What does Ready Golf Really Mean?
The spirit of ready golf is simply playing golf shots whenever you are ready to play
and whenever it's safe to play REGARDLESS of honors or state of the match.
The primary purpose of playing ready golf is to increase the pace of play which has
been the biggest complaint of our league over the years. All golfers should play
ready golf as a courtesy to your fellow competitors, but it's very important
to play ready golf once your group falls behind the group in front of you. It is your
responsibility to insure you and your group are following these guidelines.
Here are a few concrete examples of what ready golf means in practice:
Ready Fairway and Green Side Golf
Here's a situation where player A and B are on opposite sides of the hole, and player
A is closer to the hole than player B. If the group in front of you is still on the green there
is no reason player A can't play before player B if player A knows he can't reach the green.
Even if there is not a group on the green there is no reason player A shouldn't play before
player B if he's ready before player B. There's also no reason player A and player B can't
play simultaneously if they can't see or hear one another. This guideline also applies
for shorter shots around the green.
Furthermore, even if you don't play the shots simultaneously, whichever player plays second
should time his pre-shot routine (including gauging the wind, selecting a club, and any
practice swings) such that he's ready to swing as soon as possible. There's
really no need to watch your fellow competitor's ball come to rest.
Ready Standing
You should always try to be as close to your golf ball as possible whenever you
have a wait so you can play as soon as you have the chance. Make sure you are
not distracting your fellow competitors by talking, moving, or obstructing their view.
If someone is distracting you or standing in your way please let them know immediately.
Pay attention to those behind you and protect yourself (hide behind a tree, cart, or your bag)
while you wait. Use the time while you wait wisely. This is the perfect time to gauge the
wind, improve your lie, clean your ball, select a club, and make any practice swings. Most
of all just be ready to play when it's your turn.
Here's a situation where players C and D are much further away from the green
than players A and B. If the group in front is still on the putting green players A and B
shouldn't wait for them to putt out and then wait for players C and D to play before they
walk to their ball. Players A and B should proceed to their ball, and walk in a route that
is out of the playing lines of C and D in case the green clears while they are walking. If the
green is still occupied when players A and B get to their balls they should spend this
extra time assessing their shots. Once the green clears, A and B should take cover or at
least turn around and watch C and D play their shots so they can avoid any wayward
shots. Once C and D play, A and B should already be set to play their shots.
Ready Putting
Ready putting starts when you're walking up to the green from your approach shot. Make
sure you set you bag down between the green and the next tee box so that after you finish
putting you minimize the time it takes to retreive your bag and get to the next tee.
Once a group is on the putting green, the player closest to hole is responsible for tending or
removing flagstick. Make sure you set the flagstick out of the way, and wrap the flag around
the stick before you set it down so it doesn't blow around and distract others.
If you're on the green before others in your group there's no reason you can't putt while
others are raking sand traps, lining up longer putts, or just walking to the green for
whatever reason. When you fall behind you forfeit your right to "go to school" on others
if they are not ready to putt. Here's a situation where player A got to the green first and
player B just bladed a chip shot over the green, and player C is still walking to the green
because he fell behind the others during a tragic lost ball incident.
Player A should putt first in the interest of time. Player D should tend the flagstick and replace
it for player B as soon as player A is finished. If player C's ball is in his line, player D should
mark player C's ball prior to the putt.
While you're on the putting green you should read your putts
and rid your line of lose impediments while others are putting. You should time
your pre-putt routine such that you're ready to putt as soon as others mark their
ball or retrieve their ball from the cup. It's not courteous to make others watch you
read the green when it's your turn to putt.
If you need to spend time to read your second putt you should mark your ball and read
the green while others are putting. If you don't need to read your second or third putts (or
can read it with a quick glance) please keep putting until you hole out. It's generally faster
to keep putting while it's your turn.
The second to last player to hole out is responsible for replacing the flagstick. As soon
as they hole out they should go pick up the flag and be ready to return it as soon as the
last competitor holes out.
Also please don't stand around after you've finished the hole to write down the scores.
You can do that at the next tee or when you wait for others in the next fairway.
Ready Driving
In the previous scenario, if player A is playing ready golf it's likely he will finish the hole
prior to the others. There is no reason why player A can't proceed to the next hole and
tee off while others are still putting. Remember, when you are behind you've lost your
right to play with honors until you catch up to the group in front of you.
If your group does have to wait for the group in front of you on a tee box, the shortest
hitter should hit as soon as those in front of you are out of his way.
If you're on a par 3 that you can't reach there's really no need to wait for the
group in front of you to hole out. In the interest of time you should tee off as
soon as it's safe to do so. The 4th hole at Hickory Woods and the 3rd hole
at Deer Track are good examples. These are also good holes to wave the
group up behind you since it's unlikely they'll hit the green on their first shot.
Ready Golf Carts
If you play with a golf cart you should be FULLY prepared for your next shot(s) whenever
you leave it. This means you take EVERYTHING you will possibly need including a putter and
a wedge if you are anywhere near the green. In the fairway you should take the club
you think you're going to hit and the next shortest, and next longest club in case you
change your mind. If you don't know what club you're going to hit take your entire
bag. You should also take your entire bag if your cart partner has a lost ball or is on
the other side of the world. Don't forget an extra ball and your range finder if you use one.
Try to minimize the number of transactions you make with your golf bag. You can save
time by getting into the cart without putting your club(s) away from the previous shot
if you know you will have to go back to your bag for the next shot anyway. If you hit the green
on your approach shot you can get your putter out the same time as you put your
other clubs away so you won't have to go back to your bag once you get to the green.
Ready Lost Balls
One of the biggest reasons for slow play is the time spent on lost balls. According
to the SDRC league rules, players are only allowed 3 minutes to search for a lost ball.
Lost balls are a reality that can't be avoided, but you must be conscientious when dealing
with lost balls. Always carry an extra ball in your pocket, the club you are most likely
going to use if you find the ball, and the club you will use if you can't find the ball
while you search for the lost ball. If more than one player loses a ball you should
divide into separate groups, and search simultaneously. Most of all you shouldn't
exceed the 3 minute search limit regardless of the number of lost balls, especially
if you're already behind. Remember to set your bag down near where you would
play in the event you can't find the ball.
If All Else Fails Be Ready to Run Like Hell
There's no excuse for not keeping up with the group in front of you. You are
responsible for knowing when you are falling behind and how to catch up
to the group in front of you. If you can't play ready golf then you better learn
to play faster golf. Besides you probably need the exercise.