7 Golf Traditions You’ll Have To Pry From My Cold, Dead Hands

Compared to the rest of my MGS colleagues, I’m more of a traditionalist.

Don’t get it twisted—I am in full support of what Connor wrote earlier this week about how the game is meant to be enjoyed above all else. If you’re being a decent person, go for it.

You won’t find any gatekeeping here.

Yes, I am the guy who says you shouldn’t get free relief from fairway divots. I mean that as an official Rule of Golf. You, the weekend hacker, can do whatever the hell you want. I won’t judge you on the course unless you’re straight up being an asshole.

Having said this, my personal enjoyment of the game is a little more conventional.

Maybe it’s because I grew up playing a lot of tournament golf. Maybe it’s because my dad and grandpa influenced me a ton during my early days in the game and they played golf a certain way.

Above all else, one of golf’s attractions to me is the decorum.

What I mean is that I personally like my golf having certain boundaries and expectations.

Even as the game becomes more progressive—which I deeply appreciate and want to champion here—there are certain traditions and modes of play I don’t want to abandon just because it’s trendy.

I don’t want this to come across as stuffy, elitist or condescending. Playing the game a certain way does not make me better than other golfers in any way, shape or form (unless you are purposefully crashing golf carts into each other. Then, yes, I am better than you).

With that being said, here are seven golf traditions I refuse to give up.

1. I play with my golf shirt tucked in

Gasp.

Perhaps I am the only golfer on the planet who finds that tucking in their shirt is more comfortable than not tucking it in.

I find that, functionally, it’s easier for me to swing without my shirt moving around.

And even if I had a golf shirt that didn’t move at all, I like how tucking in a shirt signifies some level of order (which is a theme on this list).

Kind of like going to church or a nice dinner, I like how you go to a course and can dress to a certain standard (if that is what you want).

I’m a total outlier on this topic here at MGS and I understand why. Everyone should be comfortable when they play!

This is what brings me comfort.

If I showed up to the course in a T-shirt and gym shorts, it would feel … unserious and weird.

2. I don’t like music being played during the round

While I don’t have an issue with music on golf courses (as long as it’s at a reasonable volume), I play golf to get away from the noise of modern life.

I love music. It’s a huge influence on my life. But I get plenty of it on a daily basis.

Every place you go—restaurants, offices, festivals—have music playing.

I’m just asking for some silence. Can we listen to the birds chirp for a minute?

Which leads me into how …

3. I turn my phone off while playing

I know there are a million amazing golf apps, especially for in-round use.

This might be a very unpopular opinion but I like to raw-dog my rounds. No technology outside of my rangefinder or using whatever GPS system is in the cart.

Oh, there’s a 10-minute wait on the tee box? I want to strike up a conversation with my playing partner.

Oh, I’m playing on my own and have to wait? I’ll either go back to the previous green and chip around or I’ll do some deep breaths.

Life is constant tech stimulation. Can I just have a few hours without it?

4. I putt with the pin out

If it’s a really long putt and I can’t see the hole, I’ll keep the flagstick in.

But, in general, I prefer to take it out.

There is nothing wrong with keeping it in and obviously it’s been within the rules for several years.

It just looks so strange to me to be putting with the flagstick in. It has very “practice round” vibes.

I’m also not buying that it speeds up play to keep the pin in. It takes two seconds to remove it.

I’ve also rarely, if ever, been in a situation where my playing partners insist on putting with the flag in. Nobody has ever had an issue with the fact that I like to take it out. About 90 percent of the time, recreational golfers don’t even care.

5. Shaking hands at the end of a round

I fully recognize this is a little old-fashioned but I like to end each round with taking off my hat and shaking hands.

It’s meaningful to me that I acknowledge my playing partners at the end of the round.

To me, it’s a sign of respect. It’s like, “Hey, we went on this little journey together and I appreciate you being a part of this.”

And if you want to do hugs or bro grabs, it’s all the same to me.

6. Following proper order of play (where applicable)

Ready golf seems to be the auto-answer everyone gives when it comes to order of play.

I like that golf has a certain cadence where the player farthest from the hole hits.

I also like (but am not married to) using the previous hole’s scores to decide the batting order for the following hole, especially if someone had a good hole—they should be rewarded with the honor on the tee box.

I love ready golf if the player who is supposed to be hitting isn’t in a position to hit. Let’s keep things moving along.

But I really enjoy the rhythm of playing in order.

7. Adhering to basic etiquette

I’m adding this in at the end as a catch-all for etiquette that should be common but often gets ignored.

Being quiet while someone hits. Getting your shadow away from someone’s line while they putt. Yelling “fore” for offline shots. Taking care of the course.

It’s less about being stuffy and more about just respecting other people.

As I mentioned, I like that golf (traditionally) holds people to a higher standard of how to conduct yourself. That means something to me.

That’s why I hold on to certain traditions.

Which ones do you still keep? Let me know below in the comments.

Top Photo Caption: A handshake during the 2025 Walker Cup. (GETTY IMAGES/Luke Hales)