Tips for Ready Golf

• Ready golf - playing your shot as soon as possible without interfering with your opponents or players in front of you. Example: your ball may be closer to the hole than your opponents, but if they are not prepared to play their shot, go ahead and play yours. Even if you have to wait on a player that is further away, go ahead and pick your club, align your shot and take your practice swing so as soon as he hits, you can immediately hit the ball.

• Keep the pace moving along - after you've hit your shot, begin moving to your ball, as long as you don't distract your opponents, or endanger yourself by moving into their line of play. Also, if you see people on the green and you know that you can't reach them with your shot from your distance away, then go ahead and play your shot instead of waiting for them to move off the green.

• Practice swings - avoid excessive practice swings. If you must take a practice swing, do so as soon as you get to your ball so you will be ready to play your shot as soon as possible. Limit these to ONE. The course is no place to practice. That's why they have driving ranges. It's time to play, not practice.

• Putting - Get to the green, mark you ball, clean it (if desired) and be ready to putt when it is your turn. Evaluate the green to line up your putt upon reaching the green as well, so you won't distract your opponents while they are putting, and you won't delay play by waiting until it is your turn to putt to begin this effort. And, by all means, continue your play and putt out when possible. Also, when you get to the green, park your cart (riding/pull) on the side of the green towards the next hole.

• Gimmes - Gimmes are legal in match (league) play. We recommend conceding putts inside the leather in order to speed up play.

• Score Keeping - If you are the designated score keeper for the foursome, ask for each player's score while walking to the next tee. Standing around on the green after everyone has putted out to ask for scores and jot them down only delays the following group from being able to play their shots into the green you've just finished.

• Cell phones - Cell phones on the golf course should be used for emergencies ONLY