"In this day of man's greatest speed, he has produced his slowest golf."

Why?

Some may even say, "Why hurry, I've paid my dues and am entitled to play
at a pace that is comfortable to me. It is my right."
As the saying goes "Your right ends where the other fellows nose begins!"

How long should it take to play 9 holes? As a rule of thumb, it should
not take 4 players more than 12.5 minutes to play a 440 yard par 4 hole.
Of this, no more than 5 minutes should be for play around the green.

For 9 holes this is slightly less than 2 hours. This should be regarded
as an upper limit. Next time out, time your group. How well are you
doing against the standard? If you are exceeding it, what can you do
short of running to your ball between shots, to speed up play? PLENTY!

1. On the putting green:

   • Leave your bag or cart on the side of the green facing the next tee.

   • Do not mark balls on the green unless they would interfere with
     another players shot.

   • If the flag must be attended, the player who would be last to play
     should do the attending.

   • When the flag is removed, you do not need to take it all the way
     to the tee, just out of everyone's line is good enough!

   • Line up your putt while others are playing. It is NOT discourteous to
     do this, as some may think. In fact, it is more courteous to do so, since
     then you will be ready to play without delay and nobody will be waiting for you.
     Follow this not only for your first putt,
     but also for your second, etc!!!!!!!!

   • Limit yourself to one or two practice strokes at most.

   • Putt out when feasible instead of marking and lifting your ball.

   • If your ball is within tap in range, TAP IT IN rather than marking it!

   • Do your lamenting over missed putts on the next tee instead of on
     the green and needlessly delaying everyone else.

   • As soon as everyone has holed out, immediately replace the flag
     and move to the next tee. Discuss and record your scores at the
     next tee, NOT on or around the green.

2. In the fairway and on the tee:

   • Select your club and size up your shot while others are playing.

   • Know when it is your turn, and play without delay when it is your
     turn. There should be only 10 or 20 seconds between consecutive
     players striking the ball. This may not seem like much time, but
     if you are ready to play, it is plenty of time.

   • Limit yourself to one practice swing at most.

   • If your shot should go off the fairway, take special care to line it up
     with trees or other objects so as to expedite the process of finding it.

   • Never take practice swings after hitting a shot. As soon as it is
     safe to move, go directly to your ball.

   • If the group ahead is more than 1 clear hole ahead, and a group is
     consistently waiting behind you, let them through.

   • When searching for a ball, If the group behind is waiting for you
     let them through while you continue searching.

   • On par 3's where so designated, once your group is on the green, and
     if the following group is waiting to play, allow the following
     group to hit before putting out. If possible, stand behind a tree or
     other obstacle, or otherwise well back and off to one side while waiting.

   • When using or sharing a golf cart, park as near your ball as allowed
     and take a few clubs with you to speed up club selection.

   • For shots over water, or with out of bounds, take a second ball with
     you just in case the first one goes astray. In fact, always have
     a second ball with you just in case you need it.

   • Play a provisional ball if you think your shot may be out of bounds
     or lost outside of a hazard.

   • Never take, or try to give a golf lesson while on the course!

   • Do not be engaged in idle chatter when it is your turn to play.

   • Do not spend time seeking advice or analyzing your swing after a
     bad shot. It happens to the best golfers. Accept it and move on
     without delay. Resolve to do better next time.

Twelve Simple Rules to Speed Play

1. Play ready golf.

2. Be alert to your group position. One or two players may be slow, but
   the pace of play is the responsibility of everyone in the group.
   Maintain the position of being immediately behind the group on front of you.

3. Always carry an extra ball properly marked as an extra ball to
   be used as a provisional ball when needed

4. Make a conscious effort to watch everyone's ball.
   Line it up with a rock, bush, tree, etc., to reduce search time.

5. Park carts behind the green for efficiently moving to the next tee.

6. Do not mark score card until on the next tee.

7. Take the correct club(s) to the ball for the next shot.

8. Wait until arriving at the next shot or hole or while partner
   is playing the ball to clean and/or put clubs back in the bag.

9. Line up your putt when others are putting or preparing to putt.
   First person to putt out be ready to replace the flagstick.

10. Plan your shot while walking up to the ball or while others are playing

11. Don't step off yardage for every shot. Develop an "eye" for distance.

12. If it appears you will not be able to putt out in under 10
    stokes, pick up your ball and mark your score "p".

Questions or comments on this page... E-Mail to: jackstanton99@juno.com