Slow golf rounds can suck the fun out of what should be a relaxing day on the course.
We’ve all been there, stuck behind a group that seems to treat every shot like a meditation session, dragging a four-hour round into six and leaving everyone cranky by the end.
Ready golf is a straightforward way to keep things moving: you play when you’re set and it’s safe, instead of waiting for the “furthest from the hole goes first” routine.
This can shave 20–30 minutes off your round without pushing you to rush your swing or mess up your rhythm. It’s not some rogue tactic, the USGA gives it the green light for stroke play.
Faster play doesn’t mean you have to hurry your shots. We can move with purpose, get ready while others hit, and skip all that dead time, but still take our swings with confidence. It’s about using our time wisely, not cutting corners on our game.
Key Takeaways
- Ready golf means hitting when you’re ready and it’s safe, not just when it’s “your turn”
- You can knock 20–30 minutes off your round by prepping smart and cutting out idle moments
- You keep your swing quality and safety, but the pace picks up through better habits
What Is Ready Golf?
Ready golf lets us play when we’re ready and it’s safe—no more waiting around just because of tradition. This turns all those gaps between shots into a smoother, more enjoyable flow for everyone.
Defining Ready Golf Versus Traditional Play
Ready golf ditches the old-school honor system where the player farthest from the hole always goes first. Instead, whoever’s set up and safe to hit just goes.
Those old rules? They create bottlenecks. Imagine you’re standing at your ball, club in hand, ready to swing, but you’re forced to wait for your buddy who’s still wandering around 30 yards away.
Traditional golf:
- Player with honors (lowest score last hole) tees off first
- Farthest from the hole always plays first
- Rigid order, even if someone’s not ready
Ready golf:
- Anyone ready and safe can hit
- Distance from the hole isn’t the main thing
- Efficiency trumps tradition
We’re not tossing out etiquette or hurrying our swings. We’re just skipping the pointless waiting, but still respecting the game and each other.
Benefits for Golfers and the Course
Ready golf brings real improvements for everyone. Golf Australia’s studies show that when courses promote ready golf, the pace picks up noticeably.
Time savings are huge. By trimming all those little delays, we can finish 20–40 minutes faster. That’s the difference between a slog and a great round.
Player satisfaction jumps when we’re not always waiting. A quicker pace keeps us focused, in rhythm, and honestly, just in a better mood.
Course management gets easier too. Less congestion, fewer complaints, and a better experience all around.
Accessibility opens up. Shorter rounds make golf possible for folks with tight schedules—parents, busy professionals, you name it.
The USGA backs ready golf in stroke play under Rule 6.4b, so you’re totally within the rules.
Where Ready Golf Applies on the Course
Ready golf works everywhere, but some spots offer bigger time savings.
On the tee box: Forget honors if it’s slowing things down. If the “honor” player isn’t set, someone else should step up. Shorter hitters can go first while the bombers wait for the fairway to clear.
In the fairway: Hit when you’re ready, not just because you’re farther out. If you’re at your ball and set, go for it—even if your partner’s still picking a club.
Around the green: Keep it moving for the groups behind you. Putt out of turn if it’s safe and you’re not in someone’s line. Tap in those shorties instead of marking and waiting.
Lost balls: If someone’s searching, the rest of us should hit our shots first, then help out. Stick to the three-minute search limit.
Ready golf doesn’t fly in match play, where order can be strategic and opponents can make you replay out-of-turn shots.
Pace of Play and Why It Matters
A slow pace on the course drags everyone down. Ready golf tackles those annoying delays while letting us keep our swings and focus intact.
How Ready Golf Improves Pace of Play
Ready golf wipes out the main cause of slow play: pointless waiting. Instead of sticking to “farthest from the hole goes first,” we just play when we’re ready and safe.
The USGA even encourages it for stroke play. Efficiency isn’t against the rules.
Big time savers:
- Hit when you’re ready, not just when it’s “your turn”
- Get your shot lined up while others play
- Tap in short putts instead of marking
Just these tweaks can save 20–30 minutes a round. That’s a lot over a day at the course.
We’re not talking about rushing swings or taking bad shots. We’re just trimming the dead time that causes those brutal backups.
