We’re aiming for a pace of 3 hours for the round, which means approximately 10 minutes per hole. Now, I know each course is different, but on most public courses with carts, that should be our standard pace. Keep in mind, par 5’s might take a bit longer, while par 3’s should be a tad quicker.
Remember, golf is not just about your personal game—it’s about how we interact with each other, the staff, and fellow players. Always check the pace of play expectations, especially if we’re new to the course or playing as guests. And folks, pace of play guidelines are there for a reason—let’s not push them to the limit.
Think about it like this: if we were hitting the slopes, would we start off with the double black moguls if we weren’t ready? No way. We’d warm up on the easier trails. Same goes for golf—choose the right tee boxes and be ready when it’s your turn to swing.
While you’re waiting, don’t just stand there—prepare! Get a yardage to the front and back of the green. When putting, clean your ball, read the green, and get a feel for the speed. And when it’s your turn, make your practice stroke and go for it! And hey, unless it’s a serious competition, let’s finish those short putts without marking them. Or find some new friends (seriously).
“Ready golf” is our motto here. If you’re ready and not in the way or a distraction, play on! Remember, some clubs won’t let members book during peak times if they have a bad pace reputation. Some clubs make slow groups skip holes. Let’s not be that group.
Pace is not just about us—it’s about the entire course’s experience. Like an assembly line, if one part slows down, it affects everything. So let’s keep the pace up and make the most of our time out there. Pace is king. Keep up or walk the plank…
Golf Custodian 
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