Stop Slow Play: 5 Simple Tips Weekend Warriors Actually Use

Nothing kills the joy of weekend golf like crawling through a five-hour round when you'd rather be wrapping up in four hours and getting home to the family. As a weekend golfer who's suffered through more slow rounds than I care to count, I've discovered that most pace-of-play problems aren't caused by bad golfers—they're caused by simple habits that any of us can fix.

After 25 years of weekend golf, I've learned that the difference between a frustrating five-hour slog and an enjoyable four-hour round often comes down to just a few smart strategies. The good news? You don't need to rush your swing or skip the post-round beer to play faster golf.

Recent USGA research shows that the average time of a round has ballooned to 4 hours and 30 minutes, a new high, with golfers identify pace of play as the No. 1 thorn in their side detracting from their enjoyment of the game. But here's what most weekend warriors don't realize: you can dramatically improve your pace without changing your swing or shortening your pre-shot routine.

Why Are Weekend Golf Rounds So Slow?

Let me be honest—I used to be part of the problem. My regular Saturday foursome would start at 7:30 AM with the best intentions, only to find ourselves still on the 15th tee as the sun was setting. The frustrating thing wasn't just the time; it was watching our playing partners get more and more agitated as the round dragged on.

But what I discovered through countless weekend rounds is that slow play isn't usually about skill level. According to Shot Scope data, scratch golfers get round the quickest, taking an average of three hours and 45 minutes, which is most likely due to the fact they tend to lose fewer golf balls and make smarter decisions. This particular set of data would suggest that slow play is not caused by high handicap golfers.

The real culprits behind slow weekend rounds are much simpler:

Crowded Tee Sheets: Weekend courses pack players every 8-10 minutes, creating inevitable backups. As USGA research shows, the only statistically significant variable in pace of play is how busy a course is. Golfers move like cars on the interstate.

Poor Course Management: Many courses prioritize revenue over experience, cramming too many golfers onto busy weekend schedules without considering the flow implications.

Simple Inefficiencies: Most slow play comes from small delays that add up—waiting for cart partners, not being ready to hit, searching too long for balls, and poor green management.

What Is Ready Golf and Why It Changes Everything

The single biggest game-changer for weekend pace is something called "ready golf." Instead of rigidly following the "farthest from the hole plays first" rule, ready golf encourages you to hit when you're ready and it's safe to do so.

I'll never forget the first time our group tried this approach. We'd been struggling with 5-hour rounds all summer when my playing partner Jim suggested we abandon strict honors on the tee and just play when ready. The result? We knocked 45 minutes off our round without anyone feeling rushed.

As Kevin Weeks, 2023 National PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year, explains: "Provided you can do it safely start getting your yardage, checking the wind, your lie and picking your club before your playing partner hits so when it is your turn you are ready to hit!"

Ready Golf Basics:

On the Tee: Don't wait for honors if someone else is ready. According to ready golf guidelines, if you're prepared to take your shot and it's safe, go ahead—even if you're not farthest from the hole. No waiting on the tee box: If the first player isn't ready, someone else can hit.

In the Fairway: The first person to their ball should be the first to play, regardless of distance from the hole. Joe Hallett, Director of Instruction at Vanderbilt Legends Club, puts it simply: "Golf overrules proper etiquette every time; unless it is sanctioned play. The first one to their ball should be the first one to play".

On the Green: While one player lines up their putt, others should read theirs. If you have a tap-in, go ahead and finish without waiting.

The beauty of ready golf is that it doesn't require anyone to rush their individual shots. You're simply eliminating the dead time between shots when everyone stands around waiting for the "proper" order.

How to Speed Up Your Pre-Shot Routine Without Rushing

Here's where most weekend golfers get it wrong: they think playing faster means rushing their swing. But the real secret is making your preparation more efficient, not shorter.

Last month, I played with a single-digit handicapper who seemed to play lightning fast but never looked hurried over the ball. His secret? He did all his thinking while walking to his shot, not after he arrived. By the time he reached his ball, he already knew his yardage, had his club selected, and was ready to execute.

According to Mike Bender, Master Instructor at Mike Bender Golf Academy: "All players need to be ready when it's their turn to play. If you're playing in a cart with another player, when you reach the first ball, either the driver or passenger should wait until a club is pulled before driving away to their ball. Players who wait until the first person hits the ball before driving over to their ball significantly slow down play".

The Smart Pre-Shot Sequence:

While Walking/Riding: Start calculating distance, wind conditions, and club selection before you reach your ball. As Joe Hallett advises: "Never walk back to get a yardage for your shot. If you use the markers on the ground, get that while driving or walking to your ball. If you use a range finder, start to use it once you're two steps behind your ball".

