We Need Your Help To Stop 

Unnecessary Slow Play

 

There is nothing more aggravating than unnecessary slow play, and it is a common courtesy to our fellow golfers to move at a decent pace.  Here are some ideas that don’t offend the rules of golf and will make playing more enjoyable for everyone:  


1Agree on the first tee that your group will play “Ready Golf”.  This eliminates constant apologies for playing out of turn.  Ready golf is now being played at the most prestigious clubs in the country 5Somebody putt when the only person not on the green has skulled his or her ball 5-10 yards over the green.  By waiting, you waste time and you put additional pressure on that player to rush to his or her ball and perhaps skull it again.  
2 The first player to arrive at the tee (if you don’t arrive simultaneously) should go ahead and hit.  Par 3’s could be an exception where some advantage might be gained by watching an opponent.  

6Unless you are in someone’s line, try to putt out.  It wastes a lot of time to mark, to replace your ball, line up your putt again, and then get mentally set to putt.  You will putt better immediately after you have made a stroke and know the speed and line of your putt.  We aren’t playing for million dollar purses in our daily play.

 
3The first player to arrive at his or her ball should play their next shot even though he or she may be ahead of some other player.  We frequently see a player wait several minutes because another player’s ball may be just a few yards away.  Don’t apologize for hitting out of turn—just hit it.   7After you have hit, don’t waste time putting the head cover on and putting your club away—get into the car immediately so your riding partner can go right to his or her ball.  While your partner is getting ready to play, you can return your club to your bag.  
4The same theory should be followed on the putting green when nothing can be gained by watching the line of another’s putt.  There is no reason to wait on a 30 foot putt for someone else who is perhaps 33 feet away on another part of the green. 8Don’t mark your scorecard when it delays play.  Do it when you are waiting for someone to hit.  

 

Finally . . . just use some common sense.  Playing “Ready Golf” is more enjoyable and will make it more fun for everyone.  Examine your own habits and ask yourself, “Am I really playing at a reasonable speed?”

            Don’t say things like, “What’s your hurry?” or “We will just have to wait for the people ahead of us.”  You won’t have to if they are playing “Ready Golf” too.  THANKS!