Golf Winner: Play Golf Faster, Without Hurrying

How To Play Golf

Golf is a game of courtesy. It is the only sport where principles of etiquette are included in the rule book. Good manners are built on thinking of other people, and one of the most courteous things you can do for your playing partners and all the golfers behind you is to keep the game moving. On the tee, if you have the honor, be ready to hit right away. Keep some tees in your pocket and take only a few seconds to decide which club you're going to use. If someone in your group has the honor but is not ready and you are, ask if you can go ahead. When you're next to hit, be standing beside the tee box ready to go.

From the fairway, respect the privilege of the player who is away to hit next, but if they are unable to hit or are clearly not ready, go ahead and hit if you are.

When it's your turn, picking your shot, picking your club, aligning yourself, and stepping up to the ball shouldn't take more than fifteen seconds. Try timing yourself with a watch. Take one practice swing, step up to the ball, and swing. Whatever you're doing if you stand over the ball for a long time before you swing doesn't really help and makes everybody impatient with you.

Keep an extra ball in your pocket. If you need to put it in play, you can do so without having to go to your bag. And regarding your bag, know where everything is - balls, tees, whatever you might need. Have you ever played with someone who has to sort through their clubs to find their 6-iron? When you get to the green, leave your bag or cart on the side of the hole closest to the next tee. On the green, it should only take a few seconds to pick your line. Unless you're a professional-caliber putter, you're playing to get your first putt close, not in, and the extra time you spend is of little value. After you hit your first putt, putt out if you can do so without being in anyone else's way.

After everyone has holed out, your group should leave the green immediately. If your group has fallen behind the one in front of you, you can start catching up by having the first two players to hole out to go to the next tee and be teeing off while the other two finish putting.

Doing your part to maintain a steady pace makes you a popular playing partner by contributing to the positive playing environment that everyone wants to have.

What do you do if there is a turtle in your group? Be creative, but kind. I keep a paperback book in my bag. When someone is taking forever to play, I take out the book and start reading. They get the hint.