Waiting on a tee box, watching the group ahead take what feels like an eternity, is a universal an experience for any golfer. The infamous five-hour-plus round can drain the fun right out of the game. This isn't just about impatience, slow play stacks up, creating backlogs that ruin the rhythm and enjoyment for everyone on the course. This article will break down the real reasons golf can be so slow and, more importantly, give you practical, coach-approved advice to speed up your own game without rushing or sacrificing your performance.
Pace of play isn't usually a single person's fault. It’s a combination of factors, some within our control and some not. Understanding them is the first step toward fixing the problem. We can group the main causes into two categories: factors related to course setup and, far more commonly, factors related to player habits.
While we love to blame the players ahead, sometimes the golf course itself is setting the stage for a slow day. These elements are largely out of your hands, but they contribute significantly to the overall pace.
This is where we, as golfers, have the most control. More often than not, slow play is the cumulative effect of small, inefficient habits repeated by multiple players over 18 holes. Here are the most common time-wasters and how to fix them.
If you take away only one thing from this article, let it be this: play Ready Golf. The traditional etiquette of waiting for the person "farthest away" to hit is outdated for casual play. Ready Golf is a simple concept that has a huge impact on pace. It means that as long as it is safe to do so, the first person in your group who is ready to hit, hits.
Here’s how to put Ready Golf into action:
Standing over the ball for a minute, waffling between a 6-iron and a 7-iron, is a pace-of-play killer. The same goes for not having a clear plan for the hole. This kind of indecision often stems from a lack of confidence or a poor understanding of course strategy.
The Fix: Think ahead. As you’re walking or driving to your ball, have a target in mind. The goal is to make your decision before you start your pre-shot routine, not during it. If you’re often between clubs, the smarter play is almost always to take the more conservative club and make a smooth swing. Hitting a full 7-iron is usually more reliable than trying to take something off a 6-iron. A smart, committed, but "wrong" club choice is often better than a decent that's struck after hesitating.
Nothing grinds a round to a halt faster than four people scattering into the woods for a five-minute search party. The new Rules of Golf have helped by reducing the search time to three minutes.
The Fixes:
Are you the player who starts searching for a tee and a ball only when you get to the tee box? Or the one who walks all the way to the putting green only to realize your wedge is back at the cart? These minor moments of unpreparedness add up.
The Fixes:
The 18th hole is the finish line, but for some groups, the green is where the conversation and scorecard calculations begin. Socializing is a huge part of golf, but there's a time and a place for it.
The Fix: When you finish a hole, immediately walk off the green. Head to the next tee box, and while you're waiting for the group ahead to clear, then you can mark your scores, grab a drink, and share the story of that heroic bogey save. Keeping the green clear is a fundamental courtesy to the group behind you.
You don't need to run between shots to play faster. Playing golf at a brisk, enjoyable pace is about being efficient, prepared, and mindful. Here’s a quick summary of the path to a sub-4-hour round:
By adopting these habits, you won't just be helping the entire course - you'll likely find your own game improves. Playing with a better rhythm and less downtime helps you stay focused and confident from the first tee to the final putt.
Slow play is a shared problem, but the solution starts with our individual habits. By simply embracing ready golf, being prepared for each shot, and making smarter decisions, we can shave significant time off our rounds, making golf more enjoyable for everyone involved. It’s not about rushing, it’s about playing efficiently.
A lot of on-course delays come from indecision, which is a major confidence-killer. When you're standing over the ball for a minute trying to choose a club or figure out an approach, you're not just slowing down your group, you're often getting in your own head. This is actually why we created Caddie AI. I'm here to act as your personal course strategist so you can get a smart, clear plan in seconds. Snap a picture of a tricky lie or describe a hole, and I’ll give you a recommendation so you can commit to your shot faster and swing with more confidence. That way, you can keep your game - and your group - moving smoothly.
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Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
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