Golf Caddy and Spectator Etiquette

The good opinion of a caddy is a good sign that a golfer is playing the game in the right spirit of sportsmanship.

How to Conduct Yourself on a Golf Course

Etiquette for Caddies– 

• Stand about ten feet in front of the player to the right, facing him. 
• Do not take players’ clubs out of bag and swing them. 
• Replace divots and press them well down. 
• Never speak until spoken to. 
• When on the green hold the flag horizontally.  
• You should carefully kneel or squat when putting is in progress so as not to interfere with the view of the crowd around the green.
• The caddy is the fellow who can imitate a golfer almost to perfection, therefore a golfer who loses his temper also loses the respect of his caddy. The good opinion of a caddy is a good sign that a golfer is playing the game in the right spirit of sportsmanship.

Etiquette for Golf Spectators –

• Spectators slowing the players during a match or exhibition should not stampede for vantage points. If you do, others by the thousand will do the same. This is not fair sportmanship to the players, leaving such a narrow fairway to play between to the green. 
• You should be considerate also in passing traps and bunkers to go around them. Footmarks through the sand in the traps often cost a player plenty to get out. 
• Do not crowd too well on the sides and the back of the green, so that the players can't see the flag. If you do all they can see is faces. Moreover it is almost impossible to judge distance in approach shots. 
• Allow players to pass from the green to the tee. 
• In the course of a match, do not accost a player no matter how well you know him. Give him a chance to concentrate on his game. 
• It is wise policy at all times to consider the player first.

By A. D. Walker, Professional Golfer, Whittier, Calif., 1933

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia