Golf Management
on the Go
Teachable Moments
#48
Ready Play
Slow play is one of the top complaints by golfers. To maintain an appropriate pace of play
the golf professional staff must educate and encourage all golfers to practice “Ready Play”
techniques to avoid slow play.
Some suggestions to maintain the pace of play include:
 Be ready to play at your scheduled tee time. Late arriving groups will jam up play or
cause reassignment of tee times.
 Anticipate your club or the clubs you may need and go to directly to your ball.
 Be near your ball and play promptly when it is your turn.
 If a player is delayed in making a shot, he or she should indicate to other players to play
their shots. This will not be deemed playing out of turn.
 The time required to hole out around the green is a chief cause of slow play. Study and
clear the line of your putt while others are doing the same. Be ready to putt when it is
your turn.
 It’s great to be sociable, but reserve extended conversations for the clubhouse.
 When approaching a green, park your cart on the cart path on the best direct line to the
next tee. Never leave the golf cart in front of the green where you will have to go back
to get it while following players wait for you to move out of the way.
 When play of a hole is completed, leave the green promptly and proceed to the next tee
without delay. Do the scoring for the completed hole while the others in your group are
playing from the next tee.
 If you are not holding your place on the course, allow the players behind to play
through. Do the same if you stop to search for a lost ball.
 Pick up your ball after the number of strokes allotted by the USGA has been taken. For
more information, speak with the golf professional staff.
 During periods of heavy play, the golf operations staff will be on the course to assist in
maintaining the speed of play.
 All golfers are encouraged to follow these simple suggestions to maintain the pace of
play and enhance everyone’s enjoyment of the course.
Take Away: All golfers must be encouraged to maintain an appropriate pace of play for the
course. This can be done by educating golfers on “Ready Play” techniques
© 2012 – Club Resources International