Below are helpful tips on speed of play. This is a problem all over the world and each golfer has a responsibilty to help his fellow golfers playing at the correct pace.
Helpful Tips for Speed of Play
These tips have nothing to do with rushing your play, but rather with simply being ready to play, and with using common sense and good etiquette on the course.
o Play “Ready Golf” – where order of play is based on who’s ready, not on who’s away
Use the time you spend getting to your ball to think about the next shot – the yardage, the club selection. When you reach your ball you’ll need less time to figure out the shot.
o Look ahead – NOT behind – Keep up
o Take extra clubs – never walk back and forth
o Forget TV golf- line up your shot/putt before your turn to play
Begin reading the green and lining up putts as soon as you reach the green. Don’t wait until it’s your turn to putt to start the process of reading the green. Do it as soon as you reach the green so that when it’s your turn you can step right up and putt.
Don’t bother marking lag putts – go ahead and putt out if it’s short enough and you won’t be trampling on another player’s line.
o Move and park the cart to the (next) tee side of the green
o Get off the green and on to the next tee
When leaving the green and returning to your golf cart, don’t stand there fussing with your putter or other clubs. Get in the cart, drive to the next tee, and then put away your putter.
Likewise, mark your scorecard after reaching the next tee, not while lingering on or near the just-completed green.
o If a ball is lost,
Don’t ask your playing partners to help you search for a lost ball – unless you are absolutely certain there is time for them to do so (e.g., there is no group behind waiting). If the course is crowded, your partners should continue moving forward, not slow things down further by stopping to help your search.
o Leave your cell phone in the car
o If you lose your way – PICK UP! The next hole is a new start
For any information about golf please contact me pro@stfrancislinks.com or 0827643044.
Thinus Keller
PGA Head Golf Professional