Speeding Up Play

SPEEDING UP PLAY

Complaints about slow play are often raised, some justified some are not, golf should not be a rushed game but on the other hand it should be a game that flows, and to ensure it flows there are some simple guidelines that can help.  

Speeding up play does not mean rushing. It means being ready to play, not playing when you are ready!

Speeding up your pre-shot routine

·         Remove excessive time from your pre-shot routine. Don’t take a dozen practice swings or half a dozen waggles. An excessive routine is also counter-productive, as it introduces anxiety.

Speeding up on the tee

·         If you have the honour, hit your shot before marking your card. Mark your card while the others in your group are teeing off.

·         The player with the honour should also be ready to hit first. If they aren’t ready, then someone else should hit first if they are able to. Don’t stand around insisting on following the honour if someone is not ready.

Speeding up on the fairway

·         Walk at a pace that is comfortable but don’t dawdle

·         Providing it is safe, go to your ball as soon as possible and get ready to play your shot. Don’t be a ‘caravan’ going down the fairway from ball to ball. The only time players should stop in a group and wait for a player to hit is if it is unsafe to go further forward.

·         While waiting to hit, think about your shot, select your club, take it from your bag, and stand at your ball ready to play.

Speeding up around the green

·         Always leave buggies at the back or side of the green, closest to the next tee.

·         If someone is in a bunker and hits it furthest from the hole, don’t stand around watching while they rake the bunker and get to their ball. Someone else should putt until the player is ready.

·         Get ready to putt before it is your turn. Provided you are not disturbing another player, line up your putt while others are putting.

·         If you are not interfering with another player’s line, putt out. If you are, mark your ball, but when it is your turn again, be ready!

Speeding up lost balls

·         Make use of provisional balls. Nothing wastes time more than a player

trudging back to the pin.

·         Everyone should help find a lost ball in order to keep play moving. But the player who is closest to the pin should be the first to help the player whose ball is lost, while the players who are further away from the pin should play their shots if they can. When the players furthest away have played their shots, they resume looking, while the players who are closest get ready to play their shots. In this way, slow play is not compounded because of a lost ball.

It is your task as a ready golfer to keep up with the group ahead.