All of us have had the frustration of waiting lengthy periods of time while the group in front of us is reading a 3-foot putt from multiple angles or taking multiple practice shots. Penalties for being out of place may be assessed. It is up to your WHOLE group to keep your group on pace. It would be great to play a 4 and half hour round of tournament golf. Here are some recommendations from the USGA to maintain Pace of Play.

1. Minimize your time on the tee. Play Ready Golf! While none of us like to "step in front of a birdie", if the birdie shooter isn't on the tee box in 5-10 seconds of the cart stopping, then someone hit away. Hit a provisional if you think your ball is lost/OB. A local rule for our tournaments is hitting a provisional if you thing your ball might be in a red or yellow marked penalty area also. By the time the first player has teed up, all other players should have their clubs out and ready to go. If someone is playing the forward tees, they should have their club out BEFORE driving to the tee box. If the tee box is within quick walking distance, they should walk up to their box as soon as the last person has hit from the back boxes

2. Play Ready Golf! There is no penalty in stroke play for playing out of turn. If the other person isn't ready and you are - Fire away if safe to do so.

3. Plan your shot BEFORE you get to the ball. Pay attention to yardage markers as you approach your ball. If your ball is in proximity to another player's ball, scope your shot and pick your club while they are getting ready.

4. Keep your pre-shot routine short. We all know how important it is to have a pre-shot routine. It is certainly OK to LEARN a new pre-shot routine if yours is excessively long. The longer your pre-shot routine is, the more time you have to think yourself into trouble.

5. Have a goal of 20-30 seconds to go from club selection to execution. Have someone in your group time you.

6. When sharing a cart, use the buddy system. Once your cart partner has their club, drive over to your ball (if safe) and start your routine. Or grab a couple of clubs and your scope and walk over.

7. If you can't see the group in front of you (if all holes were used) you are out of place. My rule of thumb is I want to be waiting for the group in front of me for about 30 seconds. That gives me time to get my distance, select a club.

8. KNOW YOUR DISTANCES! Especially on par 5s. If you hit a 250 yard drive and you are still 275, you are NOT going to hit the green. If you are in the group in front of of someone, understand that being "hit into" means the ball went up to or PAST you. It does not mean that it landed 10 yards short of you. That means the person behind you was confident in their distance.

9. Be efficient on the putting green. Read your putt while you are arriving to and walking to the green. Many times you can read your putt without disturbing others. DO NOT STAND directly behind someone on their line. If you are looking for a read, step in AFTER they hit their putt. Place any extra clubs your brought in a line from the flag to your cart. Write your score down AFTER you leave the green.

10. TRIPLE BOGEY max (A,B,C,D flights only) If you have just hit your double bogey putt, PICK IT UP, lick your wounds, and move on to the next hole.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM THE USGA ON PACE OF PLAY!