If you're asking these questions I'm assuming you're paired up with random people and are not playing these people for cash or in a tournament...

In a fun round I wouldn't worry about situations where people violate rules.  If they ground the club in a bunker, move sticks inside red stakes, take an illegal drop etc... it doesn't really matter, everyone is playing for fun and nobody is going to break the course record.  If they ask you, or ask someone in your group for a ruling or rules help, feel to drop knowledge on them.

As for stepping in a line and other etiquette issues, that's something you could bring up easily.  I'll generally start a conversation by asking how long they've been playing golf for.  More time than not they're newbies, which is great for the game!  Take the opportunity to tell them how long you've played for, how much you like your Titleist gear, and let them know they can ask you questions if they like.  After that, no need to say anything else if they don't take the bait.  99.9% of golfers play for fun and enjoyment.  If they're enjoying themselves and you are too, there's no problem.  

If they're cramping your style and they're new, mention etiquette the next time they're about to violate it.  Something like, "Just so you know, when you start playing more golf some folks get really upset if you step in their line.  Spike marks can actually affect putts..."  They might be grateful, or they might roll their eyes.  If you get the latter, I'd suggest just being cool- is a spike mark really that big of a deal?  If they ruin your day, remember who they are so you can avoid them on the tee sheet next week.

Josh G. could not have said it any better.

Some great points, Josh.  I too agree that it really depends upon the situation.  If these are guys that you know and you are playing for some cash, or if it is in a tournament, the rules really make a difference because it impacts your wallet or yourself and others in the field.  If it is just a game where you get paired up with others, I will follow the rules but if others do not, it is their own business as it really does not impact me.

If you think it is appropriate to bring up your concerns about etiquette, some ways are certainly better than others.  I generally take a soft approach when addressing these situations, something along the lines of ...  you know, I never realized it but a guy once told me that walking in another players' putting line can sometimes leave spike marks and footprints that may impact the line of the putt...

Most of the time I would probably say nothing in a casual game because it is not really a big deal to me.  The suggestion of talking about how long they have been playing the game, etc. could also give you an opening to talk about these things in a non-confrontational manner.

Bottom line, have fun and enjoy yourself out on the golf course.  Personally, I am out on the course to have fun and try not to let things others do get in my way of having a good time.

this is.a very good and diplomatic way to handle this. 

Well said Josh. I have mentioned to a player in my group before about walking in my line. He apologized and we moved on. It was no big deal. Sometimes I think less experienced players don't keep those things in mind.

One of the things that bothers me is a player not fixing their ball mark on the green. I make a point to fix mine and a couple more If I see them.

Gary

Hey, Carl,

Great post.  For me, it's very easy fix as this has happened many times and it all comes down to choice.  If you know those you play with before hand, you'll never have this problem.  If you're paired with strangers, I simply walk away.  Right there.  On the spot.  I don't suffer fools.  I move somewhere else, go to another hole or do something.  Golf is all about enjoyment.  The longer you stew, the more upset you get and it ruins everything.  Zero tolerance for those who don't know the rules of the game.  If it's a tournament, I notify an official or those in charge and don't deal with the person directly or get emotional.  I stop what I'm doing and don't proceed until the situation is remedied.  "Keep your head when all about you..."

Seems to be a two part question - etiquette and rules.

As far as the rules go, if I'm playing with a group for fun (nothing on the line) I'll usually say something after the fact in an "oh by the way" fashion.  I've found that usually the person didn't know they were breaking a rule and appreciates being told in a friendly manner (surprising how many people don't know basic rules).  If I'm in a competitive match, it's a different story.  If I see a rules violation, I will call my competitor on the infraction, but I still try to do it in a friendly manner.

As for etiquette, if it's something that really bothers me (standing in my peripheral vision during a shot/putt, not marking their ball when it's close to my putting line, etc...) I will say something, but I always start it with "would you please...".  Again, usually the person doesn't get upset and they don't repeat whatever they had done.

I worry more about guys not fixing ballmarks and fairway divots than spike marks in my line.  

If your partner made an effort not to step in your line, I think that's good enough.  If it's not a tournament or money game it's a non-issue.  If you really think about it, you'd have to be naive if you believe the group in front of you didn't step all over your line.

