[Eracer]

All the advice given so far is good.

I would add that you need to learn etiquette on the course. Some people say that you shouldn't even try to play on a course until you have spent a lot of time on the range learning to hit the ball. I agree to a certain extent. There is no point in playing a complete round of golf until you can make decent swings. When you do feel comfortable enough to play a full round, recognize that you are sharing the course with a lot of other golfers, most of whom will be much better that you. It's going to be tough for you to not feel pressured in that situation. But there are things you can do to make yourself less of a burden.

Take your time (within reason - about 20 to 30 seconds is OK) when you are getting ready to hit a shot, but hurry to the next one.

If you are driving a cart, learn how to manage it. Position the cart next to, or ahead of your ball at all times, especially when you are on the green. I see people leaving their carts 30 yards from the green (at the spot of their last wedge shot) and walking up to the green with putter in hand. Instead, you should hit the wedge, then drive your cart to the spot next to the green that is closest to the next hole, and only then take you putter to your ball. Or they leave their cart on the cart path when it's not required, and walk forty yards to their ball. Or if it is required, such as when the course has gotten a lot of rain and the fairways would get damaged if carts were driven on them, people take only one club to their ball, realize when they get there that it's the wrong club, walk all the way back to the cart to get another club, etc. Take two or three clubs with you in that situation.

Respect other people when it is their turn to play. Don't move around or make noise.

Don't EVER give people swing advice on the course. As you learn the swing, you will have moments of great revelation that you will want to share with others. Don't. Save it for this forum, where you have golfers who want to hear about it.

You should pick your ball up after you've reached double par score on any hole. Do this for a while. There is nothing more frustrating to the golfers behind you than waiting for you to make your 14th stroke on a par three hole.

Don't hit your ball until the golfers ahead of you are COMPLETELY clear of a potential mis-hit, even if the mis-hit is a great shot. And if you do accidently hit a ball towards other golfers (and you will...) and it looks like it might get anywhere near them, yell "FORE" as quickly and as loudly as you can.

For a while, try to play only when the course is not crowded.

Let faster players play through if you can't keep up with the group ahead. But frankly speaking, there's no reason you can't keep up if you manage yourself properly by following the advice above. If it happens, and you find yourself lagging behind the group ahead, let the group behind you go through.

Repair your fairway divots. Fill them with sand if available, or replace the divot if there is no sand. Carry a ball mark repair tool. Learn how to use it properly, and use it always. Repair any ball marks on the green that you make, and repair one other if possible.

There are a lot of other etiquette rules. There are a lot of people who've never bothered to learn any. You will find that you enjoy the game a lot more if you can learn to set a high standard.