Let’s be honest: the scariest part of learning to play golf isn’t the swing itself. It is the fear of embarrassing yourself in front of other golfers.

Golf has a reputation for being an incredibly traditional sport with a massive list of “unspoken rules.” If no one has ever taught you these rules, stepping onto a course for the first time can feel like walking through a minefield. Where do you park the cart? Who hits first? What are you supposed to do when someone else is swinging?

Take a deep breath. Every single golfer was a beginner once, and no one expects you to play like Tiger Woods on your first day. To eliminate that anxiety, here are the exact answers to the most common beginner etiquette questions.

Q: What time should I arrive before my tee time?

A: Plan to arrive at the parking lot at least 20 to 30 minutes early.

Tee times run on a very strict schedule. If your tee time is 9:00 AM, that means you should be standing on the first tee box, club in hand, ready to hit the ball at exactly 9:00 AM. You need time to park, pay inside the clubhouse, get the keys to your golf cart, and drive out to the first hole so you don’t feel rushed.

Q: Am I allowed to talk while other golfers are swinging?

A: No. The absolute golden rule of golf etiquette is to be completely quiet and still when someone in your group (or a nearby group) is about to swing.

Golf requires immense concentration. Wait until they have hit the ball to finish your story, grab a rattling club from your bag, or drive your golf cart.

Q: What happens if I play too slow and hold people up?

A: The most common complaint from experienced golfers is “slow play.” As a beginner, you will take more swings than the advanced players, and that is completely okay! No one cares how bad you are; they only care how slow you are.

To keep the game moving, you should play “Ready Golf”. Traditional rules say the person furthest from the hole hits first. In Ready Golf, whoever is ready to hit, hits. If you are ready, safely step up to your ball and swing!

Q: Where am I allowed to park the golf cart near the green?

A: You should never drive a golf cart within 30 yards of the green.

Golf carts are heavy and can damage the most delicate, expensive grass on the course (the putting green). Look for signs that say “Carts Scatter” or follow the paved cart path to the side or back of the green, park the cart there, and walk the rest of the way with your putter.

Q: Do I have to fix the grass after I hit it?

A: Yes, you are expected to repair your damage.

You are going to take chunks of grass out of the ground when you swing. That chunk of grass is called a divot. If the chunk of grass stays intact, walk over, pick it up, and place it back into the hole, stepping on it to flatten it. If the grass exploded, use the bottle of sand attached to your golf cart to fill the hole.

When you hit the ball onto the putting green, the ball often leaves a small crater called a pitch mark. Use a golf tee to gently pry the edges of the crater back toward the center to flatten it out.

Q: What do I do if I hit my ball toward another group?

A: If there is any chance your ball might hit someone, you must immediately scream “FORE!” as loudly as you can.

You are going to hit bad shots, and sometimes those shots will fly wildly toward another group. “Fore” is the universal warning signal in golf that tells people to duck and cover their heads. Do not be embarrassed to yell it!

Q: Can I walk between someone’s ball and the hole?

A: No. Do not step on their imaginary line.

When you make it to the putting green, look at where the other players’ balls are, and imagine a straight line from their ball to the hole. Your shoes can leave slight indentations on the delicate grass that will knock their putt off course. Always walk around their ball and their line.

Summary

That’s it! If you show up on time, stay quiet during other people’s swings, keep a good pace of play, and respect the grass, you will be the perfect golf partner. Relax, have fun, and enjoy your first round!