Harper Lin
Ready golf is a style of play that encourages golfers to play when they are ready to do so safely, rather than adhering to the traditional procedure of farthest from the hole should play first. The aim of ready golf is to improve the pace of play, with golfers going to their balls as soon as possible and preparing to play their shots while waiting for their turn. This means that golfers should survey their shot, select their clubs, and take them from their bags before it is their turn. While ready golf is only used in stroke play, it is being actively encouraged at many clubs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Ready golf is a term used in stroke play golf to encourage golfers to play when they are ready to go if they can do so safely. |
| Benefits | Ready golf helps improve the pace of play. |
| Traditional way | In the traditional way, everyone hangs around in a group and goes from ball to ball to watch each shot for the majority of shots. |
| Ready golf way | In ready golf, all golfers should go to their balls as soon as possible and get ready to play their shots. |
| Players should | While waiting to hit, players should survey their shot, select their clubs, take them from their bags, and stand at their balls ready to step up and make the shot when it is their turn. |
| Cart drivers should | Cart drivers should drop off their partners, let them choose their clubs, drive to their own balls, and then get ready to play. They should not wait for their partners to hit the shot. |
| Putting | Players should line up their putts while other players are putting, so they’re ready to putt when it’s their turn. |
| Rule of thumb | A rule of thumb is to get off your putt within 20 seconds from when it is your turn. |
| Ready golf does not mean | Ready golf does not mean rushing. |
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What You'll Learn
Ready golf improves pace of play
Ready golf is a general practice that most golfers follow to avoid playing slowly. It involves golfers thinking ahead and preparing for their shot before it is their turn. This includes surveying their shot, selecting their club, and taking it from their bag. Golfers should also be mindful of their surroundings and only play when it is safe to do so.
Ready golf is particularly useful for speeding up play around the greens. Instead of waiting for their turn, players can line up their putts while others are putting, so they are ready to putt immediately when it is their turn. If a player misses a putt and has an open stance to make their next putt, they should take it instead of marking the ball and waiting for another turn.
Ready golf also helps speed up play at the tee. Traditionally, the player with the lowest score on the previous hole tees off first. However, in ready golf, whoever gets to the tee first and is ready to hit should go ahead. This prevents delays caused by waiting for the player with "honors" to finish writing down their score and get ready to tee off.
Ready golf is most effective on less busy courses, where it can help prevent groups from falling behind the group in front. On packed courses, it will only have a significant impact if the groups at the front of the field are adopting it. While ready golf is now actively encouraged at many clubs, it is not appropriate for match play due to the strategy involved and the need for a set method to determine who plays first.
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Ready golf is safe and responsible
Ready golf is a style of play that encourages golfers to play when they are ready to, as long as it is safe to do so. It is a general practice that most golfers follow to avoid slow play. It is particularly useful on less busy courses, where it can help prevent groups from falling behind the group in front.
Ready golf is not about rushing. It is about being prepared and thinking ahead so that when it is your turn, you are ready to play your shot. For example, while waiting for their turn, players should survey their shot, select their clubs, take them from their bags, and stand at their ball ready to step up and make the shot when it is their turn.
Ready golf is also about being responsible and sensible. When playing ready golf, golfers must act sensibly to ensure that playing out of turn does not endanger other players. For instance, shorter hitters can play first from the tee or fairway if longer hitters are still assessing their options and have to wait.
Ready golf is also beneficial around the greens. Players can get ready to putt before it is their turn by lining up their putts while other players are putting. If the ball is not in someone else's line, players can putt continuously. However, if a player misses a putt and has an open stance to make the next one, they should take their time and not feel rushed to make the putt. Ready golf is about being prepared, not rushing.
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Ready golf is not rushing
Ready golf is a style of play in golf that aims to improve the pace of the game. It encourages golfers to play when they are ready to do so safely, rather than adhering to the traditional procedure of "farthest from the hole should play first".
Ready golf does not mean rushing. It is about being prepared and ready to play when it is your turn, which in turn improves the pace of the game. For example, while waiting to hit, players should survey their shot, select their clubs, take them from their bags, and stand at their balls ready to make the shot. This means that when it is their turn, they can take their time and play without rushing, having already prepared.
Another example is when starting a new hole. Traditionally, the player with the lowest score on the previous hole plays first. However, in ready golf, if the player with the honours is not ready, another player can hit first. This prevents delays while players are getting ready and ensures a quicker flow to the game.
Ready golf is particularly useful on less busy courses, helping to prevent groups from losing touch with the group in front. It is also beneficial when one or two players in a foursome are walking, and the others are using carts. In this case, the players with the carts should hit first if they reach their ball first and are ready to play.
Overall, ready golf is about being prepared and playing when it is safe to do so, which improves the pace of the game. It does not mean rushing, but rather being ready to play at a brisk walking pace, which is how golf is meant to be played.
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Ready golf is not taking turns
Ready golf is a style of play that aims to improve the pace of a game by encouraging golfers to play when they are ready to do so safely, rather than adhering to the traditional procedure of "farthest from the hole should play first".
Ready golf is particularly beneficial for shorter hitters, who can play first from the tee or fairway even if it is not their honour. Additionally, drivers of carts should drop off their partners, let them choose their clubs, drive to their own balls, and get ready to play, rather than waiting for their partners to hit their shots first.
While ready golf encourages playing out of turn, it is important to do so in a safe and responsible manner that does not endanger other players. It is not about rushing and does not mean that the person who is ready at the tee should hit first. Instead, the player with honours should be ready to hit first, and only if they are not ready should another player hit first.
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Ready golf is preparing in advance
Ready golf is a general practice that most golfers follow to avoid slow play. It involves thinking ahead and preparing in advance so that you are ready to play when it is your turn. Here are some key principles of ready golf:
Getting Ready in Advance
Ready golf encourages golfers to prepare for their shot before it is their turn. This includes surveying the shot, selecting the appropriate club, and having it ready in hand when it is their turn to play. By preparing in advance, golfers can take their time and still maintain a good pace of play.
Going to Your Ball
When playing with a group, golfers should go directly to their ball as soon as possible. Instead of waiting for others to hit their shots, each player should get to their ball, choose their club, and be ready to play. This approach helps to keep the game moving at a brisk pace.
Tee Off
Traditionally, the player with the lowest score on the previous hole has "honors" and tees off first. In ready golf, however, whoever arrives at the tee first and is prepared to hit should go ahead. This prevents delays caused by waiting for the designated player to be ready.
Putting
Ready golf is also applicable on the putting green. Players should line up their putts while others are putting so that they are ready to putt when their turn comes. If the ball is not in someone else's line, players can putt continuously without marking the ball and waiting for another turn.
Safety and Responsibility
While ready golf encourages faster play, it is important to do so in a safe and responsible manner. Golfers should ensure that playing out of turn does not endanger other players. Additionally, ready golf should be adapted to the course conditions, as it may have more impact on less busy courses or when adopted by the groups at the front of the field.
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Frequently asked questions
Ready golf is a term used in stroke play golf to encourage golfers to play when they are ready to do so safely, rather than adhering to the traditional procedure of "farthest from the hole should play first".
Ready golf is likely to improve the pace of play. A survey conducted by Golf Australia showed that 94% of clubs that promoted ready golf improved their pace of play.
When starting a new hole, the player with the honours (the lowest score on the previous hole) should be ready to hit first. If they are not ready, another player can go ahead. Shorter hitters can also play first from the tee or fairway if longer hitters are still preparing.
Ready golf may not be appropriate for match play golf due to the strategy involved between opponents and the need for a set method to determine who plays first. It may also not have a significant impact on pace of play on packed courses.
