Part 2: Pacing Your Play

Nothing beats a day at the course. However, most golfers would probably say that a 6 hour round might be taking that statement a bit too far.

While all of us enjoy a leisurely game (with perhaps a refreshment or two) and lunch or dinner at the clubhouse to debrief the day's great shots, keeping your pace of play while on the course is as critical as making that up and down on 18 to break 100. From arriving at the clubhouse on time through tallying up the scores after 18, there are a number of rules and courtesies that all golfers should be aware of and follow.

Arrive on Time
If you are anything like I was in my early golfing "career", you would show up at the course 10 minutes past your scheduled tee time, meet your playing partners on the first teebox, take your first swing with no warm-up and spend 10 minutes in the trees looking for your first stroke.

You'll be happy to know that I now give myself plenty of time to get to the course. You should too. Meet your partners in the clubhouse for a handshake or two and determine the mode of play for the day (skins, stroke, teams, etc.). Arriving early also gives you time to practice. It's quite surprising how many golfers don't hit any balls at the range just before their round, but are disappointed by their overall score. Their play is often better on the back nine, only because they have spent the front nine warming up. Why not warm up before your game even starts? Hitting a small bucket of balls before your round can make that first stroke a little more routine and can also get you stretched and warmed up for cooler morning tee times. The same can be said for the practice putting green. Getting a feel for the speed of the greens can be the difference between par and bogie.

Before teeing off, prepare yourself for the round ahead by making sure you have plenty of tees, a couple of sleeves of balls, a scorecard and a sharp pencil. Digging around in your golf bag's pockets for items takes time. Fill your pocket with a couple of tees, a green repair tool and a quarter to mark your ball on the green before teeing it up on #1. Don't forget to carry an extra ball in your pocket as well, as it might come in handy for that water hazard on the backside. Be sure to mark your playing partners names on the scorecard before you start. Preparing for your game prior to your round will save you (and others) time on the course.

The First Tee
When it's time to tee off, the first in your group to hit should have their ball teed up and be ready to swing when the group ahead has reached a safe distance. If the course is busy, it's always okay to let the golfers in your group with shorter drives hit first.

In the Fairway
If the course is extremely busy, it's always nice to see groups playing "ready golf". While the farthest from the pin usually hits first, sometimes other playing partners are ready to play their next shot. "Ready golf" gives these golfers the green light to hit away, regardless of who is officially next to hit and ultimately speeds up your group's play.

On any given day, the group behind might be itching to hit and might get somewhat impatient or even unruly. This can be due to either having less golfers in their group, or the difference in their group's abilities relative to yours. Either way, letting other groups "play through" is a courtesy that all golfers respect. You can be sure you will be generously thanked for your concession.

Par 3's are an excellent hole to allow faster groups to pass you by. After everyone in your group has reached the green, mark your balls, wave on next group ahead and allow them to take their tee shot. Stand off to the side of the green while they hit, both for safety and courtesy. After they have hit their tee shots, regardless of whether they are on the green or not, replace your marked balls and putt out. You can let the group play through on the next tee. It's a great way to maximize everyone's enjoyment on the course, with minimal impact on the time spent waiting for the group to play through.

In the Woods
If you hit into the woods off the tee, tee up another (what's called a provisional ball, in case you can't find your first) after the rest of your group has taken their turn. Give yourself a few minutes to look for your first ball. Can't find it? Let it go and continue play with your second, or provisional, ball. Carry plenty of balls in your bag, just in case.

On the Green
You've just taken your trusty rusty to that perfect lie and knocked it stiff, three feet from the pin. Place your cart or bag in a strategic location nearest the next tee. When you tidy up that 3 foot bird, you can now walk to your bag and right to the next tee without having to cross the putting surface twice and delay the next group from hitting into the green. Mark your score on the way to the next hole and not while on the green itself.

These are just a few simple "common sense" courtesies to keep in mind while at the course. If you have suggestions of your own, feel free to post them in the Pro Scorecard Discussion Forum.