TICK TOCK PACE OF PLAY (ON-COURSE BEST PRACTICES)

written by: Megan Younkman, LPGA Class A Teaching Professional

(Photo Credit: TheOneBeardedGolfer.com)

SLOW PLAY is one of golf’s major challenges. Slow play is spreading like the plague at most courses where a few slow players are taking the enjoyment out of the game for many. In most instances, simple consideration for others, awareness of course management and basic golf etiquette can help overcome most “time wasting” situations. Remember, you don’t have to be good at golf, but you do need to keep up on the golf course. Here are a few PACE OF PLAY tips:

• Arrive 30 minutes before scheduled tee time.
• Warm-up prior to arriving at the tee-box.
• Be prepared to play as soon as the group in front of you is safely out of your range. Plan your shot while waiting.
• Move swiftly to your next shot so you can take your time on the next.
• Pace yourself. Always keep up with the group in front of you, not ‘ahead’ of the group behind you. Wave faster groups to play through.
• Always play a provisional ball if you hit a shot that may be out of bounds.
• New golfers can pick up or start closer to the hole - not keeping score keeps learning fun!
• When on the green, or when you have a short approach shot to the green, park your golf cart between the green and the next hole taking all short game clubs with you.
• Leave the green immediately when play is completed, and mark your scorecard at the next tee box.
• While putting, the first player to hole out is responsible for replacing the flagstick after every group member has finished.
• Repair ball marks on the green, replace or sand divots, and read your line of putt while others are putting on the green.
• The first person to putt out is the person in charge of replacing the flagstick. If it is you, be ready!
• Gab with your playing partners in-between shots, not during.
• Remember, the practice tee is the only place to give or take a lesson.
• If you did not bring your best swing with you on the day of play, you won’t find it by taking 5 practice swings. One practice swing and go! Irish Golfer Magazine reported “Less time at address resulted in 16% fewer putts per round and a 20% increase of greens hit in regulation on Par 5 holes”.

All golfers, including new golfers, can keep a good PACE OF PLAY! Listen to the Course Ranger (The Course Ranger is the on course employee in charge of keeping pace of play for the day - they mean well). If your group is playing slow, your group should play the READY GOLF format of play (each player plays when ready instead of the traditional format of “player away goes first”). In the event your group is keeping good pace - have the ranger send over the beverage cart…and keep enjoying your day!
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