Ever been on a golf course and heard someone shout, You're away! without knowing what it meant? The term away is a fundamental piece of golf lingo that dictates the order of play and keeps the game flowing. This guide will walk you through exactly what away means, why it matters for both rules and etiquette, and how it applies in different situations on the course - from the fairway to the tee box.
In golf, the player who is "away" is the one whose ball is the farthest from the hole. The rules of golf state that this player should be the next one to hit their shot. This simple principle of playing order governs most of the game after everyone has hit their tee shots until the last putt drops.
For example, imagine you and your friend both hit your drives onto the fairway. Your ball lands 160 yards from the green, while your friend’s ball is 140 yards from the green. In this scenario, you are "away" because your ball is farther from the hole, and therefore, it's your turn to play.
This concept doesn't just stop in the fairway. It applies everywhere on the course:
The logic is always the same: find the ball that has the longest journey left to the cup - that's the player who is "away" and scheduled to hit next.
Adhering to the "away" convention isn’t just about following an old tradition, it has practical benefits for rule-following, safety, strategy, and the overall pace of play.
The concept is codified in Rule 6.4 of the Rules of Golf, which covers the order of play. For stroke play, the most common format for recreational golfers, Rule 6.4a states:
"After all players start a hole, the players play in this order...The ball that is farthest from the hole is to be played next."
Interestingly, in regular stroke play, there's no penalty for playing out of turn. The rule is more of a guideline designed to maintain structure. However, knowing the proper procedure shows you understand and respect the integrity of the game. We'll touch on how this differs in match play later.
One of the biggest practical reasons for the "away" rule is that it maintains a good pace. When the farthest player hits first, they can then begin moving forward while the next player prepares for their shot. This creates a continuous, rolling progression down the hole, preventing players from bunching up and then all having to walk together.
Imagine the opposite: if the closest player hit first, the golfer who is "away" would have to wait for them, watch them hit, and then begin their own pre-shot routine. It would create a stop-and-start rhythm that would add significant time to a round.
Golf etiquette is all about showing respect for your playing partners and the course. Letting the player who is "away" hit first is a sign of that an awareness. It prevents anyone from feeling rushed or as if their turn was skipped.
More importantly, it’s a matter of safety. The designated order of play ensures that golfers aren't hitting while another player is nearby or in their line of play. When you know whose turn it is, everyone else can stand to the side or back, out of harm’s way, giving the player a clear and safe space to swing.
Playing in the correct order can also provide useful information. For example, if you are second to play your approach shot to the green, you get to watch the player who was "away" hit first. You can observe:
This free information can help you adjust your own club selection or target line. The same is true on the putting green - watching your partners putt before you gives you valuable insight into the break and speed of the green.
While "away" dictates the order of play from fairway to green, a different term is used on the tee box: "honor".
"Having the honor" means you have the right to tee off first. The initial order on the first tee is usually decided by a friendly agreement, such as flipping a tee. From the second hole onward, the honor is earned based on performance.
According to Rule 6.4b, the player with the lowest score on the previous hole gets the honor on the next tee. If two or more players tie the hole, the teeing order stays the same as it was on the previous hole. So if you make a birdie while your partners all make par, you have the honor to lead off on the next hole.
The application and importance of playing "away" can shift slightly depending on the format you’re playing.
As covered, this is the most straightforward application. Farthest from the hole plays first. There's no penalty for playing out of turn, so it often gives way to "ready golf" (more on that below).
Match play is a head-to-head format where you win, lose, or tie holes. Here, the order of play is much more strict. If you play out of turn in match play, Rule 6.4a gives your opponent a choice. They can either let your shot stand as is, or they can cancel your shot and require you to play it again in the correct order. Shrewd opponents will often use this to their advantage. If you hit a great shot out of turn, they’ll almost certainly cancel it and make you re-do it, hoping you don’t repeat the successful result.
In a scramble, where all players on a team hit from the same spot, the concept of "away" doesn't apply between teammates. Instead, teams strategize on their order of play. For example, a less consistent player might hit first to ensure a ball is safely in play, while the longest hitter might go last to try for a more aggressive line. Or on the green, one player might hit a bold putt to show the line to a teammate.
While the "away" rule provides structure, the golf world has increasingly embraced a concept designed to speed up play: Ready Golf.
"Ready Golf" is a simple, common-sense agreement among a group of golfers. It means that if it's not technically your turn but you are ready to hit and it is safe to do so, you should go ahead and play. The goal is to minimize waiting and keep things moving.
Ready Golf should be the default in casual, stroke-play rounds. The key is always safety and awareness. Never hit if there’s a chance you could interfere with another player or put them in danger. A quick "Are you ready?" or "Mind if I go?" is always good practice.
In short, being "away" means your ball is farthest from the pin, and in traditional golf play, it's your turn to hit. This principle governs order of play across the course, promotes good pacing and safety, and is a pillar of golf etiquette. While "Ready Golf" is now encouraged to keep the game moving, understanding the core concept of "away" is a sign of a well-rounded golfer who respects the game's foundations.
Feeling confident and prepared on the course is about more than just your swing - it's also about knowing these simple rules and procedures so you can focus on your game. That’s precisely why we created Caddie AI. Our AI-driven coach removes the guesswork not only from rules and etiquette questions but also from on-course strategy. Whether you're unsure whose turn it is in a specific format or need a smart plan for playing a tough hole, you'll get instant, expert advice right when you need it, helping you play with more confidence and enjoy the game more.
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