I Was a Slow Golfer Once, and a Patient Old Man Named Orville Taught Me the Value of Ready Golf Without Saying a Word
Now hold on a second. If you've ever been the one holding up the group behind you—and we've all been there—you might have heard someone mutter "ready golf" under their breath and wondered what it meant. I learned it the hard way, on a crowded Saturday morning at a Beckley course in the late '80s. I was taking my sweet time, standing over every putt like I was reading a novel. The group behind us was waiting on every hole, and I could feel their eyes on my back. Finally, an old-timer named Orville walked up to me on the 12th tee and said, "Son, play when you're ready. Not when it's your turn." That was my introduction to ready golf. It's not a rule in the book, but it's the single most important custom on a busy public course. And once I understood it, my rounds got faster, my partners got happier, and I stopped feeling like I was ruining everyone's day. Let me explain it to you the same way Orville explained it to me—plain, simple, and with no judgment. Because ready golf is not about being rushed; it's about being considerate. And it'll make you a welcome playing partner anywhere in Beckley.
Why You Should Trust Me on This
My name's Earl Buck Hatfield. I've been playing golf in Beckley since 1982, and I've been both the slow golfer holding everyone up and the impatient golfer waiting on the group ahead. I've learned that ready golf is the great equalizer—it keeps the pace moving, prevents frustration, and makes the game fun for everyone. I'm not a rules official, and I won't pretend that ready golf is written in the book. But I'll tell you this: on any public course in southern West Virginia, if you play ready golf, you'll be invited back. And if you don't, you'll hear about it. 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 not knowing what ready golf is. I had to learn from Orville, and I still remember the relief when I finally got it.
What Ready Golf Actually Is
Ready golf is a simple concept: when you're ready to hit, hit. You don't have to wait for the "correct" player to play first, as long as it's safe. In traditional golf, the player farthest from the hole hits first, but in ready golf, whoever is prepared and in position goes ahead and swings. This keeps the game moving and eliminates those awkward pauses when someone is still searching for a ball or checking a yardage. It's not about rushing; it's about being efficient. On the tee, if you're ready and your partner is still fiddling with his glove, you can tee off. In the fairway, if you're ready and the other guy is still walking to his ball, you can hit your shot. On the green, if you're ready to putt and you're not in someone's line, go ahead. The key is safety: always make sure no one is in front of you before you swing. I've never once had a problem with ready golf, because the rule is simple—look around, then swing. If you want to learn more about the official rules and how ready golf fits into the flow of the game, check out Maya's golf rules for beginners guide. And if you're new to the game and want to understand pace of play, my guide on golf pace of play tips will help you put ready golf into practice.
Why Ready Golf Matters So Much Around Beckley
Beckley's public courses are busy, especially on weekends and during the summer. If every group waits for the "correct" order on every shot, rounds stretch to five or six hours, and everyone ends up frustrated. Ready golf is the local custom that keeps things moving. I've played on courses where the marshal will gently remind slow groups to "pick it up," and the best way to avoid that conversation is to play ready golf from the first tee. It's also a matter of respect for the people behind you. When you play ready golf, you're saying, "I value your time as much as my own." That's a message every golfer appreciates. I've made more friends by being a quick, ready-golf partner than by any other habit. If you want to be a welcome addition to any foursome, start playing ready golf. And if you're playing with beginners, be patient but gently encourage them to hit when ready—not to wait for a ceremony. I always tell new golfers, "The best pace is a steady pace. Just keep moving." For more on the mental side of golf, check out Maya's golf fitness for beginners guide—being physically comfortable helps you maintain that steady pace. And if you want to know the best times to play to avoid the crowds altogether, read my guide on the best time to play golf in Beckley.
How to Play Ready Golf Without Being Rude
Ready golf is not a license to be reckless. There are a few unwritten rules that keep it friendly. First, always check that no one is in front of you or within your likely range before you swing. Second, if you're playing with someone who is slower or more deliberate, don't hit their shot for them—just be ready for your own. Third, on the green, don't walk in someone's line, and don't rush a putt just because you want to keep moving. Ready golf is about efficiency, not impatience. I've seen beginners mistake ready golf for speed golf, and they end up hitting shots in dangerous situations. The fix is simple: use your eyes and your common sense. If it's safe and you're ready, go. If it's not safe or you're not ready, don't. I've been playing this way for thirty years, and it's never steered me wrong. If you need a refresher on course safety and etiquette, read Maya's golf etiquette for beginners guide. And if you're new to the area and want to find a course that's friendly to ready golfers, check out Earl's list of Beckley golf courses—most of them are perfect for a relaxed, ready-golf round.
Three Common Mistakes Beginners Make With Ready Golf
I've seen plenty of newcomers struggle with ready golf, and I've made a few of these mistakes myself. Here are three to avoid.
1. Waiting too long for the "correct" turn. Some beginners are so worried about hitting out of order that they freeze. They stand over the ball, look around, and wait for someone to give them permission. That's the opposite of ready golf. The fix is to remember that in ready golf, order doesn't matter—safety does. If you're ready and it's safe, hit. I used to be that frozen beginner, and I still remember the relief when I finally just swung. If you're unsure, just ask your playing partners, "Mind if I go ahead?" Most will say yes. It's a small question that keeps the round moving.
