How to Improve Pace of Play on the Golf
Course
Trying to improve pace of play on the golf course is something all of us as golfers should take seriously. It’s something we should all work on and do our part to help with the cause. Below are seven ideas on ways we can all help improve the pace of play on the golf course.
Know Your Golf Ability
The easiest way to help improve pace of play is be honest and true with your true golfing ability. There is no reason to wait for the green to clear on a par-5 when you’re 240+ yards away when just hit your drive 240 yards. It’s better and faster to simply layup and have a better chance to keep it in the fairway and make par. By doing this, you keep moving on the hole.
Play Ready Golf
There’s no rule in golf saying you have to play in a particular order. It’s an etiquette thing more than anything else. Discuss it with your playing partners and if you’re ready to hit, then go.
Let the Longer Hitters Drive
This is more of a personal idea that saves lots of time when I am playing golf with my dad. I drive, I drop him off at his tee shot and I proceed to drive up to my ball. By the time he hits behind me and then I hit my shot, he is already in the cart ready to move towards the green.
TEE IT FORWARD
It’s time to suck up your pride and move a set of tees up. It’s okay your buddies will make fun of you for a little bit but remind them they suck as well and should probably move up a set of tees themselves.
Clubhouse and Beverage Cart Stops
Load up your coolers before teeing off #1 is another good way to help improve pace of play on the golf course. Stop trying to hit on the beverage cart girl. Don’t go inside the clubhouse at the turn. These are all simple ways to help the pace of play on the golf course flow smoothly.
Limit Your Time Looking for Lost Golf Balls
If you’re more worried about losing that $4 golf ball, then you’re spending too much money on that $4 golf ball. Spend $25 on golf balls instead and you’ll save money and you’ll also not think twice about losing so many golf balls.
Golf Courses Need to Manage Pace of Play Better
It’s not all the players faults. Golf Courses can do a much better job helping speed up play. They need to set the expectations of golfers at the time of check-in. That way they won’t be so surprised when they are told to speed it up on hold #5.