Date posted: 4th April 2017
 
Pace of play

Did you know?

If each player in a four-ball takes 5 seconds less to play each shot, the round time can be improved by over 25 minutes.

Player responsibilities

Very few golfers would admit to being slow players but we can all do our bit to play a little bit faster.

Be ready to play

  • While you are waiting to play, use your time wisely so when it is your turn you are ready to play.
  • When it is your turn to play, play promptly.
  • Consider your pre-shot routine - saving even a few seconds will help.
  • When play of a hole has been completed, leave the putting green quickly.
  • Play at a good pace
  • Keep up with the group in front.
  • Invite the group behind to play through if appropriate.
  • Play a provisional ball to save time if you think your ball may be lost.

Ready Golf has been introduced. We would encourage all to use it!

Simply put, "ready golf" means that each golfer within a group hits when ready.

If you reach your ball and are ready to hit, while other members of your group are not yet prepared, then go ahead and hit - even if you are not furthest away – provided it is safe to do so.

Examples of Ready Golf include:

  • Hitting a shot when safe to do so if a player farther away faces a challenging shot and is taking time to assess their options.
  • Shorter hitters playing first from the tee or fairway if longer hitters have to wait.
  • Hitting a tee shot if the person with the honour is delayed in being ready to play.
  • Hitting a shot before helping someone to look for a lost ball.
  • Putting out even if it means standing close to someone else’s line.
  • Hitting a shot if a person who has just played from a greenside bunker is still farthest from the hole but is delayed due to raking the bunker.
  • When a player’s ball has gone over the back of a green, any player closer to the hole but chipping from the front of the green should play while the other player is having to walk to their ball and assess their shot.
  • Marking scores upon immediate arrival at the next tee, except that the first player to tee off marks their card immediately after teeing off

The R&A provide information on Pace of Play, some of which we have included above. You can find out more here.

You may also like to listen to a recent GUI Podcast April Episode which includes a feature interview on Pace of Play.

Kind Regards
The Men's Committee