Pace of Play affects everyone on the course. At Willow Park Golf & Country Club, Pace of Play is 4 hours and 10 minutes for 18 holes of golf. All players have a responsibility to set a good pace and not hold up others . . . playing at a better pace is about adding enjoyment to everyones golf experience.
Suggestions for improving pace:
Start Smart
- Confirm your tee time and arrive early with your golf equipment in order, ready to play.
- Play from the tees that are comfortable for you.
- Ensure your guests understand pace expectations before they tee off.
- Try alternate forms of play to speed up your round — Match Play, Stableford, Best-Ball . . .
Minimize your time on the tee
- It is usually acceptable for players to “hit when ready.”
- Play a provisional ball if you think your original ball might be lost or out of bounds.
Plan your shot before you get to your ball
- Determine your yardage and make your club selection before it is your turn to play.
Keep your pre-shot routine short
- Pick your line of play once and trust yourself.
- Try to take no more than one practice swing.
- Be ready to hit when it is your turn.
- Be efficient after your shot moving toward your next shot promptly.
Develop an eye for distance
- If you need to determine precise distance, find a yardage marker before you reach your ball, then step off the yardage on the way to your ball. Or, use an electronic range-finder or GPS when permitted.
When sharing a cart, use a buddy system
- Don’t wait in the cart while your cartmate hits and then drive to your ball. Get out and walk to your ball with a few clubs.
- Be ready to play when it is your turn and then let your cartmate pick you up. Or, drive to your ball after you drop your cartmate off and then pick him or her up after you hit.
Be helpful to others in your group
- Follow the flight of all tee shots, not just your own. Once in the fairway, help others look for their ball if you already know the location of yours.
- Fill in a divot or rake a bunker for another player if needed.
Keep up with the group in front of you
- Your correct position on the course is immediately behind the group in front of you, not immediately in front of the group behind you.
- Arrive at your next shot just before the group in front leaves the area in front of you.
- If you are consistently not able to keep up and a gap opens in front of you, invite the group behind you to play through.
- Keep your stop at the halfway house to five minutes or less.
- Wait until the next tee to record your score.
Be efficient on the putting green
- Be ready to attend the flagstick for others.
- Mark your ball and lift and clean it when you arrive at the putting green to be ready to replace it when it is your turn to play.
- If you are able to — without disturbing other players — line up your putt while others are putting.
- Leave your clubs on the side of the putting green closest to the next tee, and leave the green promptly after holing out.
The above Pace of Play guidelines are in accordance with Golf Canada and adapted from the USGA.
