We have already covered the strict unspoken rules for playing on a golf course, but what happens when you are invited to watch the professionals play?

Attending a PGA Tour event (or any professional golf tournament) is unlike attending any other sporting event in the world. You cannot cheer like you are at a basketball game, and you cannot pull out your phone to take a video whenever you want. In golf, the spectators (often called “patrons”) are incredibly close to the action, which means your behavior can actually impact a millionaire’s swing.

If you have never been to a golf event before, do not panic. Here is the ultimate spectator etiquette guide so you blend right in with the seasoned veterans.

1. Where to Watch: The “Roamer” vs. The “Camper”

When you walk onto the massive grounds of a professional golf course, you essentially have two choices on how to spend your day.

• The Tee Box (For Action): If you want to see pure athletic power, hang around a Tee Box. This is where the players start the hole by hitting their massive drivers. You will hear the loudest cracks and see the fastest swings.
• The Green (For Relaxing): If you prefer to relax, find a spot near a putting green (where the hole and the flag are located). This is where many experienced fans will “camp out” for hours. You can often bring a small collapsible chair, sit down, and comfortably watch dozens of different groups come through to finish their hole.

2. The Golden Rule: Silence is Mandatory

This is the most critical rule in golf spectating. In other sports, athletes are used to screaming fans. In golf, absolute silence is required during the swing.

• When You Can Talk: You are completely free to chat, mingle, and socialize while the players are walking down the fairway from their previous shot to their golf ball.
• When to Freeze: As soon as a player stops walking and stands behind their golf ball to plan their shot (getting into the “ready position”), all talking must stop immediately. It is considered incredibly rude to speak, whisper, or even walk while a player is over the ball. Once they strike the ball, you can resume chatting!

3. Look for the “Quiet” Signs

Because golf courses are massive, you might be standing behind a crowd of people or behind a tree and have no idea if a player is about to swing.

Always keep an eye out for tournament volunteers standing near the ropes. Before a player hits, these volunteers will dramatically raise their hands in the air holding wooden paddles that read “QUIET” or “PLAYER HITTING.” If you see those paddles go up, stop exactly where you are, stop talking, and wait for the shot to be hit.

4. The Cell Phone Taboo

At a football game, everyone has their phones out. At a professional golf tournament, a ringing cell phone is a cardinal sin.

If you bring your phone, it must be on silent or vibrate at all times. If a player is mid-swing and your phone rings, the entire crowd will glare at you.

Furthermore, many elite tournaments have strict rules against taking photos or videos during the actual competition days. If you absolutely need to make a phone call, you cannot do it near the ropes. You must walk away to a designated “Cell Phone Zone” or find an empty area far away from the players.

By understanding when to be quiet and where to stand, your first professional golf tournament will be an incredible, stress-free experience. (And if you overhear the crowd yelling weird phrases, brush up on our Golf Slang Dictionary before you go!)