TIPS FOR PLAYING QUICKLY
To be clear, a quick pace does not mean you should rush your shots or run to your ball. We all enjoy golf for its social elements, plus giving each shot an appropriate amount of attention is crucial to playing well. Regardless of our handicaps, there are things each of us can do to speed up play. If we give and receive friendly reminders, we can finish in accordance with WGA Standing Rule 21 and USGA Rule 5.6.
Simply put, seconds become minutes and minutes add up very quickly.
1. Play ready golf. (Silence your cell phone. Don’t talk or whisper while someone is hitting.)
2. Be ready for your shot. When possible, determine your yardage and club selection while someone else is hitting.
3. As soon as you’ve hit, your cart partner can drive to her nearby ball and you can walk to the cart, or she can walk to her ball with clubs while you get in the cart and drive to pick her up.
4. For longer drives, get in the cart with your club, cleaning it at the next stop while your partner is hitting.
5. Leave the driver head cover and covers for other clubs that don’t bang against each other in your car.
6. Limit the practice swings.
7. Be aware of the time listed on the scorecard to finish each hole. If you are behind, take responsibility to do what you can to speed up play.
8. Watch other players’ shots, especially on the tee box.
9. Hit a provisional. Search no more than 3 minutes for an OB or lost ball.
10. Skip using the range finder for par 3 yardages you know and for short pitch/chip shots.
11. Park at the back of the green before you putt. Try to avoid walking backwards to the cart or your clubs.
12. Move your clubs with you, placing them in a spot near the walk to the cart.
13. Putt continuously until ball is holed. Don’t mark a 2-footer.
14. Pick up according to the WGA 18-Hole Schedule.
15. Quickly exit the green, getting in the cart with your clubs. Put them away when you pull your driver out at the next tee box.
16. Announce your gross score, but WRITE THEM DOWN AT THE NEXT TEE BOX.
17. Whoever is not keeping score should get out quickly to hit.
18. Players in the first cart should be ready to play first.
19. When it’s cart path only, take more than one club with you, and walk to the next shot as the cart is moved ahead.
20. Move away from the 18th green, then write your finishing time, scores and signatures on the scorecard.
21. Share your stories and jokes over a beverage after the round.
Don’t forget to have fun! It’s only a game; an escape. Be kind, and remember how lucky we are to live in HSV.