I Once Held Up the Entire Course on a Saturday Morning, and I Still Remember the Look on the Marshal's Face
Now hold on a second. If you've ever been the reason the group behind you is leaning on their clubs and staring at the sky, you know the feeling. I've been there. It was a busy Saturday at a Beckley course in the late '80s, and I was playing slower than molasses in January—taking too long over every shot, looking for lost balls like they were buried treasure, and generally treating the course like it was my private backyard. By the 8th hole, the marshal pulled up in his cart and said, "Son, you're two holes behind. Pick it up or let 'em through." I was embarrassed, but I learned a lesson that day: pace of play is not about rushing; it's about being considerate. Since then, I've played hundreds of rounds without ever holding up the group behind me, and I've taught dozens of beginners how to do the same. This guide will give you my simple, time-tested tips for keeping up without swinging like a maniac. I'm Earl Buck Hatfield, and I've been playing golf in Beckley for forty-four years. Let me help you keep the course moving and your playing partners smiling.
Why You Should Trust Me on This
My name's Earl Buck Hatfield. I've been playing public golf in Beckley since 1982, and I've seen every slow-play mistake a golfer can make—because I've made most of them myself. I've been the slow one, the fast one, and the one stuck behind a group that wouldn't let me through. I know what works and what doesn't, and I know that pace of play is the single biggest factor in whether a round is enjoyable or miserable. I'm not a rules official, and I won't tell you to run between shots. But I'll give you practical, common-sense tips that keep you moving without ruining your rhythm. I may earn a small commission if you buy through my links, but I only recommend what I'd suggest to a friend. And I'll never call you a dummy for being slow. I was slow once, and the marshal's look still haunts me.
The Golden Rule: Keep Up With the Group Ahead, Not the Group Behind
Here's the simplest pace-of-play rule I know: always stay close to the group in front of you. If there's a full hole open ahead of you, you're playing too slow. That's the universal signal that you need to pick up the pace. I learned this from that long-ago marshal, and it's served me well ever since. You don't need to be right on their heels, but you should be able to see them on the next tee. If you can't, and the group behind you is waiting, you're the problem. The fix is simple: play ready golf, keep your pre-shot routine short, and don't spend five minutes hunting for a $2 ball. I've written a whole guide on ready golf explained, and it's the foundation of good pace. If you combine ready golf with a few of the tips below, you'll never hold anyone up again. And if you want to know the best times to play when the course is less crowded, check out my guide on the best time to play golf in Beckley—it'll help you avoid the busiest windows altogether.
Five Simple Pace-of-Play Tips That Actually Work
I've boiled down forty years of pace-of-play wisdom into five habits. None of them require you to rush your swing, and all of them will keep you moving. I've used these every round for decades, and they've never let me down.
1. Be ready before it's your turn. Decide your club, put on your glove, and line up your putt while others are playing. I see too many beginners standing around, then starting their routine only when it's their turn. That dead time adds up. I always have my glove on and a spare ball in my pocket before I reach my ball. If you need a comfortable glove, here's a search for beginner golf gloves on Amazon. If your budget's tight, DHgate has cheap gloves with slower shipping—order ahead so you're not caught without one. Being ready is the cheapest pace-of-play upgrade you can make.
2. Play ready golf, especially on the tee and in the fairway. I covered this in my ready golf guide, but it bears repeating: when you're ready and it's safe, hit. Don't wait for the "correct" order. This one habit can shave twenty minutes off a round. I've been doing it since the '90s, and it's the single biggest reason I keep up. Just make sure no one is in front of you before you swing. Safety first, always.
3. Limit your search for lost balls. Looking for a lost ball is the biggest pace-killer in golf. I give myself about a minute—maybe two if the rough is thick—and then I drop a new ball and move on. I used to hunt for balls like they were made of gold, and I'd waste five minutes a hole. Now I carry plenty of spares, and I don't fret when one disappears. If you need balls, here's a search for beginner golf balls on Amazon. If you're watching your wallet, DHgate has cheaper balls, but shipping is slow—order ahead. A lost ball is not worth the frustration or the dirty looks. Drop and go.
