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.

Ten tips for beginner golfers on golf etiquette, and how to speed up your round

Homemade points from playing with beginner friends to speed up our rounds and teach etiquette
(Reddit, 2018)  

  1.You should never walk in someone's line. Shoes mark the greens, adding obstacles to the putt. Even if you are not wearing golf shoes best to avoid this. 

  2. Always mark your ball if someone else's ball is even remotely behind it. (tip: ball mark should be behind the ball perpendicular to the hole)

  3. Try to play "ready golf", whoever is ready to hit goes, rather than the furthest from the hole. This should really only be used around or on the greens. This is for minimizing waiting time.

  4. Avoid any talk or movement during playing partners swings. This is simple golf etiquette and fairly obvious.

  5. Shadows can be a real distraction to some golfers, try to avoid having your shadow in someone's putting line or near their ball when hitting.

  6. It doesn't matter how many swing you've taken on the hole, if you are keeping up with the rest of your group as well as the group ahead of you, your fine. 
    Vice versa, if you cannot keep up with your playing partners and or the group ahead pick up your ball after a reasonable amount of shots, move it to the green to putt, 
    or pick up entirely. Try again next hole.

  7. If searching for a lost ball, take an allotted amount of time searching for it, however this time should vary based on points 6. If this is occurring frequently either 
    accept the ball is lost and move on, or play cheaper balls so you care less. Don't spend a lot of time looking for balls unless your group has time to spare, and NO ONE is behind you. 
  
  8. When taking a pull cart or carrying, place you golf bag parallel to the ball or slightly back, but in front of you, there is no need to leave the bag directly behind 
    you where it can accidentally be hit or, ten feet back where you have to walk back each time to grab your bag. (can be particularly annoying after multiple duffs in a row) 
  
  9. Place your pull cart, bag, or cart between the hole and the next tee box, this is to avoid unnecessary time, and effort moving them to the other side. 
  
  10. If your taking a golf cart and you and your playing partner are on separate sides of the hole, bring MULTIPLE clubs to your shot. This is to avoid having to walk 
    back if you find your distance to be off, or so you have the club to hit the next shot.