Every golfer knows the rulebook—but what about the real rules? In this episode of Divot Disputes, we break down the Top 15 Unwritten Rules of Golf that every player should follow. From repairing divots and staying quiet on the tee box to taking off your hat when shaking hands after a round, these are the traditions and courtesies that separate good golfers from great ones.
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a scratch player, understanding golf etiquette keeps the game enjoyable and respectful for everyone on the course.
⛳ What You’ll Learn:
The unspoken codes that define golf culture
Why etiquette matters more than score sometimes
How to avoid being that guy in your foursome
🎥 Watch till the end to see which rule most golfers forget!
👇 Drop a comment with your biggest golf pet peeve or favorite etiquette rule.
📌 Subscribe to Divot Disputes for more golf debates, breakdowns, and course culture deep dives.
What’s up everyone? Welcome back to Divot Disputes. Today, we’re not talking about swing mechanics, course reviews, or who’s got the best chance on tour this season. Instead, we’re diving into something way more fundamental, golf etiquette. Now, I’m not talking about the official rules you’ll find in the USGA handbook. I’m talking about the unwritten rules, the little things that separate the seasoned players from the first timers. The things that keep a round of golf enjoyable, respectful, and moving at a good pace. Whether you’re new to the game or a longtime player who needs a refresher, this list of the top 15 unwritten etiquette rules is going to help you avoid awkward moments, make you a better playing partner, and honestly just make the game more fun. So, let’s get into it. Rule number one, don’t talk during the swing. This might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how often it gets broken. Golf is a game of focus. And when someone is standing over their shot, that’s their moment. A little noise, a whisper, or even jingling change in your pocket can be enough to throw them off. The unwritten rule is simple. Once a player starts their pre-shot routine, zip it. No commentary, no jokes, no casual chitchat. Save the conversation until after they’ve struck the ball. And yes, this applies even if they’re taking forever over the ball. You don’t have to love their pace, but respect their shot. Rule number two, don’t walk in someone’s line. On the putting green, this is a big one. Your line is the imaginary path between the golf ball and the hole. Walking across it can leave subtle footprints or marks on the green, which might change the way the ball rolls. Even if you think you’re light on your feet, it’s just bad etiquette. Always walk around behind the player’s ball or a little wide of their line. It shows awareness and it shows respect for the effort they’re putting into making their putt. Jumping over a line is not proper etiquette, even if you don’t physically step on it. Rule number three, repair the course. Golf courses are living, breathing things, and they take a beating from players every single day. If you don’t do your part, conditions go downhill fast. That means a couple of things. Fix your ball marks on the green. If your shot lands and leaves a dent, grab your repair tool and smooth it out. Fill or replace divots on the fairway. Some courses give you sand bottles, others expect you to put the chunk of grass back. Either way, don’t just walk away. Rake bunkers after you hit. Nobody wants to deal with your footprints or the crater from your failed escape attempt. Good etiquette here keeps the course playable for everyone. Think of it as paying it forward to the golfers coming behind you. Rule number four, keep up the pace. If there’s one thing that makes golfers lose their minds, it’s slow play. Golf is supposed to be fun and social, not a 5hour slog because one group can’t keep up. The unwritten rule, be ready to hit when it’s your turn. That doesn’t mean rushing your shot. It means using the downtime smartly. Figure out your yardage, pick your club, visualize your shot, and then step up and swing when it’s go time. If you’re searching for a lost ball, remember the 3inut rule, not the 10-minute expedition in the woods. And if your group is truly holding up the course, let the faster group behind you play through. It’s not an insult, it’s just respect. Rule number five, know when to celebrate and when not to. Golf is emotional. You drain a 40ft putt, you want to let out a roar. That’s part of the fun, but you’ve got to read the room. If your partner just three putted for double bogey, maybe don’t scream in their face about your birdie. The unwritten etiquette is celebrate with class. Share the joy, but don’t rub it in. High fives, fist bumps, maybe a little tiger style fist pump are all great, but keep it in check, especially in competitive settings. And the flip side, don’t throw clubs, curse loudly, or act like the world’s ending after a bad shot. We’ve all been there. But golf is a gentleman’s and gentle woman’s game. Handle the highs and lows with respect. Rule number six, be aware of where you stand. Positioning is everything in golf. And I’m not talking about your swing stance. I mean where you physically stand when other people are hitting. On the T- box, don’t stand directly behind someone or in their peripheral vision. Stay a little off to the side, out of the line of sight. On the fairway, make sure you’re not ahead of the golfer