4. Leave your bag or cart on the correct side. When you're playing a hole, place your bag or cart on the side of the green or fairway that leads to the next tee. That way, you're not walking back and forth or holding up the group behind you while you run to the cart. I learned this from an old caddie at a state park course, and it's saved me more steps than I can count. If you're walking with a push cart, this is even more important. Jack has a guide on the best golf push carts that includes models with easy maneuverability for exactly this purpose.
5. Keep your pre-shot routine short and repeatable. You don't need five practice swings and a full minute of staring. A good routine is quick: pick your target, take one or two practice swings, and go. I've seen too many beginners freeze over the ball, and it kills their swing and the group's pace. If you want to build a simple, effective pre-shot routine, check out Maya's practice routine guide. It'll help you develop a rhythm that keeps you moving without rushing. And if you're new to the game and need to know what to expect, her first time golfing guide will settle your nerves before you ever step on a tee box.
Three Honest Drawbacks of Trying to Speed Up
I've learned to play at a good pace, but I won't pretend it came naturally. Here are three real frustrations you'll face, and how to get past them.
1. You'll feel rushed at first. When you start playing ready golf and shortening your routine, it can feel like you're sprinting through the round. I felt that way for the first few weeks. The fix is to remember that pace is not about speed; it's about efficiency. You're not swinging faster—you're just wasting less time between shots. I still take my time over the ball, but I don't dawdle getting there. That's the balance. If you feel rushed, slow your walk, not your swing. Your body will adapt, and your score will thank you.
2. You'll lose more balls because you're not searching. When you limit your search to a minute, you'll leave some balls behind. That's okay. A ball costs a couple of dollars, and the time you save is worth more than the ball. I used to agonize over lost balls, but now I just drop a new one and keep moving. It's liberating. If you're worried about the cost, buy balls in bulk—my best golf balls for beginners guide has affordable options that won't break the bank. And remember, the group behind you will appreciate your pace far more than they'd care about that one ball in the woods.
3. It can be hard to change old habits. If you've been playing slow for years, breaking those habits takes time. I know—I was a slow golfer once. The key is to focus on one or two pace-of-play habits at a time. Start with ready golf and being prepared before your turn. Once those stick, add the others. I've been working on my pace for thirty years, and I still catch myself dawdling on occasion. The difference is, I catch it and correct it. If you want to practice pace without the pressure of a full course, try a quick nine holes on a quiet weekday. Earl's list of Beckley golf courses includes several tracks that are perfect for a fast, low-pressure round. And if you want to work on your swing so you spend less time searching for balls, Maya's swing basics guide is the place to start.
Red Flags: Signs You're Playing Too Slow
If you notice any of these, it's time to pick up the pace. I've caught myself in each of these at some point, and correcting them made my rounds faster and my partners happier.
🚩 The group behind you is waiting on every shot, and there's an empty hole ahead of you. You're the bottleneck. Start playing ready golf immediately.
🚩 You're spending more than a minute looking for a lost ball. Drop a new one and move on.
🚩 You're taking more than two practice swings before every shot. One or two is plenty.
🚩 You're not ready when it's your turn—still digging for a club or a ball. Be prepared before you reach your ball.
🚩 You're the last one to the green and the first one to start reading a putt. If you're the slow one in the group, let others hit first or play ready golf. I've been there, and it's a lonely feeling.
If you catch any of these, don't panic. Just make a mental note and adjust. Pace of play is a skill, and like any skill, it takes practice. I've been honing it for decades, and I still slip up now and then. The goal is progress, not perfection. If you want more specific advice, read my ready golf guide—it's the best place to start. And if you're looking for a course that's forgiving of beginners, check out Earl's list of Beckley golf courses. Most of them are perfect for learning to keep up without pressure.
