PACE of PLAY - Tips to Play More Efficiently

In the rules of golf, there is a section on the player’s responsibility for pace of play – “Unreasonable Delay; Prompt Pace of Play” (Rule 5.6). We all have heard the term “Pace of Play”, but what isn’t obvious are ways to play more efficiently on the course.

The following tips have nothing to do with your skill set. It has more to do with being efficient and using your own common sense.

• Park your cart behind the green so as you are exiting, the folks playing behind you may start their pre-shot routine.

• Go to the next hole to record scores for the hole just played. Again, this will allow the folks behind you begin their pre-shot routine.

• Place your clubs on or near the green where you are most likely to exit after putting out. This will achieve two things: a. you won’t have to go back across the green to retrieve your clubs and, b. you won’t forget clubs requiring you to return to the green to retrieve them.

• If you are sharing a cart, after you hit your shot, drive to your partner’s ball, and return your clubs to your bag when your partner pulls her club out to take her shot.

• Be kind and thoughtful; if you are on the green waiting for a player to come out of a bunker, offer to rake especially if she will need to take additional strokes. We’ve all been there!

• Help with searches. If necessary, play your ball first before assisting with the search.

• If you are “out of position" after 2 players have putted out, those 2 should get in a cart and drive to the next hole and tee off. There is nothing in the rules which state that everyone must watch the others putt out.

• If you are the first one to complete the hole, manage the flag stick for the group.

• Take your distance measurements while you are waiting; carry several clubs to your ball if you are unsure of which you will use. This will save time returning to your cart for another club especially if the “cart path only” policy is in place.

• For our rounds which are NOT TOURNAMENT/COMPETITION, please pick up when you have reached Net Double Bogey (Par for hole + 2 strokes + handicap strokes for the hole). Picking up will save your energy and dignity for the next hole. Record with an asterisk (*) or an (x) a score you most likely would have gotten.

• FINALLY, (and this is what my rules official friend often jokes about), minimize the chit chat; there’s nothing wrong with conversation except when it delays or interferes with play. If someone is talking that means someone is listening which also means that most likely neither one is focusing on playing ready golf.