Play Ready Golf

On the Tee Box

The tee box is the first opportunity to set a good pace. Instead of sticking rigidly to the idea of "honors," be more practical.

• Be Prepared: Don’t wait until it’s your turn to get a tee and ball out of your bag. When you arrive at the tee box, get everything ready to go so you can step up as soon as it’s clear.

• Flexible Order: If the person with honors is still getting their driver or finishing writing down their score, and you’re ready, ask if you can go ahead. Often, they’ll be happy to let you.

• Shorter Hitters Go First: On a long par-4 or par-5 where long hitters in your group have to wait for the group ahead to clear the fairway, shorter hitters should be encouraged to hit. Their shots won't reach the group ahead, and it saves valuable time.

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In the Fairway and Rough

This is where ready golf makes the biggest impact on pace of play. The traditional "farthest from the hole plays first" rule can create significant delays. Here’s how to do it differently.

• Go Directly to Your Ball: This seems obvious, but many golfers follow the "cart path" or drift towards their partners' shots. If you can, walk directly to your own ball. This is your first priority.

• Get Your Yardage Immediately: As you approach your ball, get out your rangefinder or check your GPS. Determine the club you need before it's your turn to hit.

• Play When Ready (and Safe): If you’re ready to play and the player farthest from the hole is still searching for their ball or taking a long time, go ahead and hit. A simple verbal cue like, "I'm ready when you are," or, "Okay if I go ahead?" communicates your intention without being pushy. Playing your shot allows other players the time to find their ball or prepare.

Around and on the Putting Green

The green is another pace-of-play killer. Fussy marking, painstaking reads from every angle, and strict adherence to the "farthest-out" rule add up. Ready golf streamlines this.

• Chipping and Pitching: The same fairway principles apply. If you have a straightforward chip and are ready to go, play your shot, even if someone is farther away but dealing with a more complex shot from a bunker.

• Prepare your putt: Instead of waiting for every single player to hit onto the green before you start analyzing your putt, begin your read as you approach the green. By the time it’s your turn, your preparation should be mostly done.

• Promote "Continuous Putting": This is a massive time-saver. If you hit a putt to within a foot or two of the hole, go ahead and tap it in. Don't waste time marking it, cleaning it, and waiting for three other people to putt before you tap in from 18 inches. Simply ask, "Mind if I finish out?" to make sure you're not walking in another player's line.

• The First One Done: Once you've holed out, don’t just stand there. Step off the green, clean your putter, and get ready for the next tee. If a bunker needs raking, the first person to finish can do it while the others are still putting.