Practices for Improving the Pace of Play Many of our members have already incorporated the following ideas into their game; however,there are some who may be reluctant to do so for fear of breaching a rule or golf etiquette. The following best practices are presented as a guideline for achieving an acceptable balance between the pace of play, etiquette and rules.
If you cannot see the players ahead of you, you are behind. It’s time to play faster.
Common sources of slow play are: • Joining a ball search before playing your ball • Waiting to play or putt while another player rakes a bunker and they are still away • Waiting to begin reading your putt or measuring distances until it is your turn to play • Writing your scores down before going to the next tee • Marking that tap in putt rather than finishing it so you can head to the next hole • Failing to park your cart behind the hole • Not watching your companions’ ball to aid in finding the errant stroke • Taking more than twenty seconds to make a stroke
1. The Rules require that a player be able to identify the ball they are playing. Always mark your ball to allow you to distinguish it from those of your playing companions or other random balls you might find. Playing a Wrong Ball is a two-stroke penalty and you are DQ’d if you tee off on the next hole without correcting this error.
2. Waiting for someone who is “away” to play is not necessary. If you can safely play, do it.
3. Pick up your ball after you have made the “Net Double Bogey” maximum number of strokes, if this does not interfere with the game of the day.
4. Know the Rules for common problems on the course; like the relief options for Penalty Areas, Immovable Obstructions such as cart path, and Ball Lost or OB.
5. It’s always appropriate for a fellow golfer to suggest “We need to pick it up because we are behind”. Don’t be offended.
6. Be ready to help other players out by moving their cart for them, raking the Bunker or fixing ball marks on the Green.