who’s hitting. And on the green, don’t hover over someone’s shoulder while they’re reading a putt. Good etiquette here is about safety and focus. Nobody wants to worry about beaming their buddy with a seven iron because he’s standing in the danger zone. Rule number seven, cart etiquette. Not every course requires carts, but when you’re riding, there are some unwritten rules. First off, don’t drive right up to the edge of the greens or into hazards. Keep the cart on the path when you’re supposed to. Those signs are there for a reason. Second, if your partner hits a shot on one side of the hole and yours is on the other, don’t make them walk a mile because you parked in the wrong spot. Drop them off by their ball, then go to yours. It saves time, keeps the pace moving, and shows you’re paying attention. Rule number eight, handle the flag stick properly. This one comes up on every green. If you’re the closest to the hole, it’s your job to manage the flag. That means asking if people want attended, holding it straight and removing it once everyone’s on the green. Don’t just toss the flag stick down carelessly. Lay it gently away from the putting surface. The last thing anyone wants is to see a flag damaging the green where their ball might roll. It’s a small detail, but it goes a long way in showing you know how to play the game the right way. Rule number nine, watch your shadow. This one’s subtle, but important and often times missed. When someone’s putting, make sure your shadow isn’t creeping across their line or their setup. Same goes for standing behind someone with the sun at your back. Golfers are sensitive to little distractions, and a shadow in the wrong spot can feel like a moving target. Be mindful of where the light is and adjust your position accordingly. Rule number 10, respect the silence of the game. Golf is unique because of how quiet it is. That silence is part of the tradition and it’s something most golfers value. That means no phone calls on the course, no blasting music unless everyone in your group agrees, and no random yelling unless it’s a warning like four. Sure, some groups like a speaker for background tunes, but check with your playing partners before you start DJing on the seventh fairway. What’s fun for you might be super distracting for someone else. Rule number 11, first T introductions. This one’s more social than tactical. When you’re paired up with strangers, always take a second to introduce yourself on the first te. Shake hands, say your name, maybe mention your handicap or how often you play. It sets the tone for the round. Golf is social at its core, and acknowledging your playing partners is part of the etiquette that keeps it friendly. Rule number 12, the unwritten mulligan rule. This one’s a little controversial, but it’s worth mentioning. In casual rounds with buddies, the mulligan, a free redo off the first tea, is often part of the culture. But here’s the catch. It’s only okay if the group agrees. Don’t just reload a ball and call it a mulligan without checking. And if you’re playing in a match tournament or remotely competitive, forget about it. Mulligans don’t exist in real golf. Rule number 13, be ready on the green. When you’re on the green, the pace of play matters even more. Start reading your putt while others are lining up theirs. Be ready when it’s your turn. And if you’re close to the hole, consider finishing out instead of marking, unless someone asks you not to. The unwritten etiquette here is that everyone should contribute to keeping the round flowing smoothly. No one likes a group that takes forever on every green. Rule number 14, respect the game. This is the catchall unwritten rule. Respect the course, respect your partners, respect the traditions. Golf has been around for centuries. And while it’s evolved, the essence of the game is still about honor and integrity. That means calling penalties on yourself when needed, being honest with your score, and carrying yourself with respect for the game. Cheating might not get caught right away, but it always comes back around. Rule number 15, take off your hat when shaking hands. At the end of every round, whether you won, lost, or acted around all day, the polite move is to take off your hat when you shake hands with your playing partners. It’s a small gesture, but it goes a long way. It shows that no matter how the round went, you respect the people you shared the course with. Golf is about more than just numbers on a scorecard. It’s about camaraderie, competition, and class. So when you walk off that 18th green, remember hat off, handshake, and a simple good round. That tradition is as much a part of golf as the T-shot on the first hole. So there you have it, the top 15 unwritten rules of golf etiquette. They’re not in the rule book, but they’re just as important as knowing what happens when your ball goes out of bounds. These rules are about making golf better for everyone, not just you. If you follow them, people are going to enjoy playing with you. The course is going to stay in better shape, and your rounds are going to flow so much smoother. What did I miss? Drop your favorite unwritten rule in the comments. Let’s keep the conversation going. And if you found this helpful, make sure you hit that like button, subscribe to Divot Disputes, and check out my other videos where we break down the game we all love. Until next time, play well, respect the game, and keep those divots clean.
