Most golfers know the basics of course etiquette: fix your divots, repair ball marks, and rake the bunkers. But according to golf course superintendents, there are less obvious habits players often overlook—habits that can do just as much damage to a course over time.
We asked three superintendents, all certified by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, to reveal the little things golfers should stop doing right away.
1. Leaving Broken Tees Behind
Chad Allen, director of agronomy at The Club at Chatham Hills in Indiana, says broken tees are a bigger problem than most golfers realize.
“Golfers don’t pick up broken tees. They just throw them around, and they stick in tires,” Allen explained. “Two or three times a year, we have to replace a tire because a tee got stuck in it. If a tee gets into a reel mower, it can lock it up and drag across the turf.”
Instead of tossing them aside, Allen urges players to pocket broken tees or drop them in the small “tee trash” containers often provided near tee boxes.
2. Driving Carts the Wrong Way
Darren Davis, superintendent at Olde Florida Golf Club, points to golf cart traffic as one of the biggest hidden challenges in maintaining pristine conditions.
“The way people drive carts—they’re just focused on getting from tee to green, usually in the same spots as their buddies, and way too close to the greens,” Davis said.
That repeated traffic compacts turf and creates visible wear patterns. According to Davis, if golfers treated carts with more care, even modestly funded courses could look as flawless as those seen on TV.
3. Being Careless Around the Hole
For Chad Blank, former assistant superintendent at Hazeltine National and now in turfgrass management, the biggest issue comes on the greens themselves.
“It’s important not to use your putter to dig the ball out of the hole,” Blank said. “Even those gadgets on grips for picking up the ball can damage the cup if used carelessly.”
When players shove their hands—or worse, equipment—into the hole, it warps the edges. That not only ruins the look of the cup but can also affect putts later in the day.
“Think of it as leaving the course better for the next person,” Blank said. “It’s small, but it makes a huge difference.”
The Bottom Line
Golf etiquette isn’t just about being polite—it’s about protecting the course for everyone. Picking up broken tees, driving carts responsibly, and treating holes with care are easy steps any golfer can take. As Davis put it: “If we didn’t have cart traffic and careless habits, almost every course could look championship-ready.”
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