Walking up to the tee box, that simple question can sometimes feel a bit awkward: So, who's up? Deciding the order of play isn't just about politeness, it's governed by specific rules and long-standing golf traditions. This guide will walk you through the official rules for determining who hits first, the common practices you'll see in a casual round, and why the order of play actually matters for your game.
In the official lingo of golf, the right to play first from the teeing area is called having the "honor." The process for determining who has the honor is outlined clearly in Rule 6.4 of the Rules of Golf. It’s a system designed to be fair and is used in all formal competitions, from your local club championship to the U.S. Open.
On the very first hole of a round, there's obviously no previous hole to base the order on. So, how is it decided?
Ultimately, any random method you and your group agree upon is perfectly acceptable for deciding the initial order on the first tee.
This is where "earning" the honor comes into play. After the first hole, the order of play for every subsequent tee shot is based entirely on the scores from the previous hole.
The player with the lowest gross score (your actual A-to-B strokes) on the hole just completed has the honor on the next tee. The player with the second-lowest score goes second, and so on.
Example: Let's say on a par-4, your group scores the following:
On the next tee box, the order would be: Player A hits first, then Player B. Since Player C and Player D tied, their order doesn't officially matter, but typically they would decide between themselves or just play when ready.
What if two or more players have the same lowest score on a hole? Great question. In this case, there is no change to the previous order. The player who had the honor on the last tee retains it.
Example: Player B had the honor on the 7th tee. On that hole, both Player B and Player C make a par 4, which is the low score for the group. Because they tied, Player B keeps the honor and will tee off first on the 8th hole.
While the basic principle of "low score plays first" remains, the application can change slightly depending on the format of golf you're playing. It's helpful to know these distinctions, especially for match play.
In standard stroke play (which most of us play), you are counting every single shot, and honors are based on the individual gross score on the previous hole, as described above.
In match play, the "score" is about winning, losing, or tying individual holes. Therefore, the honor is decided by who wins the hole, not by the low-ball stroke total.
In team games, a similar logic applies. Honors are determined by the team's performance, not an individual's.
You’ve learned the official rules, but if you've played any amount of public golf, you know that practice doesn't always follow the letter of the law. And for good reason: pace of play. Constantly waiting for the person with the honor to find their tee and get set up can seriously slow down a round. This is where "Ready Golf" comes in.
Ready Golf is a simple, common sense approach: hit when you are ready, as long as it is safe to do so. It’s an etiquette widely encouraged by golf courses and governing bodies to keep the game moving.
Examples of playing Ready Golf include:
The golden rule of Ready Golf is to be considerate and aware. Never hit if another player in your group is in the middle of their pre-shot routine or obviously preparing to swing. A quick verbal confirmation ("I'm going to jump ahead here") is always a good practice. In casual play, Ready Golf should be your default setting after the first tee. You can still acknowledge the person with the official honor - a simple "You have the honor, Jane" - before a ready player steps up to hit.
Beyond tradition and rules, the order of play can have some interesting effects on the game, particularly from a strategic standpoint.
In a tight match or a competitive stroke play round, going first or last can be a real factor.
As we've covered, efficiency is the main reason groups abandon strict honors in favor of Ready Golf. A round of golf flows much better when players hit as they become ready, preventing those awkward lulls where three people are just watching one person go through their full routine. Getting the process right keeps everyone active, engaged, and gets your group around the course faster, which is something everyone can appreciate.
Ultimately, knowing who hits first on the tee is about finding a balance between respecting the game's official rules and using common sense to keep your round moving. On the first tee, use a random method, and for the rest of the round, award the honor to the player with the low score from the previous hole - but in a friendly round, don't be afraid to embrace "Ready Golf" to maintain a good pace.
Understanding these on-course procedures is part of becoming a smarter, more confident golfer. This confidence grows when you eliminate uncertainty from your game, a goal we kept top of mind when designing Caddie AI. Our app is built to be your personal source of clarity on the course by answering your questions, providing smart strategies for every hole, and analyzing the tricky lies you find yourself in, so you can stop second-guessing and start playing with full commitment.
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