Golf 101: How to play 'ready golf'

September 4, 2:58 PMGolf ExaminerDave Seanor

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No need to run. Just be ready. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

The term “ready golf” refers to the practice of allowing the first person in a foursome who is prepared to hit his/her shot to go ahead and play, regardless of whose “honor” it might be on the tee, or who is “away” (farthest from the hole).

Ready golf is the most effective way to accelerate pace of play, without rushing anyone.

Here are some tips to facilitate ready golf, and to speed play in general:

• On the first tee, announce to everyone in the group that you’re playing “ready golf.” That way no one is put off if somebody plays “out of turn.” Rather, the ready golfer sets a good example for the slowpokes.

• If two other players are engaged in conversation, go ahead and hit.

• If you’re the last to hit off the tee, don’t waste time putting your driver back in the bag. Jump into the cart with the club you just used and hit the accelerator. Put the club back in your bag when you’ve arrived at your ball. You’ll be surprised how much cumulative time it can save.

• If someone else is preoccupied with the scorecard, go ahead and hit.

• If another player has just “air-mailed” a shot from a greenside bunker over the green, tell him to take his time raking the sand and regroup while everyone else goes ahead and putts.

• When approaching the green with a golf cart, drive to the spot on the cart path alongside the green that’s closest to the next tee – even if your ball is short of the green on the opposite side. There’s nothing more annoying than waiting for someone in the group ahead to backtrack into your line of play to retrieve a cart. (Moreover, if after parking you pay attention to undulations and distance as you walk across the green to your ball, you can better assess your next shot.)

• If you’re using a distance measuring device, share your findings with others in your group.

• Don’t wait for your buddy to light his cigar. Go ahead and hit.

• Don't use a ball retriever to fish for balls in water hazards. If you lose so many that buying balls becomes a financial burden, then lessons would be a better investment.

• If you’re playing a match and are out of the hole (meaning your score is of no consequence), pick up and move on.

• Resist pressure from macho peers and play from the tees that are appropriate for your skill level. (Be honest with yourself!)

• If you’re the passenger in a cart, and the driver has to go back across the fairway after dropping you off at your ball, take your putter and any other clubs you think you might need and walk to the ball after hitting your shot.

Do you have suggestions for accelerating pace of play? Share them with a comment to this post.