You've taken lessons! You've gone to the driving range a few times! You've done some chipping and putting on practice greens! Now you're ready to venture out onto the golf course. Here are some tips on the etiquette and customs of golf so that you won't be too confused.

Tee Times - Unless the golf course is not very crowded, it's usually necessary to make a reservation or "tee time" to play. This is the time that you need to be ready to start playing! (greens fees paid, shoes on, stretching exercises complete, putting practice complete, etc.) A good rule of thumb is that you should arrive at least a half hour before your tee time. If you're late, it's very unusual for the course to permit your group to wait until you arrive. They'll most likely find a single to fill your spot.

Equipment - All players are expected to have their own golf bag and set of clubs, golf balls (about 10), tees, and something to use to mark their ball (like a dime). Most golfers wear golf shoes, but they're not absolutely necessary. Similarly, most golfers wear a golf glove on their left hand (right-handers), but some choose not to. If you don't want to carry your bag, you may want to get a pull cart. An alternative at most courses is to rent a driving cart.

Safety - Accidents are rare on the golf course, but they do happen. For safety, you should always wait until the group ahead of you is out of range and not in any danger of being hit by your ball. If one of your errant shots does end up heading in the direction of another player on the course, it is customary to yell "FORE" to warn the other golfers. It's also important to avoid walking in an area where someone in your own group is likely to hit. This is particularly true when you're playing with beginners since their shots are often unpredictable.

Pace of Play - Golf is usually played in groups of four people (a "foursome"). Since each foursome plays the same hole sequentially, there is a LOT of emphasis on the pace of play. This is by far the single biggest problem associated with beginners on the golf course. You'll find that the group behind you doesn't care how well you play, but they DO care how fast you play and are often not bashful about complaining since they can't play the hole until you are out of their way. The better golf courses often pay marshals to ride around the course enforcing pace of play rules.

Order of Play and "Ready Golf" - Historically, it has been customary for the person who is farthest from the hole to hit first, but this is not required in normal golf competitions. Because of the current emphasis on pace of play, this custom has largely been replaced by "Ready Golf". "Ready Golf" means that you hit whenever you're ready as long as you can hit the ball safely.

Ball Markers - You should always carry something with you to mark the position of your ball. Your ball marker can be something small and flat like a dime or else a ball marker made specifically for that purpose. On the putting green, one of your fellow players will sometimes ask you to "mark your ball" when it is close to the line of their intended putt. To "mark your ball", you should place the ball marker directly behind your ball and pick it up. You will replace the ball and pick up your marker when it's your turn to putt.

Walking on the Green - As you walk and putt on the putting green, try to avoid stepping in the line of another player's putt. Footprints leave temporary indentations in the green which may affect the roll of their putt. You'll find that most golfers don't really care that much where you step, but some serious golfers will get VERY upset if you step in their line. Also, you should NEVER roll a pull cart across the green. Many courses also ask that you not take pull carts across the tees.

Gimmes - A "Gimme" is a short putt (less than about 2 feet) that golfers often don't bother to putt. They just pick up the ball under the assumption that they would make the putt. This can be good because it speeds up play, but it is in conflict with the rules of golf which require that each golfer continue play until their ball is in the hole. Accepting "gimmes" is fine in a friendly round of golf, but don't ever do it in any sort of competition. You will be disqualified.

Finishing a Hole - When your group is finished playing a hole, you should move to the next tee immediately. There is another group behind you waiting! You should wait until you're at the next tee to write down your score or discuss the previous hole.

Socializing - Golf can be a social game, but it's important to know when it's okay to chit chat and when it's not. Generally, you should avoid unnecessary discussion when it affects your group's pace of play or might disturb someone who is about to hit. For example, if it's your turn to hit, you need to stop chatting about the weather and hit the ball! On the other hand, if you're waiting for the group ahead of you and nobody nearby is hitting, then feel free to chat all you like.