it down with your foot or club. However, some courses will ask golfers to fill divot holes with a mixture of grass seed and sand so that the grass grows back quickly.
Golf Course Etiquette: Be Aware of Noise Volume
Few things annoy golfers more than noise interruptions during their golf game. To respect all of the golfers in your group, avoid talking or making any noise while a player tees off. That means your cell phone should be silenced during your round, and speaker music should set to a reasonable volume (be sure to ask your group if they are okay with music playing while they golf).
There is still a lot to learn about learning how to play golf, but understanding how to be a considerate golfer every time you step onto the course is a solid first step. Now that you’ve learned some of the dos and don’ts, take a few minutes to learn the lingo of the course with our Official Golf Glossary.
