Happy New Year!
 
I am continuing with some golf etiquette questions that many of you might have.
 
“Where should I stand on the tee?”
So you've made it to the first tee on the golf course. Where should you stand? The better question might be "Where shouldn't you stand?" Individual golfers have their own quirks and pet peeves, but generally, you don't want to be anywhere in front of the player teeing off or in the player’s line of vision. Directly across from the player (the same line as the ball) is probably not a good idea, and many players don't like it when someone is directly behind them. The one exception to the latter might be when the golfer is teeing off into the sun, so you can help the player locate the ball after it's hit. Also important: try not to move while the player is swinging, and no talking!  It doesn't bother every golfer, but sitting in your golf cart while others are hitting tee shots can be considered rude, too, so it's also best to watch the other players’ shots and even encourage them. 

“ ‘Ready Golf’ rules (but birdies and eagles should go first)”
In casual golf, Ready Golf has certainly become the custom, meaning that playing out of order is fine as long as you are not impeding another player. (Tradition has always been that the player furthest away from the hole goes first, but that can often slow down play.) If you're ready to hit, go for it. The one exception is on the tee when one of the players in your group has made a birdie or eagle on the previous hole. In this case, it's always preferred, even if that player isn't ready, to say, "Birdie goes first," at least making the offer.
 
Grip, Clip, & Pose
Kirk Taylor, PGA 
Head Golf Professional—The Outlaw