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Speed up!
Having been around the golf courses for some time you will find that the single most annoying thing that can happen to any golfer is to play behind a flight that slithers across the fairway with the speed of an old snail.
If this flight happens to be you, let us tell you how to improve the speed. And of course, if the flight behind you is faster, let them play through at the moment right after you have teed off (hit the ball and stand to the side to let them play through), or when you are out in the bushes looking for your balls. Even though your allotted 5 minutes have not passed yet.
The golf mathematician can tell you that if a flight of four golfers (each with handicap of 18) spend an extra 5 seconds on each shot, they will use 30 minutes extra on the round. That is the difference between using 4,5 or 5 hours and a lot of aggravation from the flight behind you that has to watch your flight run back and forth to gather clubs, bags and find new balls.
So, let us give you some good ideas on how to improve.
Always have everything ready
When you get up to the tee, make sure you have at least two balls, two tees and the right club in your hand or pockets. You can save some time by placing the ball on the tee in your hand (hold the tee between your first and index finger) and press the ball&tee into the ground in one motion.
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Do not make too many practice swings
Some golf clubs do not allow them on the tee off. And even on the fairway, there is no point in first making practice swings and then stepping back to aim. Decide on the club, then the direction, make one or two practice swings - until you feel that the swing should be able to hit the ball - and let loose. Don't waste time.
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Decide on the club to use
Even before you have reached your ball you should - in most cases - have a clear idea about which club is right. If the ball is lying by the 100-meter marker, then pick the club you use for that distance. Usually, the confidence is more important than the actual club you use. I have experienced several times that for some reason my 8 iron often hits the ball further than the 7 iron. At other times the short distance to the hole makes me swing slower and the ball flies shorter than it usually does. So, as the ball lands, you should estimate where it is positioned and move towards it with the club of your choice in hand. It makes your play more confident and secure - and saves time.
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Move over to your ball
Do not wait for everyone else to have hit his or her balls. Get your club ready and move close to where your ball is lying - as long as you do not stand in the way of the other players. Get there, be ready and hit as soon as it is your turn.
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Do not always wait for your turn
In tournaments there are strict regulations about the order of play, but in social games it is more important that you speed up. If you are ready to hit the shot then take it. Do not wait until the next in turn player has found his clubs and positioned himself over the ball.
Speed up!
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Remember everytiing
Remember that you brought both the Sand wedge and the Putter to the green. Place the Sand wedge somewhere (for example over the flag) so that you do not forget the club when you leave the green.
Make sure you have enough balls and tees in your pocket to make the provisionary shot. Remember the rules so that you do not have to spend much time wondering what your options are when the
ball ends up in the water or in the bushes.
Pick up clubs your flight members have dropped and bring them along as you leave the green.
If it can save time then help your flight partners by moving their trolley so that they do not have to go back to fetch it.
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Do not look for things
If you want to look for your tee after tee off, only do so if it does not slow down the game. When the flight moves away, you move with them!
If the ball has disappeared, do not spend a long time looking for it ? not even the allotted 5 minutes. You should only use your 5 minutes when you are playing a tournament. It is not that important.
As our golf pro says: "If the ball decides by itself to get lost, it does not deserve that you look for it!"
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Do not do unnecessary things
If there is no point, then don't do it. That means that you should stop playing if you cannot win the hole. There is no point in playing on if you will not get a point. it just wastes time.
Do not let your flight partners waste time by searching for your ball when you know it it lost.
If there is a flight waiting for you to finish and to get off the green, do not make that final 10 cm putt. You know you will make it, so hopefully one of your flight members will say "given" - or do it
yourself. Pick up the ball and count one more stroke for the hole.
In tournaments and if you are playing a sidegame it is another matter of course.
Do not stop to write up your score while you are still on or around the green. Wait until the next tee off and write your score while you are waiting for the other players to hit their shots.
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However
There are things that you should always do, even though it slows down your game:
- Repair pitch marks on the green.
- Repair pitch marks that have been left by other players
- Even out the marks in the sand hazards
- Let other flights play through if you are playing slower than them.
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Fore!
