Slow play on the golf course is golf’s biggest threat. So how long should it take your foursome to play a round of golf? The Hammond Creek Golf Club tracked average playing time of golfers by month for over two years. The average time for a foursome at that course was four hours and eleven seconds. That’s about the average time at most courses. But many rounds still take as long as six hours to play. That’s way too long.
Slow play sucks the joy out of the game. It also hurts scores. In fact, no research shows that slow play improves scores. It probably does the opposite. Playing faster, on the other hand, speeds up the round, allows you to enjoy the game more, and helps you achieve and maintain a nice rhythm, which improves golf scores—and to some degree golf handicaps.
Yet, many golfers still take all their time playing a round of golf. That’s upsetting for many golfers. If your foursome plays slowly, try using the seven golf tips we describe below the next time out. They’re guaranteed to speed up the pace of play and boost enjoyment of the game:
Forget about honors — When my foursome stopped waiting for players with honors to hit, it sped up our play dramatically. If you’re ready to hit, hit—even if it’s not your turn. Just make sure no one is in front of you when you You’ll be surprised how much time you’ll save playing “ready golf.”
Avoid one-club swaps — Here’s another trick to speed up play: Always pull a club while replacing another. For instance, keep your driver in your hands until you arrive at your next shot, then pull your approach club out and replace it with the driver. Or, keep your putter in your hands as you go to the next tee until you pull your driver out. This golf tip is simple to execute and saves a ton of time.
Play the forward tees — Does playing the blue tees force you to hit 5-iron or longer into a par-4 hole? If it does, trying moving up to the white tees. This golf tip not only leaves you a shorter approach shot but also saves time, since you’ll hit more greens in regulation. That means you get to putt sooner, pushing play along. If you’re an average weekend golfer, consider playing the forward tees.
Combine similar type players — If your foursome is like many others, you have players who will play from different tees. Your better players play from the back tees, while your average players play from the forward tees. Makes sure forward tee players ride with forward tee players and back tee players with back tee players. Saves time driving all over the place.
Hit your ball first — Some weekend golfers spend a lot of time searching for balls, especially in the fall. Fallen leaves and high grass can make it hard to find a ball. But looking for lost golf balls is common in golf. Instead of helping another player look for his ball first, play yours first. Then help the other golfer find his ball. By that time, the other player may have found his ball, so you won’t have to look for it—or held up play.>
Check your time — Check your watch at the first tee. Then check it again every three holes. For some reason, this activity speeds up play. And don’t wait for dawdlers. They’ll speed up play if you do. Also, if you can afford to get a range finder, get one. It eliminates the need to walk off yardage.
Let players prepare — Try to avoid interfering with a player’s preparation before hitting. For example, telling jokes and stories increases the fun of playing golf. But wait until after the players tee off, so you don’t interrupt a player’s preparation. Also, if a beverage cart is approaching, wave it over to where your ball lies. Order after you hit your ball.
Slow play is golf’s biggest threat. To keep the game healthy and growing, everyone needs to look for ways to cut playing time. Our seven golf tips shaves playing time from a round of golf without rushing shots. That, in turn, speeds play, which should improve scores and golf handicaps. Plus, it increases the fun of playing the game.
