Pace of Play

Whilst everyone will have different views on what is considered acceptable pace of play, we acknowledge that slow play can detract from the enjoyment of the game for many golfers.

We believe there are solutions available that can improve the situation from the course set up to management of play, to the induvial players. We are always monitoring how the course set up can play it’s part, and new directional signage was installed in 2021.

Below are some possible solutions for players we would like to share with you, which when actioned will demonstrate good etiquette.

Being ready to play

While taking care not to distract other players or compromise safety, players should do the following while waiting for others to play:

• Walk efficiently to the ball putting their glove on in the process
• Assess the shot, including any calculation of distance the player wants to make, or line up the putt, and
• Make a decision on club selection

Position on the course

• Be aware of your position on the course and how you are impacting other groups
• Keep up with the group in front
• If ground has been lost on the group in front, all players in the group should take responsibility for making up that ground as quickly as possible
• If you cannot keep your position and you are delaying the group behind, invite the group behind to play through. Although this will add time to your game, it will improve your enjoyment as you won’t be constantly pressured and it will improve the enjoyment for the group invited to play through

Throughout the round

• Play a provisional if you have any feeling that your ball may be lost (remember to advise your playing partners that you are “playing a provisional” in case you can’t find your first ball)
• All players in a group make a conscious effort to watch each other’s shots and their own shots as often as possible. This will result in less searching time and fewer lost balls
• Maximum 40 seconds to play your shot – usually less time is needed
• Maximum 3 mins to look for ball
• Leave bags on the side of the green closest to the next tee for a swift exit enabling the group behind to play to the green

Play “Ready Golf”

“Ready golf” is recommended for strokeplay (not match play).

In stroke play, you are allowed and encouraged to play out of turn in a safe and responsible way, such as when:

• You agree with another player to do so for convenience or to save time,
• Your ball comes to rest a very short distance from the hole and you wish to hole out, or
• You are ready and able to play before another player whose turn it is to play under the normal order of play, so long as in playing out of turn you do not endanger, distract or interfere with any other player.

But if the player whose turn it is to play is ready and able to play and indicates that they want to play first, you should generally wait until that player has played.

Helping each other out

Golfers can also help each other, by advising others on steps they can take, if it has been noticed that things are taking longer than they should. Likewise, if golfers think they may be playing slow, they can ask for advise on how to improve. This can all be done without confrontation.

We hope you have found this helpful, should you have been unsure about pace of play etiquette.