PGTA Articles

Pace of Play. Special pace of play information every golf professional should know by PGA Professional Jeff Carreira.

I am a big advocate of keeping the pace of play on the golf course. I sometimes get aggravated when I am playing and the group in front of me is going too slowly. Sometimes it affects my game. It seems that public golf courses have the most trouble with this issue. Whenever I play at a private club, I seldom encounter any issues with slow play. I have noticed that at private golf clubs there are player assistants or rangers on the golf course to help with the pace of play, rule decisions or even assistance in finding their golf balls.

I highly recommend that all golf courses should have some type of player assistant except during the slow times such as summer in Florida when the golf courses can be very barren. I do recommend that all golf courses have at the very least a player's assistant on staff during the busy season. When I had ranger duty at Hickory Ridge Country Club in Amherst, Massachusetts, I sometimes had to tell players to pick up the pace of play and to keep up with the group in front of them. Most of the time people would just say, "O.K." but sometimes people would seem upset with me. At such times being a ranger was not the most desirable job.

One way that we could make players aware of this important issue is by including a pamphlet with every scorecard that discusses the topic of slow play. It would provide information explaining slow play and how it can be avoided.

Just recently, a student and I were playing nine holes. Because this was his first time on the golf course, the rules and etiquette were new to him. We were having trouble with keeping the pace of play, so I had to pick up his ball several times and jump to the next hole that way we wouldn't hold up the players behind us. After I did this a few times, he became a little upset; therefore, I explained to him what pace of play and how important it is. As a new golfer on the course, it is acceptable to pick up the ball every now and then. Following this discussion, he started to understand pace of play. He also realized that if he were waiting behind an incredibly slow player, he would want them to pick up the pace too.

This is only one example of how most public and private clubs handle their pace of play issues and how many new golfers might feel being on the golf course for the first time. It also helps to understand that if you are working with a new player, you should explain pace of play before starting the school. I now hand out a pace of play booklet with every golf school. You can create your own or order copies from the USGA. Most of your students will appreciate the information and feel much better about playing on the golf course. The worst learning situation is one that is rushed. A rushed playing lesson will have your students producing nothing but bad golf swings and feeling incredibly frustrated.

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