Business Golf Etiquette

A Guide For New Golfers

Whether you're heading to the course for networking, client entertainment, or team building, golf offers one of the most unique and effective business environments out there. But if you’re new to the game, there’s more to it than just hitting the ball.

Golf has a culture — and understanding that culture is essential for making a good impression.

Here’s your complete guide to business golf etiquette for beginners.

1. Show Up Early

Being rushed is the fastest way to fluster your game and irritate your playing partners. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to check in, warm up, and be ready on the tee box.

2. Dress the Part

Most golf courses have a dress code. Collared shirts, clean golf or athletic shoes, and tucked-in shirts are standard. Skip the gym clothes, cargo shorts, and T-shirts — appearance matters.

3. Silence Is Golden

Avoid talking, shuffling, or moving while someone is preparing to hit. Stay still until the ball is in the air or the stroke is complete — especially on the green.

4. Respect Putting Lines

On the green, don’t step on the line between another player’s ball and the hole. Even a subtle footprint can affect the roll of a putt.

5. Know When It's Your Turn

Traditionally, the player farthest from the hole plays first. On the tee box, the player with the lowest score on the last hole has the honor. But many groups play “ready golf” — hitting when ready, as long as it’s safe. Just communicate with your group.

6. Keep Up the Pace

Slow play kills the vibe. Limit pre-shot routines to a couple of practice swings, stay aware of your group’s position on the course, and be ready when it’s your turn.

7. Be Phone Smart

Keep your phone on silent. If you must take a call, excuse yourself quietly. Don’t scroll during someone’s shot.

8. Stay Composed

Everyone hits bad shots — even the pros. What matters more than the outcome is how you handle it.

Avoid slamming clubs, shouting, or cursing. Keep your cool.

Many seasoned golfers actually prefer meeting partners and colleagues on the course because golf reveals character quickly: how you react to frustration, how you treat others, and how you carry yourself under pressure.

Composure counts — especially in a business setting.

9. Care for the Course

Part of golf’s culture is leaving the course better than you found it. Here’s how to do your part:

• Divots: Replace the turf if intact, or fill with sand/seed mix if provided.

• Ball Marks: Use a repair tool on the green — push the edges in and up, never dig or scoop.

• Bunkers: Always enter the bunker from the lowest point — this protects the bunker walls from damage. After your shot, rake your footprints and any marks cleanly and thoroughly, leaving the sand smooth for the next player. Exit the same low point and return the rake to its proper resting spot (outside or inside the bunker, based on course policy).

Course care isn’t just about respect — it’s about reputation.

10. Be a Good Partner

Golf is a game of self-governance and mutual respect. You don’t need to be a rules expert, but you do need to be attentive.

• Help locate lost balls (within the three-minute rule).

• Watch where shots land to assist your playing partners.

• Be mindful of the flagstick:

• Leave it in unless a player requests it be removed — especially on long putts or chips.

• Remove it if asked, or when the ball is close enough for a short putt and players prefer it out.

• If you pull the flag, set it down gently off the green — never toss it.

Small acts of awareness go a long way in building rapport and making the round enjoyable for everyone.

11. Save Business Talk for Later

Use the front nine to build rapport. If there’s business to discuss, wait until the back nine or the 19th hole (aka lunch or drinks afterward). Let the game open the door naturally.

12. Take a Lesson First (Trust Us)

If you're new to the game — or it’s been a while — invest in a lesson before your first business round. It’s not just about how you hit. It’s about how you carry yourself.

At ATX Golf Performance, we work with professionals who want to feel confident on the course — whether that means dialing in your full swing, developing touch around the green, or simply learning to navigate the course with poise.

You don’t need to be a scratch golfer — but you should be composed, prepared, and ready to enjoy the day.

Final Thoughts

Golf is more than a game. It’s a mirror for business character — how you prepare, how you adapt, and how you treat others when things don’t go your way.

Follow these etiquette rules and you won’t just survive your first corporate round — you’ll thrive. And more importantly, you’ll leave the kind of impression that sticks.

Need help getting started?
Come train with us at ATX Golf Performance, where we coach real golf for real life.

Glossary of Common Golf Terms

Tee Box:
The designated area where each hole begins. This is where you hit your first shot.

Fairway:
The closely mowed area between the tee box and the green. This is the ideal landing zone for most shots.

Rough:
The longer grass bordering the fairway. Shots from here are more challenging.

Green:
The smooth, short grass area where the hole is located. Putting happens here.

Putting Line:
The invisible line between a player’s ball and the hole on the green. Don’t step on it.

Divot:
A chunk of turf removed during a shot. Either replace it or fill the area with sand/seed mix.

Ball Mark (Pitch Mark):
A small dent or depression on the green made when the ball lands. Repair it properly.

Bunker (Sand Trap):
A sandy hazard near the fairway or green. Enter from the low side and rake it smooth afterward.

The Honor:
The right to tee off first, usually awarded to the player with the best score on the previous hole.

Ready Golf:
A pace-of-play practice where players hit when ready, rather than strictly by order of distance. It’s efficient and widely accepted in casual and business rounds.

Par:
The expected number of strokes a skilled player should take to complete a hole.

Birdie:
One stroke under par.

Bogey:
One stroke over par.

Fore!:
A warning shout to alert others that a ball may be heading in their direction.

Clubhouse:
The main facility at a golf course, typically including a pro shop, restaurant, and locker rooms.

19th Hole:
A casual term for the bar or restaurant where players gather after the round — often used for business talk or socializing.

Flagstick (Pin):
The pole in the hole that shows the target on the green. Some players prefer it left in or removed when putting.