Common Pace Killers and Their Fixes
Some old habits really slow things down. Here’s what gets in the way—and how ready golf fixes it:
| Pace Killer | Ready Golf Fix |
|---|---|
| Waiting for “honors” on the tee | Let whoever’s ready go first |
| Everyone searching for lost balls | Hit your shot, then help look |
| Marking every short putt | Just tap it in if it’s not in the way |
| Taking ages to read yardages | Check your distance while walking up |
The three-minute search rule for lost balls—people ignore it all the time. We waste tons of time looking way longer than we should.
On the green, marking those tiny putts is a time sink. If you can finish out without stepping in someone’s line, just do it.
Impact on Enjoyment and Course Flow
Nothing kills your vibe like slow play. Waiting around breaks your focus and just makes the day drag.
A quicker pace keeps us alert and in rhythm. We stay loose, score better, and honestly have more fun. Arccos Golf data even shows slower rounds lead to higher scores—go figure.
When everyone moves along, the whole course feels better. Fewer backups, happier players, and less stress for the staff.
Ready golf also makes the game doable for people who can’t spend all day out there. More folks can play—a win for the sport.
And it helps those behind you too. One slow group can clog up the whole course, but one efficient group keeps everyone moving.
Practical Ready Golf Tips for Faster Rounds
Playing ready golf well is all about being prepared, thinking ahead, and making quick choices that help the group keep moving. These tips help you cut the dead time without rushing your shots.
Being Prepared When It’s Your Turn
Start your pre-shot routine as you walk to your ball—not after you get there. Figure out your yardage, check the wind, and pick your club on the way.
Prep checklist:
- Check yardages while others hit
- Pick your club based on distance and wind
- Clean your club and ball as you go
- Get your head in the game early
Don’t stand over your ball debating between clubs. Make that call before you even get there.
Limit practice swings to one or two. We’re not pros, and taking five doesn’t help your score.
Keep these handy:
- Ball markers, tees
- Divot repair tool
- Rangefinder or GPS
- Extra balls
Smart Tee Box Strategies
No need to stick to honors in casual rounds. If the “honor” player isn’t ready, someone else should tee off.
Shorter hitters can go while longer hitters wait for the fairway to clear. This saves a couple minutes per long hole—no joke.
Tee box tips:
- Keep extra tees in your pocket
- Use forward tees if it fits your game
- Keep chats quick while others prep
- Move toward your bag or cart after your shot
After you hit, step away from the tee area. Hanging around just slows down the next player.
Fairway Efficiency and Walking Tips
Walking straight to your ball beats sticking to cart paths. If you’re in a cart, drop off your partner at their ball, then go to yours.
Walking tips:
- Bring a couple clubs so you don’t have to double back
- Help spot balls for others as you go
- Stay up with the group ahead
- Park carts on the side of the green you’ll exit from
If someone’s searching for a lost ball, others should hit first, then help. Remember the three-minute rule.
Think ahead about where your next shot will be. A little planning saves steps and time.
Using Provisional Balls Effectively
A provisional can save everyone a lot of hassle if your shot might be lost or OB. Don’t wait—hit one right away if you’re unsure.
When to hit a provisional:
- Ball might be in water
- Shot heads into thick rough or woods
- Possible out of bounds
- Bad visibility
Say “I’m hitting a provisional” so everyone knows what’s up.
Play the provisional from the same spot as your original shot. No sneaky moving to a better lie.
If you find your first ball in time, pick up the provisional. If not, the provisional is now your ball—with the penalty stroke.
On the Green: Keeping Things Moving Without Rushing
The green is where rounds often slow to a crawl, but it doesn’t have to be like that. With smarter routines and a little etiquette, you can save minutes every hole and still putt well.
Efficient Putting Routines
Let’s keep the putting routine quick and focused—15 to 20 seconds tops from mark to stroke.
Stick to one or two practice strokes. Any more just drags things out.
Once you’ve read the putt, trust your line and go. Standing over the ball forever just hurts your pace and your nerves.
Mark and replace the ball cleanly and get set. Skip the elaborate cleaning rituals.
Keep your routine simple: read, practice stroke, putt. That’s really all you need.
Tour pros take about 25 seconds under pressure. We can be even faster in casual play.
Reading Putts While Waiting
This is where you can save the most time. While others putt, be reading your own line.
Walk around and check out your putt’s path as soon as you can. Look at the break, the slope, and the grain.
