Safety
Prior to playing a stroke or making a practice swing, the player should ensure that no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs or the like that may be moved by the stroke or swing.

Consideration for Other Players
The player who has the honor should be allowed to play before his opponent or fellow-competitor tees his ball. Unless you need to play READY GOLF.

No one should move, talk or stand close to or directly behind the ball or the hole when a player is addressing the ball or making a stroke.

No player should play until the players in front are out of range.

Pace of Play
In the interest of all, players should play without delay.

If a player believes his ball may be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds, to save time, he should play a provisional ball.

Players searching for a ball should signal the players behind them to pass as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found. They should not search for five minutes before doing so. They should not continue play until the players following them have passed and are out of range.

When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.

If a match fails to keep its place on the course and loses more than one clear hole on the players in front, it should invite the match following to pass.

Holes in Bunkers
Before leaving a bunker, a player should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints made by him.

Repair Divots, Ball-Marks and Damage by Spikes
A player should ensure that any divot hole made by him and any damage to the putting green made by a ball is carefully repaired. On completion of the hole by all players in the group, damage to the putting green caused by golf shoe spikes should be repaired.

Damage to Greens — Flagsticks, Bags, etc.
Players should ensure that, when putting down bags or the flagstick, no damage is done to the putting green and that neither they nor their caddies damage the hole by standing close to it, in handling the flagstick or in removing the ball from the hole. The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before the players leave the putting green. Players should not damage the putting green by leaning on their putters, particularly when removing the ball from the hole.

Golf Carts
Local notices regulating the movement of golf carts should be strictly observed.

Damage Through Practice Swings
In taking practice swings, players should avoid causing damage to the course, particularly the tees, by removing divots.

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MORE TIPS ON ETIQUETTE from golf.about.com

Etiquette is a word that's often heard in relation to golf, moreso than with any other sport. But it's not just about manners.

The rules of golf etiquette are what they are for several very important reasons: Many of them relate to the safety of golfers, many relate to pace of play (which helps keep the game enjoyable), and others relate to maintaining the quality of the golf course.

In other words, etiquette is an essential part of the game of golf. And it's something that newcomers to the game often learn as they go - on the course, when playing with more experienced golfers, for instance.

If you are new to the game, or just need to brush up on your etiquette, here are some basic rules of the road that will help keep the game enjoyable for you and those around you.

Keep It Safe
Golf clubs and golf balls can do a lot of damage to a human body. So for your safety and that of those around you, please:
• Do not swing your club until you know that others in your group are at a safe distance. Likewise, keep your distance when others are swinging. Be aware to steer clear of trouble.
• When practicing your swing, never swing in the direction of another player. There may be pebbles or twigs or other matter in the grass that could fly up and injure a playing partner.
• Do not hit the ball until you are certain that the group ahead of you is out of range.
• If your ball appears headed toward another player or another group, give them a warning by yelling out, "Fore!"
• Observe the safety suggestions posted in golf carts and drive carefully.
• Never throw clubs in anger. In addition to being rude and childish, it could also be dangerous.

Maintain a Good Pace
• Keep the round moving by being prepared to hit your shot when it is your turn. You probably don't like waiting on other groups - don't make other groups wait on you.
• The player who is away hits first in a group. However, in friendly matches (as opposed to tournament play), this rule can be ignored in favor of "ready play" - players hit as they are ready. All players should agree to "ready play" before it is put into effect.
• Do not spend too much time looking for a lost ball, particularly if there is a group behind you ready to play. If you insist on taking the full five minutes alloted to look for lost balls, wave up the group behind to allow them to play through.
• Always try to keep pace with the group ahead of you, and always allow a faster group to play through, especially if they have fewer players than your group.
• When two players in a cart hit to opposite sides of a hole, drive to first ball and drop that player off with the appropriate club, then drive to the second ball. After both players hit, they should meet up again farther down the hole.
• If you are walking from your cart to your ball, take a couple clubs with you. Taking only one club, then having to return to the cart to retrieve a different club, is a huge time-waster.
• Always leave the putting green as soon as your group has finished putting.

Be Kind to the Course
• Observe cart rules. Some courses will post "cart path only" signs; others will ask you to observe the "90-degree rule." Do as you are told.
• Keep carts away from greens and hazards.
• Repair all divots.
• Repair all ball marks on the green.
• Always rake sand traps after hitting a shot to erase your footprints and damage to the area where your ball was.
• Never take a divot on a practive swing.

And a Few More Hints
• Quiet, please! Never talk during another player's swing, whether on the tee, in the fairway or on the putting green.
• Do not scream for joy - or scream in disgust - after a shot. Even if boisterous behavior doesn't bother your playing partners, there are other people on the course who may be within earshot.
• Be aware of your shadow on the putting green. Don't stand in a place that causes your shadow to be cast across another player or that player's putting line.
• Never walk through a playing partner's putting line. Your footprints might alter the path of a partner's putt. Step over the putting line, or walk around (behind) the partner's ball.