If you want other golfers to enjoy playing a round of golf with you, you must observe certain etiquette guidelines. This is particularly true for beginning golfers. We encourage our beginning students to play "Ready Golf," which means you should be ready to play as soon as it is your turn. If you are a beginner, don't hesitate to pick up your ball and walk to the next tee if you feel you have taken enough strokes on a given hole. Some general guidelines all golfers should follow are listed below.

1. To prevent distraction, do not talk, move, or stand close to the player when a stroke is being made.

2. Always play without delay. If players behind are continually waiting for you, stand to the side of the fairway and signal them to pass. Do not continue play until they are out of your range.

3. Do not attempt a stroke as long as the players in front are within range. If an error is made, a warning shout of "fore" is given when a ball is hit in the direction of or close to other players.

4. The player who is "away" continues to hit until his ball rests nearer the flag stick than another player's.

5. Each player is responsible for replacing and pressing down any turf (divot) displaced by him. Repair any damage made to the green. Rake all holes and footprints made in a bunker.

6. Every precaution should be taken to prevent damage to the green. Do not drop the flag stick, stand close to the cup, drop or lay bags on the green, pull carts across the green, drag shoe spikes across the green, nor improperly replace the flag stick.

7. Do not delay on the green. Scores should be tallied after leaving the putting green.

8. Exercise caution against walking in the line of another player's putt or casting a shadow across the hole or across the line of putt when another player is addressing his ball.

9. The most general rule in golf is: BE COURTEOUS!