At Your Ball: You should already know your yardage and have narrowed down to 1-2 club options. A quick look at lie and pin position, then commit to your club choice.

Over the Ball: Kellie Stenzel, Founder of Kellie Stenzel Golf Lessons, recommends: "10 seconds, which includes a practice swing and taking the time to aim and align themselves". That's plenty of time for one practice swing and pulling the trigger.

The key insight here is that Tiger Woods won the 2000 U.S. Open by 15 shots, and when he committed to walking into the golf ball after a practice swing, it took him an average of 13.2 seconds from first step to striking the ball. If it's good enough for Tiger in a major championship, it's good enough for our weekend rounds.

How Long Should Your Weekend Round Really Take?

Let's get realistic about expectations. I see too many weekend golfers get frustrated because they think every round should take 3 hours and 45 minutes—which is the average time for the first group out on an empty course.

According to GOLF Top 100 Teachers, "For four players, target four hours. For three players, target 3.5 hours. And for two players, it should be about three hours". But that's under ideal conditions.

Here's what's realistic for weekend warriors:

Saturday Morning (7-11 AM): 4 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 45 minutes is reasonable for a foursome, depending on course crowding and difficulty.

Weekend Afternoon: Don't be surprised if it takes 4.5 to 5 hours. As one pace-of-play expert notes: If you're playing on the weekend, and your pace is faster than 4 hours 20 minutes, you should celebrate.

The Flow Factor: Remember, total time isn't everything. As USGA's Matt Pringle emphasizes: "If a round of golf takes five hours and you never have to wait, that's fine. But if it's four hours and you're waiting on every shot... Not good".

My best advice? Focus on your group's efficiency rather than total time. If you're keeping up with the group ahead and not holding up the group behind, you're doing your part regardless of whether the round takes 4 hours or 4.5 hours.

What Makes Golf Rounds Take So Long?

Understanding the real reasons behind slow play helped me become a much more efficient golfer. It's not what you think.

Through my years of weekend golf, I've noticed that the biggest time-wasters aren't the obvious ones. Sure, searching for lost balls is slow, but the real killer is all the small inefficiencies that add up over 18 holes.

According to pace-of-play research, the average round of golf in America takes 4 hours, 17 minutes. The average time of dewsweepers, or the first group out, is 3:46. The length and Slope Rating of a golf course has almost no correlation with pace. The only statistically significant variable is how busy a course is.

The Real Time Wasters:

Cart Inefficiency: The biggest one I see is cart partners driving to each ball separately instead of using a "leapfrog" system. Sharing a cart should be like a game of leap frog, not a three-legged sack race. Instead of stopping at one ball, the first player hits, then they drive diagonally 20 yards to the other player's ball before moving up the fairway together, try parking the cart between your balls and you can both get ready at the same time.

Green Lingering: Standing around the green recording scores, discussing the hole, or leaving clubs scattered around. The rule should be: putt out, grab your clubs, move toward the next tee, then record scores.

Tee Box Socializing: While chatting with your buddies is part of golf's appeal, doing it when you should be hitting slows everyone down. Save the stories for the cart or clubhouse.

Technology Obsession: As one course operator notes: Wearable GPS can help pace and a smartphone can help you sneak out of the office to play without anyone knowing you're gone. But fiddling with shot-tracking, non-golf distractions like music and social media, all suck up valuable moments during a round.

Wrong Tee Selection: This is huge. Playing from tees that are too long for your skill level doesn't just hurt your score—it slows down everyone behind you. According to the USGA's "Tee It Forward" initiative, you should play from a set of tees that is comfortable for you – one where you are more likely to hit lofted irons into greens instead of hybrids or fairway woods.

How to Play Smart Golf Without Changing Your Swing

Here's where the magic happens. You can dramatically improve your pace without touching your swing mechanics or rushing your routine. It's all about smart course management.

I learned this lesson the hard way during a particularly brutal Saturday round last summer. We were stuck behind a fivesome (yes, a fivesome!) that was playing from the tips despite none of them breaking 90. Meanwhile, my regular group was getting more frustrated by the hole, and our own play was suffering.

That's when I realized: pace of play is as much about smart decisions as it is about efficient habits.

Play the Right Tees: This cannot be overstated. If you can't consistently reach greens in regulation from your current tees, move forward. It is acceptable for players in the same group to play from different tees. The USGA Handicap System provides a formula for adjusting handicaps from different tees.

Know When to Pick Up: If you're having a disaster hole and not in a tournament, pick up when you reach triple bogey. As Mike Bender suggests: "It would be good to have a max count per hole so that players can pick up once they reach that number. Since it's not a rule, it would be hard to enforce. But my recommendation is triple bogey".

