Golf course etiquette - important rules of conduct

Etiquette on the golf course mainly serves to ensure a smooth and fair game, to provide safety and to treat the course with care. Golf etiquette guidelines are set by The R&A of St Andrews and the USGA in America. Most golf clubs punish breaches of etiquette on the golf course with severe penalties, such as a ban from the course. That is why the "true spirit of golf", in other words "the spirit of the game", should always be observed, respected and acted upon in accordance with golf etiquette. Golf is mostly played without a referee, so fair play and compliance with golf etiquette on the course demand the right behaviour from every golfer. The rule is always: treat the sport, yourself and your fellow players in a sporting, courteous, disciplined and considerate way. Under no circumstances may anyone be endangered by a club, a golf ball or any other object. Practice swings towards people are forbidden, and hitting a golf ball towards a living creature even more so. If a ball is nevertheless unintentionally hit towards people, the warning "Fore" must be shouted immediately. To protect the golf course, divots must always be replaced, pitch marks repaired and sand bunkers always raked neatly after use.