Golf etiquette is an extremely important part of the game of golf. The etiquette golfer’s show to one another out on the course is one of the things that distinguishes golf from all other sports. But what is etiquette?

Etiquette has to do with manners. Whether you are talking about etiquette at the dinner table, in school, in your family or out at the movies with your friends, etiquette is important. It is through the courtesy we show to other people that we communicate our respect for them and that we show them how important we think they are.

Golf is a game that requires a lot of concentration. If you are trying to make a putt, or hit your tee shot into a narrow fairway, it will be much more difficult if someone is laughing, rattling their clubs, or running around the tee or green.

There are a few rules of etiquette that apply in all situations on the golf course and the practice area and there are other rules of etiquette that are particular to certain circumstances, especially on the green.

Here, I will review the general applications of golf etiquette.
Geoff Cadwallader - Club Captain

Quiet Safety Pace of Play Care of the Course Hitting into the Group Ahead of You Bunker Rakes Fairways

Quiet

Quiet is required on the golf course. Golf requires lots of concentration, and even if the people in your immediate group don't seem to be bothered, there are other groups all around you. So keep you voice down.

Walk, don't run. Running around is annoying, distracting and causes damage to the course. Walk quickly, but lightly.

Safety

The first and foremost rule of golf and golf etiquette is safety. Without some good common sense and a notion of how hard golf balls and clubs are, a golf course can be a very dangerous place. So here are some safety rules to always follow on the golf course:
Don't take practice swings toward another person (rocks and sticks and grass can fly up and hit them in the eye. Besides, it's rude!)
Don't swing your clubs when someone is walking around -- and don't walk around when someone is swinging golf clubs.

Pace of Play

As much as people enjoy playing golf, they don't want their round to take all day. If golfers have to wait too long in between shots they get impatient and they lose their momentum. So here are some things you can do to maintain a good pace of play:

Take only one practice swing for each shot, and then hit the ball. (Remember: if you take 120 shots in a game and you take an extra 30 seconds for each one you will add an hour to the length of your golf game.)

Plan your shot before it's your turn (don't wait until your turn to start thinking about what club you will hit, -- be ready in advance).

As you approach the green determine in which direction the next tee is located and leave your clubs (or park your cart) on that side of the green.

When playing from a motorized cart, if one player is on one side of the fairway and the other player on the opposite side, drop one player off at his or her ball with a choice of a few clubs, then drive to the next player's ball and meet farther down the fairway, after both have hit their shots.

Keep up with the group ahead of you. As they leave the green you should be ready to hit up to the green. Don't worry about how far ahead you are of the group behind you; focus on staying a reasonable distance from the group ahead.

Care of the Course

Bunkers should be raked; divot holes and plug marks should be repaired. Consideration of other golfer’s rights to enjoy the course is everyone’s responsibility.

If everyone follows the guidelines on etiquette it will make the game of golf more enjoyable for all. If a player consistently disregards the guidelines during a round or over a period of time to the detriment of others, the committee may consider taking appropriate disciplinary action against the offending player.

This action and any penalty imposed is considered justifiable in terms of protecting the interests of the majority of golfers who wish to play in accordance with these guidelines.

In case of serious breach of etiquette, the Committee may disqualify a player under Rule 33-7.

Hitting Into the Group Ahead of You

Minding your "Pace of Play" will help you stay with the group ahead and you will be sure not to delay any groups playing behind you. At the same time you are being careful to stay with the group ahead, you must also be careful not to be so close that you hit your ball into that group. If your ball was to hit one of the players in that group it could be very tragic, so be careful that all golfers are out of range before you hit.

Sometimes there are golfers who get very impatient if a group is playing slowly ahead of them; that is understandable. However, it is never acceptable to try to speed up that group by hitting a ball at them to send them a message that you are getting tired of waiting. If you are tired of waiting, walk ahead to their group and ask them to speed up play, but never hit into them.

Play “Ready Golf” Whenever It's Appropriate

If you are not playing golf in an actual tournament, or other sanctioned event, it is okay to play "ready golf." Ready golf means the golfer who is ready to hit can do so even though he or she may not be farthest away from the hole. Just agree ahead with the others in your group that you will play ready golf when it makes sense. That way they won't think you are just unaware of the rules. It is good courtesy to acknowledge that you are playing ready golf to move things along.

Ready golf can really help to speed things along, but before you hit be sure that everyone in your group knows that you are going to hit and that you are aware of where everyone in your group is. You certainly do not want to hit someone who is not paying attention, nor do you want several people hitting at one time.