Order of play
The convention that decides who plays next in a golf group — normally the player whose ball is furthest from the hole.
Overview
Because golfers share a course rather than take turns at a fixed station, an order of play keeps a group safe and moving. The default is straightforward: away from the green, the player furthest from the hole plays first; on the tee, the player with the best score on the previous hole usually goes first.
Groups also play “ready golf” in casual rounds, where whoever is prepared and safe to play goes next in order to keep pace. Both conventions serve the same purpose — nobody is standing in a landing area when a shot is struck.
Key points
- Away from the green, the ball furthest from the hole is normally played first.
- The right to play first from the tee is commonly called the honour.
- Casual groups often play ready golf to keep pace, which is a pace convention rather than a breach.
- The real purpose is safety: nobody should be ahead of a player about to strike.
Where it’s used
Sports that use order of play:
Related rules
How it connects
The meaning-bearing relationships that place Order of play in the wider knowledge graph — each one with the reason it exists.
Frequently learned together
Taught side by side in the same stage of a learning path.
- Playing the ball as it liesBoth are taught in the “Get to know the game” stage of the Golf learning path.
- Penalty strokes in golfBoth are taught in the “Get to know the game” stage of the Golf learning path.
- How golf is scoredBoth are taught in the “Get to know the game” stage of the Golf learning path.
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Order of play to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Officiating
Facilities
Learning paths
Equipment
Skills
- Ball controlThe skill of receiving and settling the ball quickly so it is ready to use.
- PuttingThe skill of rolling the ball along the green so it drops into the hole.
- ChippingThe short lofted shot played from near the green to get the ball rolling toward the hole.
- DrivingThe skill of hitting a long tee shot that sets up the rest of the hole from a playable position.
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How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Rule
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-08-30
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