Rules 04
Pace of play & ready golf
The single most appreciated skill of a new golfer: keeping up — here's how, without rushing your swing.
1 min read
Nobody on the course cares how well you play — but they care a lot about pace. Keeping up is the fastest way to be welcome anywhere, and it has almost nothing to do with your swing.
Ready golf
The old etiquette said the player farthest from the hole goes first. Modern guidance is "ready golf": if you're ready and it's safe, hit. It keeps the group flowing without anyone standing around.
Simple pace habits
- Be ready when it's your turn — pick your club and read your shot while others play.
- Keep up with the group ahead, not just ahead of the group behind.
- Limit the search. You get three minutes to look for a ball; after that it's lost.
- Park smart. Leave your bag or cart on the side toward the next tee.
- Putt out when you can, rather than re-marking little tap-ins.
Let them through
If your group falls behind and there's space ahead, wave the faster group behind you to play through. It's normal, gracious, and instantly relaxing.
You'll hear
You must always wait and play in strict order, farthest ball first.
What's true
Ready golf is now encouraged at almost every level. Play when you're ready and safe — strict order mostly just slows everyone down.
Key takeaways
- Keeping pace matters more to others than how you play.
- Play 'ready golf' — hit when ready and safe.
- Three-minute limit to search for a lost ball.
- Stay with the group ahead, and wave faster groups through.
Sources