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Pace of Play
Pace of play can be boiled down to two simple phrases: be prepared and be ready to play. Remember: pace of play isn't about rushing your shots. It's about being ready to take your shot when it's your turn, and behaving efficiently on the course. Here are some suggestions for helping the Pace of Play. Check off the ones you do and practice the others until you can check them all off.
- Be organized. Carry a few extra tees, ball marks and a spare ball in your pockets so you don't have to return to your golf bag to retrieve them, should you find yourself in need of one.
- Mark your golf balls before arriving at the first tee.
- While walking (or riding) to your ball, use the travel time to begin thinking over your next shot - the yardarge, which club you'll use, and so on. Begin preparing before you get to your ball.
- Help teach other players that are slow how to pick up the pace of play.
- Learn as a foursome how to play a par 3 in 12 minutes, a par 4 in 14 minutes, and a par 5 in 16 minutes. This equals 4 hours, 12 minutes.
- Walk at a steady pace.
- Be ready to play when it is your turn. On the green, begin lining up your putt and reading the break as soon as you reach the green. When it's your turn to putt, be prepared to step right up and take the stroke.
- Learn how to play when it is your turn.
- Learn how to play a Second Ball properly – Rule #3-3
When you think your shot might have landed out of bounds or be lost, immediately hit a provisional ball. Don't walk ahead to search, only to have to return to the original spot to replay a shot.
- Stare down wayward shots. (Don’t take your eyes off the ball until it stops.)
- Watch your fellow competitor’s shots.
- Help search for lost balls.
- Carry a rake into the bunker with you.
- If undecided, carry your clubs into the hazard with you-Rule #13-4 Exceptions 1(b).
- Place your golf bag down between the green and the next tee, never in front of the green.
- Continuous putt. (Providing you don’t have to stand in another player’s line.)
- The first person in the group to hole a putt should go directly to the flagstick and be prepared to pick it up and put it in the hole after the last player holes out.
- Record scores while walking to the next tee. Never stand on or next to the green after holing out in order to write down your score.
- Constantly talk to your club pro about rules, situations, relief and the rule #.
- Read the Rules of Golf by the USGA.
- Attend rules clinics and seminars.
Again, remember golf is a game we play by choice. Have fun, make new friends, pay attention to your fellow competitors and your surroundings and enjoy the process of learning from all the changes that take place in tour and tournament golf. You will become a much better player and person by doing this.
- Enjoy your journey!
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