Practicing good habits at the golf course

Have you played behind a slow team lately?  Are you offended by the slow pace of their game?  You are not alone.  Most players do not keep up with the speed of the game.  It is a bad habit, but if we all practice some ethics it can be fixed.  Here are some tips to improve the pace of your game.

  • Play according to your skills.  If you are an average player stick to an appropriate tee.  If you try to challenge yourself beyond your abilities, you are planning for a failure and curtail the players behind you.
  • Keep track of your ball.  Play with the ball you marked with your own insignia.  This helps to move the game without wasting yours as well others precious time.
  • Pay attention to your shot.  If you didn’t know where your ball landed, ask your play partner.
  • Plan your shot.  Walk directly where it landed.  Select the club you are going to use for the next shot and plan ahead the shot while you are walking.

Take a “provisional shot” if your ball landed out of bounds.  This will save you time and a walk back; more specifically stop derogatory comments from the group behind you.