If you are fairly new to golf you should understand the game has associated with it an etiquette or a set of rules. Sometimes you will even run into one or two golfers who do not follow these rules and it upsets many of the more experienced players. Thus golf etiquette for the beginning golfers is essential to enhance the enjoyment of the game for all players involved.
It may be that those few that do not incorporate golf etiquette into their game may not know that rules exist. Or they may intuitively know that people follow certain ways and customs when playing the game but don't really know what the full rules are.
The rules are meant not only to keep the game harmonious for the players, they exist also to keep everyone safe. And hence perhaps one of the best rules is if you see someone ahead of you that is in anyway within hitting distance, you should let them play through. The game of golf is supposed to be relaxing so why be impatient. Your turn will come. Besides most courses require people to play in a group of four so it 's a great time to get acquainted with new players or to just "chew the fat" with friends it that's how you configured yourself.
I used to play golf with my cousin when we were young. He has always been a bit of a hot head but on the golf course he was a maniac. He would throw his clubs when a shot went the wrong way for him. He was a way better player than I so if I acted in the same fashion as he did, I wouldn't have any clubs left. It should go without say that you shouldn't throw your clubs. Not only is it bad conduct, it can hurt someone. And while we can all get a good laugh from when the Judge in the movie threw his club and hit another player at the clubhouse, in real life it's simply not funny and can set you up for a lawsuit and even jail.
A more subtle etiquette is to make sure that when a player in your group is taking a shot. Stand well enough behind him or her. This may seem like yet another obvious rule that should go without say, but you would be surprised how many even veteran golfers do not adhere to this one. It too, can lead to injury.
There are other rules that are certainly less about danger and more about courtesy. Whoever is the lowest score player of the previous hole goes first in the next hole. Players can decide amongst themselves if they want to adhere to this rule and there are times when the lead player will tell someone to go ahead. But in general don't assume anything with regard to this. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Another important one is to help any player in your group if they lose a ball in the woods. There are two reasons for this and it is not just because it's a nice thing to do. The first is that it will hurry the process along and thus will speed up game play and second, you'll want the same courtesy extended to you. Again, the player may decide to quickly abandon the search and take a drop but let him or her make that decision. Balls are expensive and you want to retrieve as many as you possibly can. As a bonus, typically when looking for a ball, you will find others that have been long since abandoned by other groups.
There are several other rules such as replacing divits and smoothing out sand traps after use. If you ever have any questions, most of the people in your group can probably answer them or they will gently remind you if you happen to break one of the rules. You also should check with the golf pro from time to time to see if there have been any updates to rules or if there are rules specific to a particular course.
