Paul's Pace of Play Pointers

I've watched hundreds of golfers play tournament golf and been driven nuts by some very bad habits which slow down play.  You don't need to play "hurry golf" to have a good pace of play.  Slow pace is usually a result of poor preparation.  A few seconds here and there add up in a hurry.  Here are some good habits to help you learn to keep a good pace of play from tee to green.  Good habits should not make you feel rushed, they should only help you feel ready!

1. TAKE A CLUB TO THE TEEBOX even when you need to check the distance. Distances devices should increase your pace, not slow you down.  Why would you walk to a tee box empty handed?
2. NO HONORS! Get ready and tee off! I say "honor the first guy to the tee."
3. KEEP UP WITH THE GROUP IN FRONT OF YOU.  Focus on keeping pace with the group in front of you. Do not be concerned with the group behind you.  "If you're not being held up, you're holding somebody up!"  Tee times are designed and scheduled so that you are a half a stroke behind the group ahead of you.  
4. PLAY READY GOLF. There is no penalty for playing out of turn in stroke play. If you are ready and your fellow players are not, make eye contact and announce your intention to hit.  I've seen guys waiting on each other for minutes, not sure who is going to hit!
5. KEEP AN EYE ON EACH OTHER’S SHOTS. Help look for lost balls AFTER you have hit your shot. If all four members are looking for the ball at the same time, the group has come to a dead, screeching halt, and you are wasting time!
6. THE CART DRIVER should drive to the first ball and drop off that player with 3 clubs (the one, one less and one more) and hit when safe and ready. (Decide then who’ll hit first).
7. THE SECOND PLAYER should immediately drive to their ball and prepare to hit when safe and ready. (Make eye contact with other players).
8. TAKE YOUR PUTTER with you if your next shot is a wedge or short iron to the green, and tell the driver to go without you. Walk!
9. KNOW WHEN IT’S YOUR TURN TO PUTT.  Somebody call out the order: “Ray, your away, Jack your next, then Gene ...” If you want to check your putt out from both sides, get a look from one side BEFORE it becomes your turn. PUTT CONTINUOUSLY when possible! Don’t mark a 2 footer.
10. NEVER RECORD SCORES AT THE GREEN. Announce your score on the green, walk to your cart, drive to the next tee box, THEN write them down. 

Hopefully these tips will make your next round of golf enjoyable and flow smoothly!