Honour
The honour is the right to tee off first at the next hole — it belongs to the player with the best score on the previous hole.
The honour is one of golf's oldest rules of etiquette and at the same time a small sporting prize. Whoever won the previous hole with the fewest strokes tees off first at the next tee first. If scores are tied, the order of the previous hole stands — that is called "retained honour". On the first hole the draw decides, in tournaments often the starting list. In match play the honour carries tactical weight, because the first good shot builds pressure on the opponent.
In practice you notice the honour in small rituals. An example: you win the par 3 with a birdie against your playing partner. At the next tee he gestures with an outstretched arm: "Your honour." You tee off first, then the others follow in the order of their scores. In sociable golf this is relaxed; in a stroke play tournament played under Ready Golf rules, the player who is ready may also hit first for the sake of pace, if everyone agrees.
Typical misconception: the honour is a right, not an obligation — and it applies only at the tee. On the fairway, the ball farthest from the hole is always played first, regardless of who won the hole. Anyone who declines the honour out of uncertainty ("you go first, after all I won") turns the logic upside down: it is precisely the winner of the hole who should play first. It is the small distinction that makes golf a sport of good manners.
FAQ
Who has the honour if two players took the same number of strokes on the previous hole?
Then the so-called retained honour applies: the order of the previous hole stands. Whoever teed off first there tees off first again now. On the first hole the draw decides, or in a tournament the starting list.
Does the honour also apply on the fairway or the green?
No, the honour applies exclusively at the tee. After that, the ball farthest from the hole is always played first — no matter who won the previous hole. These two orders are easily confused, yet they follow different logics: distinction at the tee, safety and pace during play.
May I tee off before the honour for the sake of pace?
In stroke play this is allowed under the current rules if all fellow players agree — keyword Ready Golf. The ready player simply hits first, and nobody needs to take offence. In match play, by contrast, you should insist on the honour, because the first good shot builds real tactical pressure.