Read the article below and then click on the "Ready Golf" image below for more information

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Are You Playing Ready Golf?

'Slow Play' is without doubt one of the biggest frustrations on the golf course.

There are many contributing factors that cause slow play but playing Ready Golf is one of the best ways of combating it.

Ready Golf offers a great way to speed up the game, without impacting heavily on the rules and integrity of the sport.

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If you can save just 2 minutes per hole by playing smart...effecient...ready golf, you will be through 18 holes in around 30 minutes less time. This is a huge time saving by just operating in a smarter way!

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Ready Golf means  thinking ahead so that you're  ready to play when it is  your turn.

Ready Golf applies  everywhere on the golf course -- on the tees, on the fairways and on the greens and applies to everybody!

Here are some 'Ready Golf' tips that can enhance everyone's enjoyment - this can only be a good thing.

Playing Out Of Turn

• Ready Golf suggests that golfers disregard "˜playing in turn' and instead play when it is safe to do so. It makes sense doesn't it? Why waste time stood staring at an empty green when you could have played the shot in the time it takes your playing partners to select a club.

On The Tee

• The player with the honour should  be ready to play first. If you have the honour, mark your scorecard after you've played your tee shot not before.  If the player with the honour isn't ready, then someone else should go first.
• If you're not sure if your ball can be easily found after a wayward tee shot "¦ declare and play a provisional ball.
• Let the shorter hitters tee off first. If the group in front of you are in reach for just one golfer, then surely it makes sense to let the shorter hitters go first? But be sure it is safe!
• First to the tee goes first . If the fairway ahead is clear...the first player ready to play should go first. There is more honour getting round the course in a respectable time than insisting on teeing off first because you scored best on the hole before.

On The Fairway

• Players should  be ready to play as soon as it is their turn to do so. Players should walk directly to their own ball after their tee shots and  play when it is safe to do so.

• Hit your own ball first before helping search for someone elses. Golfers spend time looking for their partner's ball first. Go to your ball first, play your shot...and then go and help someone else find theirs and remember you now only have 3 minutes to search!

Around and On The Putting Green

• Putt when you're ready. If you are nearer the hole than another player in your group and you are ready to play"¦.go ahead and play. If your playing partner is further from the hole but not ready, then you go first, if one of your partners is still lining their putt up.
• If your playing partner chips onto the green or plays a bunker shot onto the green and they are still further from the hole, don't wait for them to rake the bunker, look at their line etc"¦. you go first whilst they prepare for their next stroke.
• The changes to the rules that came into play in 2019 allow the player to putt on the green with the flag still in the hole with no penalty if the ball hits the flag. Take advantage of this rule and  don't wait for the flag to be attended.

Mark your card at the next tee

• Don't mark your scorecard when you are still on/around the green of the hole just played. Get out the way and let the group following you play their approach shots
• Mark you scorecard on the next tee when it's not your turn to play. An empty tee with players marking scorecards is one of the biggest causes of slow play.

So Remember

• Ready Golf does not mean rushing. If you think ahead, you can still take your time but play smarter  'Ready Golf'