Master the Three-Minute Rule: You have three minutes to search for a lost ball, not five or ten. The Rules of Golf were updated to reduce search time from five to three minutes specifically to improve pace of play. Use it or lose it.

Play Provisional Balls: If there's any doubt about whether your ball is playable, hit a provisional. This keeps pace flowing and prevents the dreaded walk back to the tee.

Green Efficiency: Mark your ball and lift and clean it when you arrive at the putting green so you will be ready to replace it when it is your turn to play. You can usually line up your putt while others are putting, without disturbing them.

How to Keep Your Group Moving on Busy Weekend Courses

The reality of weekend golf is that courses are packed, and you're often part of a convoy of groups all trying to get around. Your job isn't to play in 3.5 hours—it's to maintain the pace and not create backups.

My regular foursome has developed a system that keeps us moving even on the busiest Saturday mornings. We call it our "Saturday Survival Strategy," and it's saved our weekend golf experience.

Announce Your Intentions: On the first tee, tell your group: "Let's play ready golf today to keep things moving." This sets expectations and gives everyone permission to hit when ready.

Designate a Pace Captain: One player (usually the lowest handicap) takes responsibility for monitoring pace and gently encouraging efficiency. As one expert notes: "Determine which player in your group is the low marker. That person will be ultimately responsible for your group's Pace of Play".

Watch Every Shot: This is crucial for busy courses. "Watch every shot from every player, until their ball stops. If a player in your group is in a bunker, perhaps let them play first. This will allow them time for raking/tidying the bunker while you play your shot".

Use the Buddy System in Carts: Don't wait in the cart while your cart mate hits and then drive to your ball. Get out and walk to your ball with a few clubs. Be ready to play when it is your turn and then let your cart mate pick you up.

Know When to Let Groups Through: If you've fallen more than a hole behind the group in front, wave the group behind you through, regardless of their size. It's good karma, and it takes pressure off your group.

Weekend Golfer Pace of Play Mistakes to Avoid

After years of weekend golf, I've seen (and made) every pace-of-play mistake in the book. Here are the ones that kill weekend rounds:

The Perfectionist Trap: Trying to read every putt from multiple angles and taking three practice swings on every shot. Remember, if you shoot 90, that's three minutes per shot. That's even less time if you shoot a higher score. So the higher your score, the faster you need to play.

The Equipment Obsession: Spending five minutes deciding between a 7-iron and 6-iron when the difference is minimal for weekend golfers. Trust your instincts and pull the trigger.

The Social Hour: Treating every tee box like a social club. Chat while walking or riding, not when you should be hitting.

The Scorecard Ceremony: "Mark the scorecard at the next tee, not at the green". This simple change can save 2-3 minutes per hole.

The Ball Search Party: Having all four players search for one lost ball instead of playing on. Three and 45 emerged as key numbers: don't search for more than three minutes and no more than three people should search for a ball (while the fourth hits).

The Wrong Tee Ego: Playing from tees that are too long because you want to feel like a "real golfer." Swallow your pride and play from tees where you can actually reach greens in regulation.

Quick Weekend Golf Pace Tips That Actually Work

Sometimes the simplest changes make the biggest difference. Here are the quick wins that transformed my weekend golf experience:

The One-Club Rule: Take 2-3 clubs when you walk to your ball, especially around greens. "I usually take three clubs with me to my ball, even around the greens. When heading into the trees, I've made a habit of bringing clubs with different lofts".

The 20-Second Challenge: From the time you arrive at your ball to impact, aim for 20 seconds. "From club selection to pre-shot routine to execution, strive to hit your shot in 20 seconds when it is your turn to play".

The Green Exit Strategy: "Leave your clubs on the side of the putting green closest to the next tee, and leave the green promptly after holing out. Wait until the next tee to record your score".

The Provisional Rule: Any shot that might be lost or OB—hit a provisional. No exceptions, no "let me just take a quick look first."

The Ready Position: Always have your glove on, ball marked, and yardage known before it's your turn. As Kellie Stenzel advises: "I tell my students all of the time that they should never ask if they should tee off… just go!"

Key Takeaways for Faster Weekend Golf

After 25 years of weekend golf and countless rounds with my buddies, I've learned that pace of play isn't about rushing—it's about efficiency. The goal isn't to sprint through 18 holes; it's to eliminate the dead time that turns a fun 4-hour round into a frustrating 5-hour slog.

The most important thing to remember is that golfers identify pace of play as the No. 1 thorn in their side detracting from their enjoyment of the game. But the solution isn't complicated: play ready golf, be prepared for your shots, choose appropriate tees, and keep the group moving efficiently.

