Golf · Level 1: Beginner · Sub-level 1.5

Etiquette and Safety

4 tests · 40 facts · updated 13 October 2026 · markdown

Safety on the course, caring for greens and bunkers, pace of play and how golfers behave.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1Safety on the courseTake a test

Stand where neither the club nor the ball can reach you.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Never hit when a ball could reach people.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Protecting the head matters most.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Clubs can injure people as well as balls.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Serious misconduct can lead to disqualification.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 1.1 (the spirit of the game) and Rule 1.2 (standards of conduct) · recall
A round can take four hours in the sun.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
A slip during the swing can cause injury.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Shouting early gives people time to protect themselves.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · applied
Safety checks come before the swing.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
'Fore!' is the warning every golfer recognises.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · applied

Test 2Caring for the courseTake a test

Iron shots often take a divot after the ball.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Some courses ask you to fill divots with sand mix instead.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
High shots make deeper pitch marks.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
An unrepaired mark can take weeks to recover.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Dragged spikes leave marks other players must putt over.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Courses often set extra limits after rain.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Dropping it can damage the green.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Lifting the centre tears the roots; work from the edges.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Writing scores off the green keeps groups moving.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
It is often called a divot tool or pitch-mark repairer.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · applied

Test 3Pace of playTake a test

It is encouraged in stroke play to keep rounds moving.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 6.4b · recall
Letting them through helps everyone.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Walking back to the bag for a new ball slows everyone down.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
If the first ball is found in bounds, the provisional is abandoned.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 18.3 · recall
You can walk straight on after holing out.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Leaving the green quickly lets the next group play.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Arriving early keeps the start smooth.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Small habits save minutes on every hole.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Then carry on with your own round.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Raking leaves a fair lie for the next player.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · applied

Test 4Behaviour and dressTake a test

Golf is usually played without a referee.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 1.1 (the spirit of the game) and Rule 1.2 (standards of conduct) · recall
Players are expected to call penalties on themselves.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 1.1 (the spirit of the game) and Rule 1.2 (standards of conduct) · recall
Movement and noise can distract.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Step over or around the line.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Dress codes differ, so check before visiting.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Noise can disturb other players.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
It closes the round with respect.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Players may stop play themselves if they think lightning threatens.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 5.7a · recall
Courtesy keeps everyone focused.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
A player may stop play if they reasonably believe there is danger from lightning.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 5.7a · applied

Sources

The R&A and USGA Rules of Golf 2023 (Definitions) and Equipment Rules, the World Handicap System Rules of Handicapping, and general golf references; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Rule-by-rule procedures belong to the Rules of Golf category.

General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides)33
The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 1.1 (the spirit of the game) and Rule 1.2 (standards of conduct)3
The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 5.7a2
The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 6.4b1
The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 18.31