At Saratoga Spa Golf our pace of play is 4 ½ hours, including a 10-minute break “at the turn”. That means that each hole must be completed in an average of just under 15 minutes. Virtually all groups that possess moderate mobility and ability to airborne the golf ball can achieve this pace. If your group is having trouble maintaining this pace please consider these suggestions. No one likes to be approached by the course marshal because they are holding up play. Follow them and that will not happen to you!
-
Use the tees that are appropriate for your golf game.
-
Be aware of how long it takes you to complete each hole, and of your position relative to the groups in front of and behind you.
-
Is it really necessary for the person who is away to go first? Or would it be ok, and helpful to the group’s pace, if another member of the group played first. CAUTION: don’t do anything unsafe, or interferes with the player that is away.
-
Without interfering with the others in your group, do as much of your preparation as possible before it is your turn to play.
-
If you are not bringing your golf bag with you to your ball, be sure you bring enough clubs so that you do not have to return to your bag for a different one.
-
Be ready to play when it is your turn. Limit practice swings.
-
When approaching the green, position your clubs on your route to the next tee.
-
When your group finishes putting, leave the green, and proceed to the next tee, IMMEDIATELY. Do not linger next to the green.
-
Do not allow keeping score to prevent you from being ready when it is your turn to play.
Pace of play is a difficult issue at most golf courses. Groups are either being pushed to play faster, or other groups are frustrated because play is too slow. It is very difficult to satisfy everyone, and few golfers seem willing to accept responsibility. It is always someone else causing the problem. Some blame the women, men, seniors, or juniors, others the good players for taking too long reading their putts, and to some the walkers are to blame, etc., etc. The truth is that there are offenders among all groups. This problem is really hurting the game, and taking the fun out of it for many participants. In today’s fast paced world many of us simply cannot afford the time involved when play gets slow. It only takes one slow group to create a backup on the course, and oftentimes that group is slow because of one member of the group. Each of us, individually, must take responsibility for his/her own pace of play.