Remember, you're not just playing for yourself—you're part of a community of golfers all trying to enjoy their weekend rounds. When you play efficiently, you're making the game better for everyone on the course.

Here's the bottom line: implementing just a few of these strategies can easily shave 30-60 minutes off your weekend rounds without anyone feeling rushed. Your buddies will thank you, your family will appreciate getting you home on time, and you'll enjoy golf more when you're not constantly watching the clock.

The next time you're on the first tee, announce to your group: "Let's play some ready golf today and keep things moving." Trust me, everyone will appreciate the leadership, and you'll set the tone for a great round.

Frequently Asked Questions About Golf Pace of Play

How long should a round of golf take on weekends?
For a foursome on busy weekend courses, 4 to 4.5 hours is realistic. According to GOLF Top 100 Teachers, "For four players, target four hours", but weekend crowding often extends this to 4.5 hours or more.

What is ready golf and when should you use it?
Ready golf means hitting when you're ready and it's safe, rather than strictly following "farthest from hole goes first." Ready golf encourages players to hit when they are ready and it is safe to do so. Use it in casual rounds to improve pace.

How can I speed up my pre-shot routine?
Start your preparation while walking to your ball. Get your yardage while driving or walking to your ball, and be ready with club selection before arriving. Aim for 10-20 seconds over the ball.

What's the biggest cause of slow play on weekends?
Course crowding is the main factor. The only statistically significant variable in pace of play is how busy a course is. Poor cart management and inefficient habits compound the problem.

Should high handicap golfers pick up on difficult holes?
In casual rounds, yes. Pick up when you reach triple bogey to maintain pace. It is generally OK to pick up your ball and move on to the next hole if you are "out" of a hole and want to maintain pace of play.

How long should you search for a lost ball?
Three minutes maximum. Recent rules updates reduced search time from five to three minutes specifically to improve pace of play. Use this time limit religiously.

Related Weekend Golf Resources

Improve your weekend golf experience with these helpful guides:

Course Management Strategies for Weekend Warriors - Learn smart course management that saves strokes and time

How to Break 90 in Golf - Playing better golf naturally improves your pace

Best Golf Tips for Beginners - Essential fundamentals for new weekend golfers

Golf Course Strategy - Smart decision-making that speeds up play

How to Play Smarter Golf Without Changing Your Swing - Mental game improvements for better pace

Golf Mental Game - Stay focused and efficient under pressure

How to Bounce Back from a Bad Shot - Don't let bad shots derail your pace

Best Putting Drills - Improve your putting to spend less time on greens

Golf Etiquette - Proper etiquette includes good pace of play

How to Have Fun Playing Golf - Enjoy the game while playing efficiently

Golf Warm-Up Routine - Start your round ready to play efficiently

How to Maintain Consistency When You Only Play Weekends - Stay sharp for better pace

How to Stay Focused During a 4-Hour Round - Mental strategies for long rounds

How to Find Golf Buddies - Find playing partners who value good pace

Weekend Golfer Tips - Comprehensive guide for weekend warriors

Golf Rules and Etiquette - Know the rules that affect pace of play

How to Choose the Right Club Without a Range Finder - Quick club selection skills

How to Prepare for a Golf Tournament - Tournament pace strategies

Senior Golf Tips - Pace strategies for senior golfers

Stuck in a Golf Rut? Weekend Golfers to the Rescue!

Ever feel like the perfect swing is a cruel joke? Weekend Golfers feel your pain. We built our games from scratch, no natural talent, no endless lessons. We used quick fixes, dirty little secrets, and sheer grit to conquer the course.

But even Weekend Golfers have questions. That nagging slice? We've fought it. That impossible shot? We've (mostly) mastered it.

Here's where you come in.

What's the ONE question holding you back? Share your struggle in our 2-minute survey. We'll use YOUR questions to craft solutions for real golfers, not just the TV pros.

Break free from your golfing frustrations! Take the survey now!

This Form cannot be submitted until the missing fields (labelled below in red) have been filled in
What’s Your # 1 Question About Golf?
Please note that all fields followed by an asterisk must be filled in.
First Name*
E-Mail Address*
1. What’s your single most important question about golf?
2. Why would it make a difference in your life to get a good answer for this problem or find a solution for your need? (Details, please.)
3. How difficult has it been for you to find a good answer for the above to date?
Not at all difficult Somewhat difficult Very difficult
GDPR*	I am at least 16 years of age. I have read and accept the privacy policy. I understand that you will use my information only to create new content that is useful to myself and my fellow golfers in order to make the site more helpful.
Please complete the challenge that you see below.

About :: Privacy Policy :: Contact

GOLFEASER.COM - Copyright © - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED