5 Etiquette Guidelines You May Be Violating on the Greens

“Yeah, that’s where this game is won. Right here on the green.”

The comment, uttered by Caddy Bagger Vance in the fictional – though, sometimes, real – golf movie, The Legend of Bagger Vanceit is true. Rarely is a match, a tournament, a major championship defined by a superbly struck forehand or iron. Golf’s greatest moments unfold on the green.

Incidentally, a golfer’s label is most exposed there.

You may know the basics of how to behave on and around the putting surface, but there are finer points to carrying yourself with class when the game hits the green. Here, we highlight five key aspects of etiquette when you and your gaming partners have a player in hand.

Issues at hand

When it comes to the green label, most fakes are made by standing in the wrong places. For example, you will never see the pros standing behind a player on an extension of their shooting line, not because it is against the rules, but because it is understood that taking such a position can be a distraction. The same is true for standing across the hole in a direct line with the putting player. As a good rule of thumb, avoid standing in areas where you are likely to be visible either in a player’s peripheral vision or in their direct line of sight while they are looking down the line of their shot.

Casting shadows

Only on the overcast days – or those unfortunate rounds played in the rain – will you cast no shadow on the ground. At all other times, the orientation of the sun has the potential to create distractions and challenging lighting situations. So when you’re standing on the green, take a moment to find your shade. If it falls over the line of a playing partner or is covering the cup, take as many steps as necessary to restore your shadow – otherwise it may be a distraction or interfere with the player’s ability to accurately judge the break and speed of his shot.

Tread carefully

Most golfers know to be careful about stepping into another player’s line on the green. If this is news to you, here’s a quick primer: When players walk onto the green, each step causes a slight depression in the ground. Most of the time, these depressions won’t be noticeable, but on softer greens, they can be. Depending on the hardness of the setting surface, the length of time it takes for these depressions to recover varies, but on average it takes at least a few minutes. This means that a mark made on the line of a putt has the ability to affect the way the ball rolls over that part of the pitch – it can affect the speed of the shot or it can affect the break. Either way, there’s a good chance that a new footprint will adversely interfere with a well-struck putt, even if that footprint isn’t visible to the naked eye.

So make sure you take note of where the other players are on the green and the lines they will take their shots. Long strides can usually do the trick if you’re walking between a player and the hole; however, taking a few extra moments to walk behind the player is always kindest. This also applies to scenarios where golfers are also off the green. Before you step in front of a player who is several feet behind on the fairway, on the collar, or perhaps on the first cut, take a look at the club he or she is holding. If they’re planning on taking potshots, go the extra mile and walk behind them—the courtesy won’t go unnoticed (or unappreciated).

Capture the flag

If you’re playing with strangers or a mix of people you don’t normally play with, chances are the flagstick theme will appear in the first green. “Do you like the pin in or out?” someone will inevitably ask. If the stakes are high—or if you’re playing in a tournament—by all means stay committed to how you like to putt. But if you’re just playing a fun, social round of golf and the other players all agree on how they prefer the flag stick, don’t be the one to rock the boat. If the consensus of the group is that everyone likes to put the flag stick out – and you’re a guy – don’t insist that the flag stick must be in when you shoot. It will only make difficult exchanges.

Also, if you’re holding the flagstick while the other players in your group finish, make sure you keep it near the top, high enough on the stick that you can wrap the flag around and hold it in your hand. Sometimes the sound of the flag flapping in the wind can be a distraction; and if you are responsible for getting the pin, make sure you keep control of the flag.

Ready, set….

If you have read my column in slow playyou know all the ins and outs that go into evaluating a shot, whether it’s in the dugout or on the fairway, it takes time. More time than you may realize. The same goes for greens. Reading breakassessing the slope, making sense of the grain (if you’re playing on traditional Bermuda grass), this chews up precious time. I’m not suggesting you don’t do these things—after all, the greens are where the game is won—but figure out when you can start doing them.

If you’re not the first in your group to putt, but you (including your shadow) are out of sight of the player who is, start evaluating your line. You may even have time to reposition your ball and be ready to nail moments after your partner plays. There’s no guarantee that the players in your group will notice this accelerated approach to the greens—they’re likely too focused on the shots they’re trying to make—but I can guarantee that the players behind you on the fairway will. Your initiative will speed up the game of your entire group.