We’ve all been inside that group. The one that takes 5 and a half hours to play 18 holes. The one in which each shot includes three practice swings, a consultation with mileage and an internal debate about club selection. The one that supports the whole course.
No one wants to be that group, but no one wants to feel rushed. The good news is that playing faster doesn’t mean playing worse. It means playing smarter.
The problem of rhythm
Slow play has always been one of golf’s most annoying epidemics. The irony is that most slow players don’t think they are slow. They think they are being thorough, deliberate. They think all this extra time helps them play better. There isn’t. And it just makes everyone else miserable.
The fact is that fast players often score better. They get into a rhythm, don’t think too much, trust their instincts and keep moving.
What actually slows you down
It’s not necessarily the time you spend on the ball. What kills the rhythm is everything else. It’s moving slowly between shots. It’s waiting until you reach your ball to start thinking about what club you need. It takes four practice swings when one would. It’s not ready to strike when it’s your turn.
The biggest waste of time is indecision. You stand there debating between an 8-iron and a 9-iron for two minutes. You read a shot put from six different angles. You are not careful. You’re pushing it because you’re afraid of hitting a bad shot. Here is the truth. All that extra time doesn’t prevent bad shots; it just delays them.
The “Golf Ready” Mindset.
Golf ready it’s simple. If you are ready to strike and it is safe, strike. Don’t wait for someone who is a little further away if they are still looking for their ball in the woods. Don’t stand around watching every shot when you could be walking to your ball. Don’t expect to be invited to rest outside if you’re within three feet.
This does not mean to rush. It means being efficient. It means thinking ahead. While someone else is hitting, you’re already figuring out your space and choosing your club. When you get to your ball, you’re good to go. One look at the target, a practice swing if you need it, then hit.
Pre-shot routine that works
They have pros pre-shot routines lasting about 20 seconds. Not two minutes. Twenty seconds. They have already made up their minds before going up to the ball. By the time they are in their position, they are committed. They are not second guessers. They are executing.
Your routine should be the same every time and it should be fast. Get behind the ball, pick your target, hold your stance, maybe a practice move, then go. That’s it. If you’re taking more than 30 seconds from the time you step up to the ball until you swing, you’re overthinking it.
Walking pace
Walk with purpose. No running, just a normal walking pace. Don’t walk like you’re on the beach. Don’t stop to chat in the middle of the freeway. Go to your ball, assess the situation, hit the shot, move on.
If you’re riding in a stroller, think ahead about positioning. Leave your partner on his ball and then go to yours. Don’t both go out on one ball, watch that shot and then go on the next ball together. This is inefficient. Break up when it makes sense.
Device habits
Carry multiple clubs with you when you’re not sure what you’ll need. If you’re between clubs, get both. Don’t hit the approach shot, realize you need another club for the next shot, then walk up to the cart.
Keep your gear organized. Know which pocket your tees, balls, ball marker, gloves, etc. are in. Don’t waste time rummaging through your bag looking for these items.
Deployment efficiency
Score the ball when you have to, but if you’re away and there’s no tackle, just shot after shot. Don’t mark everything. Don’t read shots from eight angles. Pick a line, believe it, hit it. If you miss it, you miss it. All that extra reading wasn’t going to help anyway.
When you’re close, finish. Don’t mark a double leg and make everyone wait until you go through your full routine. Just tap it and move on. Your play partners will thank you.
The simple truth
Playing faster doesn’t mean playing carelessly. It means eliminating wasted time, being ready and trusting yourself instead of overthinking every decision. The best part is that when you play faster, you usually play better. You stay on the beat. You don’t have time to get nervous. You just play golf. Try it for a round. Walk with purpose. Be prepared when your turn comes. Commit quickly to your decisions. You’ll be done in four hours instead of five, and you’ll probably get a better score. This is not a coincidence. This is what happens when you stop getting in your own way. And everyone else.
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