FAST PLAY - Speed Is Of The Essence

With the shortened daylight hours in winter it is important that we all take on board the need to complete our rounds of golf as quickly as possible in order that the later games can be completed before the courses are closed.

Here are some memory joggers to help us proceed quickly and efficiently:

• Walk – don’t stroll
• Be prepared to tee off with a club, ball and tee at the ready – don’t dither
• Have a provisional ball close at hand
• Play a provisional ball if there is any doubt that the original may not be found or it may be out of bounds
• Tee off out of turn if this saves time
• Tee off before marking score cards if this saves time
• Play out of turn if this saves time
• Clear the green as quickly as possible to allow approaching players to proceed and do not stand on the green casually marking score cards
• Around the greens, leave bags and trolleys in a handy place to pick up for the next tee
• Wherever possible putt out on the greens rather than mark and pick up
• In Stableford or Bogey events, pick up when out of points or the hole is lost
• Make a conscious effort to speed up if a gap appears between your game and the one in front – and remind your fellow players of the need for ‘fast play’
• Don’t daydream – watch your fellow players to see where their shots have landed and assist in searches as necessary
• Call the following game ‘up’ if a search is in progress – and let the game ‘through’ if it is ready to proceed before your game
• Keep an eye on the following game and assist with ball watching to prevent unnecessary searches (e.g. 3rd hole on the Princes)
• Don’t linger at the tea hut
• Don’t stand on the 18th having hugs and kisses!

Peter Harrington
Secretary
21^st November 2002