LCSGS Standards

We have recently had our AGM, and the fact that we have had fewer numbers this year was brought up. The thoughts were  put forward for why this may be the case, and were numerous, including affordability and holidays. We do have control over affordability, but do not want to compromise on the quality of the courses we play, and holidays will always be a personal decision; some choose to take holidays when there is no golf booked. Others don't have that option, being told when they're going away. 

There was another reason. It would seem consideration on the golf course has become somewhat lax within the society. Whether it be routines, not being ready or not following simple steps to minimise the time it takes to leave the green clear for the group behind. Below are a few good pointers that EVERYONE should read and accept

When ‘Monty’ got me into golf, he suggested I begin by learning good golf etiquette. He also stressed, that other golfers don’t really mind if you don’t play well but they will if you avoid Slow Play. 

Personally, I enjoy playing at a reasonable pace and like to ‘walk’ a round a golf in 3 & 1/2 hours or less, if possible. However, before we run down a list of suggestions for keeping up with play, it’s important to note, many of these tips have nothing to do with ‘rushing’. Instead, more likely, it’s a matter of simply being ‘ready to play’.

With common sense and good etiquette on the course, social golf can be enjoyed by all. And of course, it is also good manners and courteous to your playing partners that you are ready to go and not holding up the course.

Just think how many extra tee times course would have available IF everyone kept pace and a result would be a reduction in green fees for all.

10 Top Tips for addressing Slow Play and for keeping pace on the golf course

1. Leave your mobile phone in the car (or at least put it on silent) unless it’s your Golf GPS device

2. Be ready to play when it is your tee time (having executed your practice routine beforehand)

3. Don’t discount the value of adequate nutrition on the ability to keep up

4. Try playing ‘Ready Golf’ where order of play is based on who is ready and not on ‘the honour’

5. Take off the driver head cover before you get to the first tee and leave it off until the final tee shot

6. Choose the correct tees to play from – if you’re a high-handicapper, you probably shouldn’t be playing off the Championship tees

7. Play the game you can manage, keep control and not try to over hit just because your playing partners are longer than you

8. Work on a concise pre-shot routine – limit practice strokes to one or two at the most

9. Pay attention to your partners’ drives – if they lose sight of their ball, you can help direct them to it

10. If you plan to hit the ball 180 yards and the group in front is 250 yards away, don’t wait for them to clear the fairway/green

And if that wasn’t enough, here’s 10 more…

1. Members of a group should not travel as a pack – each member of the group should walk directly to their own ball

2. Assuming you are unsure whether your ball has come to rest, out of bounds or lost, immediately hit a provisional

3. If you are searching for a lost ball and are willing to spend a few minutes looking for it, allow the group behind to play through

4. Don’t ask playing partners to help finding a lost ball until they have played their own shots first

5. Use the time you spend getting to your ball to think about the next shot – the yardage and your club selection

6. Approach the ball from behind – along your line of intended play

7. When two players are riding in a buggy, drive to the first ball and drop off the first player with a choice of clubs

8. If using a buggy on a path-only day, take more than one club with you when you walk from the buggy to your ball

9. Park your buggy/trolley/bag close to where you will be playing your shot

10. Never delay making a stroke because you’re having a conversation with a playing partner. Put the conversation on hold

And if that doesn’t do it, there’s even more tips to avoid Slow Play

• • • Leave buggy/trolley/bag at the side of the green on the way to the next tee

    • Begin reading the green and lining up putts as soon as you reach the green – make this part of your putting routine

    • If you are not in the middle of a matchplay think about not marking lag putts and putt out

    • After putting out, don’t stand around the chatting – leave the green quickly so the group behind can play

    • Leaving the green, don’t ‘faff’, move to the next tee, put away your club away, then mark your scorecard

    • If you’re the type who likes to offer tips to playing partners, save it for the range or the 19th

    • Walk at a good pace between shots – speeding up your gait a little

    • Carry tees, ball markers, divot repairers and an extra golf ball in your pockets so you never have to return to your golf bag

    • When chipping around the green, carry both the club you’ll be chipping with, and your putter

    • Consider putting with a glove on before you reach the tee box (if you wear a glove)