Carl this is a great topic..  I'm only chiming in b/c this has happened to me a few times.  I always play with this one buddy and every now and then he invites another friend.  This other friend is a nice guy, fun to talk to but has NO courtesy for the other players in our group.  Zero golf etiquette.   Here are a few things that drives me mental:

1. Doesn't know when it's his turn to hit (furthest back, etc.),
2. If he hits a bad shot he'll put down another ball or two before letting someone else hit
3. On the putting green, no comment and very similar to what you're experiencing
4. Never keeps quiet and worse on the tee.  I'm hard of hearing and i can hear him crystal clear when swing

That's just a few of the things and he's really the only golfer I ever had issues with.  I shouldn't have to say anything since he's a member at the course we're playing at..  I mean, IMO if you're a member at a course you should know the rules and have good etiquette.. 

Now when i play with my buddy i ask him who's our 4some and if i hear his name, i think about it before committing, do i put up with it or back out and play solo. 

I'll admit it does affect my game when i play with him and it's a sad excuse.  I should be able to block that out.  

And I agree with Josh G., it's sad when i don't see players repair the ball mark on the green or replace a fairway divot..  You're just ruining the course. 

In the end I'm just happy and blessed to play this great game.

I remember way back when I first started and played the first really nice course I had ever played. After the round, one member of the foursome remarked about me stepping on his line. My reply was he should mentioned after hole 2 or 3 not after 18. Be mindful, most of us learn golf etiquette and rules from the folks we play with. In my case I am more than happy to take guidance from my foursome.

I used to play with someone that never lost a ball. No matter how far in the woods it went. Those people I just don't play with any longer. I love this game and ty to play with people that respect it as much as I do.

Be polite and say something. The player/players you are with may not know they are doing wrong. Another player (not yourself) if paired with the offender may not be so gracious.  Golfers are a funny breed we have all seen the jokers, the smokers, the drinkers the hotheads. You sound as if you may have been upset but did not let it get to you. you need to speak up for their own sake. Or if it really is getting to you, decline their invitation to play or get another 4th. 

If I'm playing in a tournament, I bring up etiquette when it is ignored.  I feel that should be the 1st thing taught in golf  (even though there are no penalties for ignoring etiquette in stroke play) .... I would hate to hit someone with my golf ball because they chose to wait in front of me, but I would hate more to be charged with involuntary manslaughter just because he/she didn't want to wait for me to hit.

When I am playing a friendly round, and notice someone not replacing the ball where they picked it up, or grounding their club in a hazard, I simply mention that it is illegal in tournament play and can cost them strokes.  Hopefully that makes them aware that there are rules and they might even look into it a little more.

Good post Carl with some good responses.  I say yes to your question, it is good etiquette to point out poor etiquette.  This year I'm playing mostly on public courses and see everything imaginable with regard to bad etiquette.  People don't seem to yell fore or anything else when they hit close to someone, I'll point that out in a hurry.  When I get to a green I pull out my divot tool and repair ball marks, its surprising how many times someone will ask what the tool is, so I tell them, and demonstrate, then inform them why its important to have one.  On the green I'm always watching the other players and if someone is getting close to my line I'll say please don't step in my path.  My grandfather taught me etiquette and he wasn't bashful so neither am I.  My 1st grade and pre-schooler grandson's are learning golf etiquette and are a joy to play with.  I guess that we all need to be teachers and diplomats with good etiquette.

So far as playing by the rules goes, I'll play however others want to play in casual golf.  Competitive golf, thats different and its surprising how many players don't understand OB, where to drop after a splash, not grounding a club at the beach and so on.   If I notice someone not carding the correct score I'll ask if they are sure of their strokes and let it go at that.

Next year I'm back to my old country club where the majority of golfers do have good etiquette, take their game a little more seriously, and have at least a fair understanding of the rules for competitive events.  Four hours, fifteen minutes to play 18, go over and the pro will have a talk with you, in competition a 2 stroke penalty for everyone in a slow group.  That keeps things moving.

I play it by ear.  When it comes to etiquette I'll make a note mentally of the "infraction" and if it happens a second time I'll mention it as nicely as possible.  Most people fix their behavior, some don't (and won't ever).  It's part of the entitlement feeling some people seem to have.  If that's the case and its just a casual round I don't let it bother me.

When it comes to the rules, I generally only play casual rounds so I let people do their thing unless they ask (some do when they notice that I'm doing things they aren't on penalties, etc).