What to Do Once You've Mastered Pace of Play
The first time you finish a round in under four hours without ever feeling rushed, and without ever holding up the group behind you, you'll understand why I wrote this guide. It's a quiet, satisfying victory—one that makes every round more enjoyable for you and everyone around you. I remember the first time I looked back after a round and realized nobody had waited on me all day. It felt like a promotion. If you want to keep improving, check out Maya's practice routine guide and Earl's swing basics guide. And if you need gear that helps you stay ready—like a good glove or a reliable push cart—the beginner gear hub has honest recommendations that won't oversell you. When you're ready to test your new pace on a real course, Earl's list of Beckley golf courses will point you to some great tracks. Now go out there, keep up, and enjoy the walk. It's the best pace-of-play advice you'll ever get, and it costs nothing. See you on the fairway—I'll be the one keeping up and smiling.
Frequently Asked Questions About Golf Pace of Play
How long should a round of golf take for a beginner?
For a beginner, a round of 18 holes should take about four to four and a half hours, depending on the course and the crowd. If you're playing 9 holes, expect about two hours. The key is to keep up with the group ahead. If there's an open hole ahead of you, you're playing too slow. I've learned to gauge my pace by the group in front, not the group behind. If I can see them on the next tee, I'm doing fine. If not, I pick it up. For more tips, read my ready golf guide.
What is the most common cause of slow play in golf?
The most common cause is spending too much time looking for lost balls, followed closely by not being ready when it's your turn. I've seen beginners spend five minutes in the rough hunting for a $2 ball, while the group behind waits. The fix is to limit your search to a minute or so, then drop a new ball and move on. I used to be guilty of this, and it was a hard habit to break. Now I carry plenty of spare balls and don't fret over the lost ones. If you need balls, here's a search for beginner golf balls on Amazon. DHgate has cheaper options too, but shipping is slow. Losing a ball is not the end of the world. Dropping and going keeps everyone happy.
Should I let faster groups play through?
Yes, if there's room ahead and you're holding up the group behind. The polite move is to wave them through on the next tee. I've done that many times, and it always reduces tension. If you're the slower group, don't take it personally—it's a standard courtesy. Just let them go, then continue at your own pace. If you're the faster group, be patient and wait for the invitation. I've been on both sides, and a friendly wave works wonders. For more etiquette tips, check out Maya's golf etiquette for beginners guide.
How can I speed up my putting without rushing?
Be ready to putt when it's your turn. Read the green while others are putting, and line up your ball while you're waiting. When it's your turn, take one practice stroke, step up, and go. I've seen too many beginners start their putting routine only when it's their turn, and it adds minutes to every hole. Ready golf applies on the green too—if you're ready and not in someone's line, putt. I've been playing ready-golf on the greens for years, and it's the fastest way to keep the group moving. For a full putting guide, check out Maya's how to putt for beginners. It'll improve your speed and your stroke.
Does walking or riding affect pace of play?
Both can be fast or slow, depending on the golfer. Walking with a push cart is often just as fast as riding, especially if you're prepared and play ready golf. Riding can be faster on courses with long gaps between holes, but it can also be slower if you're constantly walking back and forth to the cart. I prefer walking with a push cart, and I keep up fine. If you're a walker, a good push cart makes a big difference—Jack has a guide on the best golf push carts. If you ride, keep the cart positioned so you can get to your ball quickly. The mode doesn't matter as much as the habits. I've seen fast walkers and slow riders. It's all about being ready and moving with purpose. For more on walking vs riding, check out Dale's guide on walking vs riding golf course.
Where to Go From Here
Now that you know how to keep up, the next step is to put these habits into practice. Start with my ready golf guide—it's the foundation of good pace. Then read Maya's golf etiquette for beginners to learn the unwritten rules that make the game fun for everyone. If you want to improve your swing so you spend less time searching for balls, check out swing basics. And if you need gear like gloves or a push cart, the beginner gear hub has honest recommendations that won't oversell you. When you're ready to test your new pace on a real course, Earl's list of Beckley golf courses will point you to some friendly fairways. Now go out there, keep up, and remember: a steady pace makes a happy round. The marshals will smile, your partners will thank you, and the group behind you will never know your name. That's the goal.