2004 GUIDELINES FOR FAST PLAY

It’s important to note that fast play IS NOT PLAYING FAST. Instead, it is eliminating the wasted time between shots. Being organized and thinking ahead can eliminate much of this wasted time. These tips should help everyone do just that.

	ALWAYS PLAY READY GOLF. This may sacrifice proper golf etiquette at times but is necessary in order for everyone to complete his or her match before dark and to make the overall golfing experience enjoyable.
	KNOW WHO HAS HONORS TO HIT FIRST ON THE TEE BOX. If that person is not ready and Player A is, forget honors and have Player A hit his/her tee shot.
	WHENEVER POSSIBLE, WATCH OTHER MEMBERS IN THE GROUP HIT TO AID IN FINDING EVERY BALL. This will decrease the time spent looking for balls and getting ready for the next shot.
	AS YOU ARE WALKING TO YOUR BALL, BE THINKING ABOUT WHAT CLUB YOU NEED FOR YOUR NEXT SHOT.
	ALWAYS GET TO YOUR BALL AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND BE READY TO HIT. Be thinking about the club you will need for the next shot.
	IF YOU AND ANOTHER MEMBER OF YOUR FOURSOME ARE ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE FAIRWAY AND THERE ISN’T TOO MUCH DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DISTANCES BOTH BALLS ARE FROM THE FLAG (ROUGHLY 20 YARDS), YOU CAN BOTH HIT AT THE SAME TIME.
	IF SOMEONE HAS LOST THEIR BALL, HIT YOUR OWN BALL BEFORE HELPING THEM LOOK FOR THEIR BALL. But, if you had a good line on their ball, do point out where you think it is.
	AT THE PUTTING GREEN, PULL YOUR CART AWAY FROM IN FRONT OF THE GREEN AND PARK IT BETWEEN THE PUTTING GREEN AND THE NEXT TEE, PREFERABLE CLOSE TO WHERE YOU WILL WALK OFF THE GREEN.
	ON THE GREEN, HAVE YOUR PUTT LINED UP AND BE READY TO PUTT BEFORE IT’S YOUR TURN, provided you can do so without interfering with the person putting. If it’s your turn to putt and you are not ready, allow anyone else who is ready to putt first.
	AFTER PUTTING, PROCEED DIRECTLY TO THE NEXT TEE BOX. NEVER MARK YOUR SCORE CARD ON THE PUTTING GREEN. This will clear the hole for the foursome behind you. If you have honors, hit your tee shot and mark you card after you hit. If not, mark the card while the other members in your foursome hit.
	IF YOUR FOURSOME FALLS BEHIND THE ONE IN FRONT OF YOU, TRY HARDER!!
	BECOME AWARE OF THE NIST BYLAWS. They answer a lot of questions that arise in a round of golf.