The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Golf etiquette (slow play) Etiquette is a word that's often heard in relation to golf, more so than with any other sport. But it's not just about manners. The rules of golf etiquette are what they are for several important reasons: many of them relate to the safety of golfers, to the pace of play (which helps keep the game more enjoyable), and other rules relate to maintaining the integrity of the golf course. Today's topic of discussion will be golf etiquette relating to the pace of play. There is nothing worse for a golfer than to have to sit and wait for a slow group ahead of them. It puts tension on the group waiting, as well as the group ahead, as they then feel as if they're being rushed. Please read the following rules of golf etiquette pertaining to pace of play. If they are followed by everyone on the golf course, there would never be another complaint of slow pace. Keep the round moving by being prepared to hit your shot when it's your turn. You don't like waiting so don't make other groups wait. The player who is away always hits first in a group. However, in friendly matches (as opposed to tournament play) this rule can be ignored in favor of "ready play" - players hit as they are ready. All players should agree to ready play before it is put into effect. Don't spend too much time looking for a lost ball, particularily if there is a group behind you ready to play. If you insist on taking the full five minutes allotted to look for a lost ball, golf etiquette says wave up the group behind you. Always try to keep pace with the group ahead of you. If space opens up ahead of you, allow a faster group to play through. When players in a cart hit to opposite sides of the fairway, drive to the first ball and drop off that player with a club, then drive to the second ball. After both players hit, meet up farther down the hole. when walking from your cart to your club, take a couple of clubs. walking back to your cart to retrieve a different club is a huge time waster. Always leave the putting green as soon as your group has finished putting. Use the time you spend getting to your ball to think about your next shot - the yardage, club selection. When you reach your ball, you'll need less time to figure the shot out. Begin reading the greens and lining up your putt as soon as you reach the green. Don't wait until it's your turn to putt before you start the process of reading the green. Do it as soon as you reach the green so when it's your turn you can step right up and putt. Never delay a stroke because your having a conversation with your partner. Put your conversation on hold, make your stroke, then pick up the conversation again.
