BMGC Pace of Play Tips

The tips below are good practices that will enhance a golfer’s pace-of-play:

• Watch the shots of other players – Many of us don’t have strong enough vision to see the ball finish on longer shots. The more eyes on the ball, the better.
• Limit Practice Swings – On full shots, either hit the shot without taking a practice swing or incorporate a single practice swing into an efficient pre-shot routine. It’s hard to play a round of golf in 4.5 hours if you take 300 golf swings – and very tiring!
• Be ready for Your Turn - To the extent possible, analyze your next shot or putt while other golfers are playing. For example:
  • If you are not away after hitting your tee shots, move to a location where you can determine the following while you wait for other players: 1) identify the target of your next shot, 2) take your yardage, and 3) select your club.
  • Observe the roll of the ball on the chips and putts of other players.
  • Line up your putt while others are preparing to hit their putts.
• Offer others to play out of turn – If you are having a difficult hole, it might speed play to recommend that others hit while you are recovering from your last shot and preparing for the next one. This can be particularly true with short-game recovery shots.
• Bag/Cart placement - When reaching the green, place your bag or golf cart on the side of the green closest to the next tee. You don’t want to leave your clubs or cart near the front-left portion of the green, if the next tee is closer to the back-right.
• Finish your putts – If you won’t be standing in the lines of other players, putt out the short ones after hitting your first putt instead of marking the ball.
• Clear the green quickly – When your group finishes putting, promptly move to your bag or cart and then on to the next tee.
• Mark scores at the next tee – Move to the next tee prior to recording scores. Other players should be teeing off or preparing to do so while the score keeper is posting in Golf Genius. If the score keeper has the honors, he can enter the scores after hitting his tee shot.
• Conversation – Limit conversations to the periods between shots. A player should never have to wait for the conversation to end before hitting his shot.
• If a playing partner may have a lost ball - Determine whether you should be an initial member of the search party or hit your shot first. It’s often best for one or two golfers to hit their shots first while the other golfers look for the ball. Also, remember that the maximum time allowed for a lost ball search is 3 minutes.
• Keep the headcovers off – If playing in a cart, there’s no need to keep placing the headcovers back on the clubs after each shot. Just leave them in the basket until the end of the round.
• Clean your clubs efficiently - If you’re in a cart, pull up to your partner’s ball and wipe off your club while he’s preparing to hit. If walking, clean the club while you’re walking.