Golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game therefore depends on the integrity of the player and respect for others. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, showing courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, regardless of how ambitious they are in their approach to the game. This is the spirit of golf.

The player should ensure that when he is making a stroke or practice swing, no one is standing too close to him, particularly where he could be struck by a club, ball, rock, gravel, twigs, etc. The player should not play the ball until the group in front is out of striking distance on the hole.

A player should immediately warn others on the course as soon as he plays the ball in their direction. The traditional warning in such situations is to shout loudly: fore! (pronounced Foor!) .

Players should always show respect for other players and should not disrupt their play by making unjustified movements, talking loudly or making noise.

A player should not place his ball on the teeing ground until it is his turn. Players should not stand close to or on the line behind the ball, nor on the line behind the hole when another player is making a stroke.