Golf Etiquette for Dummies

1. Arriving less than 15 minutes before your scheduled tee time

I know this irritates the starter and people in the shop because I spent years working at golf courses. It can cause the remainder of the tee sheet to be delayed. The 15 minutes is actually quite generous; most golf courses prefer that players arrive on the course 30 minutes before the first ball is released into the air.

2. Putting on the practice green with too many balls

Feel free to lose your mind if you're by yourself. No more than two practice balls should be used in a crowded environment, otherwise you are hogging space.

3. Cart-path only day?

Bring more than one club to your shot. Fast play is always a good thing with the wife and kids waiting at home. Do this to make sure you have a good round on the course and an even better night at home.

4. Searching for a missing ball for more than three minutes

We understand: Golf balls are expensive, so it's great that you're willing to take a chance on getting poison ivy to find a lost ball. But there's a difference between trying your best and obsessing over that Pro V1. After three minutes, accept that the ball has vanished and take another five dollar ball out of your bag.

5. Placing Clubs and Flag Stick on the Green

Everyone is looking for carpet greens, but when clubs and flag sticks continually tear up the grass, it increases the difficulty of having a good round. Not sure where to put your wedge, we've got you covered. The Hip Caddie™ will solve this etiquette issue and make your round much more enjoyable.

6. Standing behind someone as they putt

Getting a read on the putt line is something we all want, but messing with someone's mojo as they putt may not get you invited back.

7. Walking in a player's "through line"

The fact that a putter's line extends two to three feet past the hole surprises many novices. This is crucial because the through line is where the ball will land if a putt misses long as it provides the path for a golfer to complete the hole. Keep an eye on Phil Mickelson the next time you watch a tour tournament. He would frequently practice a putt on the cup's through line side.

8. Your driving range session doesn't have a divot pattern

There are many schools of thought on the proper technique—some believe your divots should be in a row, while others think they should be in vertical lines—but there is without a doubt a bad approach, as scattering your shots eats up more turf than you need.

9. Pick up if you're behind on a match play hole.

We all have bad holes. Luckily, strokes don't transfer over to the following hole. If it is clear that you have already lost the hole, pocket the ball and live to fight another hole.

10. Excessive phone checking

Checking your score or sending a text message in between holes is one thing but being glued to your phone at all times makes it difficult to be with friends. Golf is used as an escape to enjoy a few hours with your friends, make sure you don't ruin the spirit with Candy Crush.

11. Gimmes

This can go in two directions: not being generous enough (forcing someone to finish tap-ins on every hole) or being excessive (it's great that you want to give a partner an eight-footer downhill, but more times than not, the average golfer will struggle with that putt.

Final Tip: If you are unsure about certain rules on golf etiquette, just ask the people in your round. We are all students of the game. As we like hearing tips and tricks for our stroke, golf etiquette works just the same.