Ready golf and pace of play
Keep your group moving with preparation, safe decisions, and an understanding of ready golf.
By Fore Alarm · Updated October 31, 2026
Be prepared, not hurried
Think about your next shot while others play, without distracting them. Keep your equipment nearby and move toward the next tee promptly after finishing a hole.
What ready golf means
In stroke play, safe and responsible play out of turn can help the group keep moving. In match play, players may agree to play out of turn to save time; do not assume the stroke-play approach applies automatically.
A practical example
Your partner is retrieving a club and you are ready to play. If it is safe and appropriate for the format, playing first may save time. Never hit while someone is in range simply to speed things up.
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