Watch how other putts break. Their ball can tell you a lot about yours.
Don’t wait until it’s your turn to start reading. That’s a big time-waster.
Just be sure to stay clear of their sight lines and don’t step in their putting paths. Basic etiquette, right?
Quick Tap-Ins and Finish Etiquette
If your putt is inside a foot, just tap it in unless you’re playing strict tournament rules. No need to mark those.
After you finish a hole, head straight to the next tee. Don’t hang out on the green to tally up scores or chat.
If someone’s out of contention for the hole, they should just pick up and move on. No sense making everyone wait for a long putt for double or triple.
Fix your divots and ball marks fast as you leave the green. It only takes a second and keeps the course nice.
One person should handle the flagstick—makes things smoother.
Save the stories and swing critiques for the cart ride or the next tee, not the green.
Smart Golf Cart and Equipment Habits
Smart cart placement and a bit of thought about your gear can save you a lot of steps and hassle. These small changes keep you moving without messing with your pre-shot routine.
Park Your Cart for Quick Exits
Always park your cart on the exit side of where you'll hit, facing the next spot you need to go. It's such an easy thing, but it really adds up over 18 holes.
When you roll up to your ball, try to park between your current shot and where you'll head next—maybe that's the next tee, maybe just further up the fairway. If you're on the right, park on the right, angled toward the next destination.
Don't park directly behind or in front of your ball. That just leads to awkward walks and wasted time. Instead, aim to park a little ahead and off to the side.
On approach shots, especially near greens, leave your cart on the path that's closest to the next tee. Nobody likes that long walk back across the green after putting out.
Par 3s are a little different. Here, it's best to park behind the tee box, not beside it, so the next group can set up while you're finishing up.
Carrying Multiple Clubs
If you're unsure about distance or the lie, grab 2-3 clubs. It saves you the back-and-forth to the cart.
Around the green, always take your putter and a wedge or short iron. Greenside shots can change fast, and having options in hand keeps things moving.
For longer approach shots, take your target club, plus one longer and one shorter. The wind or pin placement might make you change your mind once you get there.
If you're headed into the rough or near water, bring your recovery clubs along with your usual pick. Odds are you'll need something different than you thought.
Don't overcomplicate it. Three clubs max is plenty—enough to cover most situations without overloading yourself.
Minimizing Backtracking for Bags
Put your golf bag or pull cart on the green's exit side as soon as you arrive. This stops you from having to double back after putting.
With pull carts, leave them near the cart path or wherever you'll walk to the next tee. Avoid stashing them behind the pin or in spots that require a hike to retrieve.
Drop off your playing partners at their balls before parking. That way, they can start getting ready while you sort out the cart and your clubs.
If you have to walk away from the cart path, have one person drive while the others grab their clubs and head to their shots. The driver can then park smartly and walk to their own ball.
Think ahead. Where you put your gear now should set you up for the next hole, not just the current shot.
Rules, Etiquette, and Ready Golf in Different Formats
Ready golf fits within the rules and respects tradition, but how you use it can really depend on whether you're playing stroke play or match play.
Integrating Ready Golf with the Rules of Golf
The USGA and R&A both back ready golf through Rule 5.6b, which encourages quick play. It's not just a suggestion anymore—it's officially encouraged.
Some core ready golf ideas:
- Play when you're ready and it's safe, even if you're not farthest from the hole
- Get ready while others are hitting
- Move efficiently between shots
Safety always comes first. If there's even a chance someone could get hit, don't swing, no matter how ready you are.
The rules give you some leeway on order of play. Honors on the tee and "farthest from the hole" still matter, but if mixing it up speeds things along, go for it.
Ready golf works best when everyone on the card is on board. If only one person is hustling, you won't see much difference—plus, it can get a bit awkward.
Handling Ready Golf in Match Play
Match play brings its own wrinkles. It's head-to-head, and sometimes players use slow play as a tactic.
Things to keep in mind:
- Some folks use slow play to get in your head
- Both players need to agree to ready golf
- Order of play actually matters more here
You can still walk to your ball quickly and pick clubs early. But if you want to play out of turn, ask your opponent first.
Honors after a won hole matter in match play, so people are less likely to skip the traditional order.
Talking it out before you start helps. Set some expectations so nobody's surprised or upset in the heat of competition.
