At Least One Less Minute Per Hole

 

PACE OF PLAY TIPS . . . FOR ALL OF US

If each group could collectively shave at least one minute of time per hole we could all finish at least 18 minutes earlier.   Pace of play starts with each individual player. Therefore, here are just a few of many helpful tips that can help reduce the time it takes to play a round of golf.

 

"Out of Position" Defined:

• "Out of position" group arrives at a the par-3 tee which is clear to play, and all players from the group ahead of them have played their tee shots from the next hole and have arrived at their second shots.
• "Out of position" group reaches the tee for a Par 4 hole and the green is clear.
• "Out of position" group reaches the tee for a Par 5 hole and the group in front has reached the green.

 

In General . . .

 

• Know where your group is in relation to your time or the group in front of you.
• Play ready golf throughout the entire round.
• If walking, walk like an athlete.
• If riding in a cart, be efficient in getting to your ball. 

 

Hitting the ball . . .

• Get your yardage and be ready to play before it is your turn to play.
• If someone isn’t ready to play, another player should play before them.
• When any shot heads toward rough, a water hazard or trees, all players should watch closely as to where the ball lands.
• If you think your ball might be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds, play a provisional ball; it takes 30 seconds to play a provisional, but about 8 minutes to return to previous location and re-hit.

 

At the putting green . . .

• Place your golf bag or park your golf cart near the next teeing ground.
• Read your putt before it is your turn to play.
• Recognize when someone will need the flagstick attended or your ball marked.
• The first person to complete each hole should immediately go to the next tee and is expected to be the first person to tee off. The second person to finish should replace the flagstick.
• Enter scorecard information at the next tee.

 

If your group falls out of position . . .

• If your group gets behind, take the steps necessary as a group to increase your pace.
• Voice the fact your group needs to pick-up the pace.
• Play with more urgency until your group get and maintain proper positioning.
• Address the scorecard at the next tee.
• First player to hole out proceeds to next tee and prepares for tee shot; second player to hole out proceeds to next tee to watch first player hit; third and fourth players hole out and take care of flagstick.

 

“One less minute per hole” is a good start and will make everyone’s round more enjoyable.

PROTECTING THE FIELD - Occasionally, members will ask how best to handle a rules situation with another member of a group who may not be following a respective rule and/or procedure - especially when they do not know the other member.

 

As most know, it is up to each player to protect the field from a rules standpoint.

Our events often come down to only one stroke separating players from those who win prize money and those who do not; in fact, often ties have to be broken.

 

Most of the time, a player's actions not consistent with the rules is because they do not fully know the actual rule and are proceeding based on their level of understanding - which is very common in the game of golf where most players have never opened a rules book. Therefore, in competitions such as club events, we depend on each player to provide rules guidance as they see needed - especially if it is clear the other player is not following the correct procedure.

 

"I don't know the other player and I don't want to cause a problem" is a common statement. Well, it's part of the game. How you broach the subject is just as important as the subject itself.

 

Here are simple tips:

• Before the round starts, the players in your group should agree ahead of time to address any rules issue that arises - this way, nobody feels like "the bad guy."
• Bring up your concern as a question as opposed to a hard accusation. For example, "Are you 100% positive you are following the correct procedure? I'm not sure you are."
• If nobody is 100% certain of the correct procedure, the player should play two balls and let the Committee decide the issue. When playing two balls, the player must - before making a stroke at either ball - 1) announce which ball he wants to count if the rules allow and 2) inform the Committee when turning in the scorecard.
• If a player chooses not to play two balls and you feel they are wrong, it is your responsibility to everyone playing in the event to bring this to the Committee's attention so they can decide the matter.

 

Hopefully, these tips will help. "It takes a village" to play this game - let's help and respect each other.