Main causes of slow play

• Golfers being generally unaware
• Not playing ready-golf
• Not reading putts or prepping shots until it is your turn
• Excessively pre-shot routines
• Telling long stories on tee-boxes when you should be hitting the ball
  

• Over complicating green reading
• Arriving at the course last minute and unprepared
• Bringing the wrong club
• Waiting on the away player to hit first
• Course design
• Course management / tee-time intervals

General tips

General:

• Arrive at the course with ample time to unload your car, pay, and get to the tee box
• Get to the course early enough to pay and get to the tee box on time
• Set reasonable expectations; we’re not on the tour, so play accordingly
• PLAY READY GOLF!
  • Ready Golf is, whatever player is ready to hit their ball, hits their ball. This will save a LOT of pointless standing around
• Keep pace with the group IN FRONT of you, not behind
• Be self aware and assess yourself in a group. Don’t assume other people are the issue; assess if you are the slow-player
• If your partner is playing slow, kindly inform them
• Don’t be afraid to pick up your ball and move on. (we’ve all had those holes..)
• Create a REASONABLE pre-shot routine. It is best to have a set routine for consistency, but do so within reason
• Watch your shots until the land, and what your partners shots
• Don’t wait until it’s your turn to plan your shots
  

Tee-box:

• Pull your club and get ready as other are hitting
• Do we really need “honors” anymore? Whoever is at the box first, just hit the ball
• Have your tees and an extra ball to avoid going back to the cart
• Chatting is always fine on a course, but know when to pause your long-winded story
• Watch your tee-shot and watch your partners shots to help find any stray balls
  

Fairways:

• While others in your group are hitting, have your club in your hand and shot planned out
• The away player doesn’t have to hit first. Play Ready Golf
• Get your shot distance while others are hitting
• Unless your ball is DIRECTLY in someone’s line, go to your ball and start prepping your shot
• Going for par-5 in 2: be realistic with yourself

Greens:

• Unsure if you’re on the green? Bring wedge options and your putter
• Don’t wait until it’s your turn to look at your line. Find your line while others are prepping their putts
• Place extra clubs between the pin and your cart or wherever you will exit the green
• The away person doesn’t HAVE to putt first. Play ready golf
• Set reasonable expectation; you’re likely not making that 30 footer. Don’t grind too hard
• Shorten your pre-shot routine. Do you need to walk and crouch from every angle to miss that 3 footer?
• Consider putting with the pin in
• If a group is backed up on the tee-box ahead of you, do NOT play slow. This will have impacts of anyone behind you. Finish your hole, and wait at the next tee if needed
• Do not tally your score on the green, go to the next tee-box
• Fix ball marks! (this isn’t PoP related, but still, keep courses nice)

Tips for walkers

• If you are unable to walk at a pace that doesn’t impede on others, consider riding
• Walk directly to your ball and prepare your shot, unless it is directly in someone’s line
• Start getting your distances as you’re approaching your ball
• Between shots, don’t go out of your way to walk directly next to your partners. You can speak from a small distance
• Place your bag on the side of the green nearest the next tee-box

Tips for Paired Riders:

• Drop one person off at their ball, then go to your ball
• Start walking toward the cart after you hit
• Take multiple clubs when being dropped off at the ball
• Begin planning your shot immediately

Tips for Solo Riders:

• You should have the easiest job, so don’t ruin it!
• Go directly to your ball unless it is directly in harms way
• Drive ahead and help others search for their ball if needed

Tips for Riders during “cart path only:

• Split the difference between balls when parking the cart
• Bring multiple clubs EVERY time
• Possibly take your bag if you don’t know a distance or are in a bad situation that may lead to multiple shots