Balancing Ready Golf with Tradition
Some think ready golf clashes with golf's old-school, deliberate style. But honestly, that's not the case.
Ready golf keeps the important etiquette—like repairing divots and respecting the course—while cutting out pointless waiting.
Traditions that still matter:
- Respect your playing partners and the course
- Stay focused and stick to a good pre-shot routine
- Keep up basic courtesy and sportsmanship
It's about using downtime wisely, not rushing your actual shot. Prepare while you wait, then take your time when it's your turn.
Older players sometimes push back, thinking it's not "real" golf. But with a little info about the rules and etiquette, most come around.
Golf courses need to move people along these days. Ready golf isn't ditching tradition—it's just adapting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready golf gets people wondering about etiquette, safety, and how to actually put it into practice. Here are answers to what most folks want to know about keeping things quick without sacrificing the game.
What are the essential golf etiquette rules for maintaining a good pace of play?
Keep up with the group in front—not just ahead of the group behind. That's the real trick.
Be ready when it's your turn. Club picked, yardage checked, and a plan in mind before you step up.
If you might've lost a ball or hit it out of bounds, play a provisional right away. Don't go look, then come back for another shot.
Limit your search for lost balls to three minutes, tops. Sometimes it's just better to take the penalty and move on.
If you've got a short putt, mark it and finish up—nobody wants to wait around while you re-read a tap-in.
Move between shots with some purpose. Walk straight to your ball and start your routine.
Can you outline effective strategies for speeding up your golf round without impacting your swing?
Start thinking about your shot while others are hitting. That's the biggest time-saver.
Stick to a simple pre-shot routine. One practice swing is usually enough.
Play from tees that fit your game. Playing too far back slows everyone down.
Take a couple clubs with you when you walk to your ball. Saves a trip back to the cart or bag.
Keep swing thoughts simple during the round. Save the technical stuff for the range.
Not every shot will be perfect. Accept it and move on—this isn't the Masters.
What actions can golfers take to avoid slow play and keep the game moving?
Head straight to your own ball. Don't follow your partners to theirs first.
If you're ready and it's safe, just hit. You don't always have to wait for who's "away."
Fix ball marks and rake bunkers while others are hitting nearby. A little multitasking goes a long way.
Leave the green right after you finish putting. Record scores at the next tee while others get ready.
Plan your walking or cart routes so you aren't zigzagging all over the place.
Keep chatter short during play. Save the long stories for after the round.
How do seasoned golfers balance the need for speed with the precision of their swings?
They start visualizing their next shot while walking to the ball. Mental prep saves time.
Their pre-shot routines are short but focused. No wasted motions.
They know their yardages and pick clubs fast—no second-guessing.
They don't dwell on bad lies or tough conditions. Sometimes you just have to hit and hope.
On busy days, they play more conservatively to keep things moving.
If a hole's gotten away from them, they'll pick up and move on rather than slow down the whole course.
Could you explain the 'play ready golf' philosophy and how it contributes to faster rounds?
Ready golf is all about hitting when you're set and it's safe—not sticking to the old honor system.
The main goal is to cut out the dead time where everyone just stands around waiting. Instead, you get a nice steady flow.
It's not about rushing your shot or skipping your routine. Take the time you need, but be ready when it's your turn.
Safety is always the top priority. Never swing if there's any risk to others.
Ready golf works best when everyone's on board. One person doing it alone doesn't help much.
The USGA and R&A officially support ready golf for casual play. It's quickly becoming the new normal.
What are the common pace of play problems in golf, and how can players proactively combat them?
Excessive practice swings slow everything down. Honestly, one or two purposeful swings do the job—no need to rehearse endlessly.
Standing over putts forever? That just drags things out. Try reading your line while others are putting, then step up and give it a go.
Too much time picking clubs usually means you don’t really know your yardages. Spend some time at the range figuring out your distances.
Hunting for lost balls can drive everyone nuts. Set a quick timer and stick to the three-minute rule—seriously, it helps.
Choosing the wrong tees is a classic mistake. Pick tees that fit how far you actually hit, not how far you wish you did.
Bad course management can mean extra strokes and walking back for re-dos. Sometimes, the smart play is the safe play—it keeps things moving, even if it’s not the most exciting shot.