2. Rushing your routine because you feel pressure. Ready golf is not about rushing; it's about being prepared. You still take your practice swings, check your line, and go through your routine. The difference is that you do it while others are hitting, not after they've finished. I've seen beginners rush their putts because they think they're holding people up, and they end up missing short ones. The fix is to stay calm and trust your routine, but be ready to hit when it's your turn. If you need to take a breath, take it—but maybe take it while walking to your ball, not standing over it. For more on managing nerves, check out Maya's first time golfing guide.
3. Not having your gear ready. Ready golf requires you to be ready, and that means having your club, your glove, and your ball prepared before it's your turn. I've seen beginners fumble with their bag while the group waits, and it kills the flow. The fix is simple: decide your club and grab it before you get to your ball. I always have my glove on and a spare ball in my pocket. If you need a good 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 never caught without one. A comfortable, well-fitting glove keeps you ready and confident. And if you need balls, here's a search for beginner golf balls on Amazon. I always keep an extra ball in my left pocket, and it's saved me more times than I can count.
Red Flags: Signs You're Not Playing Ready Golf
If you notice any of these, it's time to adjust your pace. I've caught myself in each of these traps, and correcting them made my rounds faster and more fun.
🚩 The group behind you is waiting on every shot. That's the clearest sign you're playing too slow. Start playing ready golf immediately.
🚩 You're standing over your ball for more than 30 seconds without a clear plan. Take your practice swings and go.
🚩 You're waiting for your playing partner to hit even though they're still searching for their ball. If you're ready and it's safe, go ahead.
🚩 You're not paying attention to your surroundings, so you don't know when it's safe to hit. Always look around before you swing. Ready golf requires awareness.
If you catch any of these, don't worry. Just make a mental note and pick up the pace. Ready golf is a skill, and like any skill, it takes practice. I've been playing this way for thirty years, and I still have to remind myself to keep moving on busy days. The goal is to enjoy the round and be considerate of others. If you can do both, you'll be a welcome partner on any course. For more tips on pace, read my golf pace of play tips guide. It's the companion to this article, and it'll give you a complete picture of how to keep up without rushing.
What to Do Once You've Mastered Ready Golf
The first time you play a round where you're never waiting on the group ahead and never holding up the group behind, you'll feel a quiet satisfaction. The game flows, your partners are relaxed, and you can focus on your swing instead of your pace. That's the reward of ready golf. I remember my first round after Orville's lesson—it was like a weight had been lifted. I wasn't the slow guy anymore; I was just one of the group, keeping up and having fun. If you want to keep improving your overall game, check out Maya's practice routine guide and Earl's swing basics guide. And if you're looking for a course that rewards ready golfers with a good pace, Earl's list of Beckley golf courses is the place to start. Some of those tracks are perfect for a quick, ready-golf nine after work. Now go out there, play ready golf, 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 moving at a steady, considerate pace.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ready Golf
What does "ready golf" mean?
Ready golf means that when you're ready to hit, you hit—regardless of whose turn it technically is, as long as it's safe. It's a pace-of-play custom that keeps the game moving on busy courses. I learned it from an old-timer named Orville, and it changed my golfing life. It's not an official rule, but it's expected on most public courses, especially around Beckley. If you're new, just remember: safety first, then swing when you're ready. For more on the official rules, check out Maya's golf rules for beginners.
Is ready golf allowed in tournaments?
In most casual tournaments and scrambles, ready golf is encouraged to keep the pace moving. In formal stroke-play events, the traditional order of play may be followed more strictly, but ready golf is still often used on the tee and in the fairway to avoid slow play. The key is to check with the tournament organizer. I've played in plenty of charity scrambles where ready golf was the norm, and it made the day much more enjoyable. For more on tournament formats, read my scramble guide and shotgun start guide.
How can I be a faster golfer without rushing?
The secret is to be ready, not rushed. Prepare your club and glove while walking to your ball, take your practice swings while others are hitting, and trust your routine. Ready golf is about eliminating dead time, not speeding up your swing. I've seen too many beginners rush their shots and make worse mistakes. The goal is a steady pace. If you want to build a routine that helps you play at a good pace, check out Maya's practice routine guide. It'll help you develop a pre-shot routine that keeps you efficient.
What should I do if the group behind me is waiting?
If you notice the group behind you waiting on every hole, it's time to pick up the pace. Play ready golf if you're not already, and consider letting faster groups play through if there's room. 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 slow group, don't take it personally—just let them go and enjoy your round at a more relaxed pace. For more on pace of play, read my golf pace of play tips guide. It covers everything from ready golf to letting groups through.
Can beginners play ready golf?
Absolutely, and I'd encourage it. Ready golf doesn't require skill; it requires awareness and consideration. Even if you're still learning, you can be ready to hit when it's safe, and that keeps the group moving. I've played with many beginners who were excellent ready-golf partners. The key is to communicate with your group—let them know you're new, and they'll help you figure out when it's safe to go. If you want to feel more confident on the course, read Maya's first time golfing guide and golf etiquette for beginners. They'll settle your nerves and make you a welcome addition to any foursome.
Where to Go From Here
Now that you understand ready golf, the next step is to put it into practice and maybe read up on other pace-of-play tips. My golf pace of play tips guide is the perfect companion to this one, and it'll give you even more ways to keep your round moving. If you're new to the area and looking for a course that's friendly to ready golfers, Earl's Beckley golf courses list is a great resource. And if you need gear like gloves or balls to keep you ready at all times, the beginner gear hub has honest recommendations that won't oversell you. Remember, the best pace is a steady pace, and ready golf is the secret. Now go out there, keep up, and enjoy the walk. I'll see you on the fairway—probably ahead of you, waving you through with a smile.