Over the past month or so I have played with many different golfers. Some friends and some people I just met but they all had some things in common when it comes to not playing their best golf. The key similarity is none of them had a consistent pace for their own game.
When I say pace I am not talking about the pace of play for the golf course. Some days were slow waiting on groups ahead and on some the golf course was wide open. While many of the golfers did not have a consistent pre-shot routine that was not the main thing I saw leading to bad shots.
Some of these golfers got caught up talking then once they realized the group ahead was gone they hurried through their shot. Others would take their time on their shots only to hurry and up to their ball even if there was a group on the green they would have to wait on. Some went as far as finishing a hole before others got up to the green only to have to wait in the cart for the group ahead. Some were constantly working on their swing even going as far as to have training aids with them. I also saw some have a good routine and pace but once they got on the green they didn't take time to properly read a green or even take a practice stroke Some of the golfers that played quick also did not take their time on the putting green then after three-putting want to take extra putts after we finished the hole.
If any of that sounds like you then that could be why you are not playing your best golf and why you may have no consistency. Every golfer should develop their own pace. This does not necessarily mean slowing down, although I do think the majority of golfers are in too much of a hurry these days. Some people by nature do things at a quicker pace than others. This is only natural that when playing golf your own pace should fit your personality. Many of the golfers I played with were all worried about how long it took to play. None of the rounds of golf in this time frame were longer than four hours and fifteen minutes.
To find your own pace develop a pre-shot routine. One that is not too long but also not super quick. For example, once you get your yardage and select your club, two to three practice swings, step behind the ball to get your target, then step up to the ball, take a last look at the target, and swing away.
If you like to move quickly but need to wait on other golfers further away then walk up toward your ball and get your yardage. However, do not go ahead in front of other golfers. Stay to the side where you are not in their line of sight or the direction they are hitting. Walking up allows you to still be quick without playing too fast. If you take the cart then you are moving fast just to sit there. Leave the cart with the golfer behind you. This also leavees them the sand bottles to fill in their divots.
If you like to chat and carry on with friends just pay attention to when it's all clear ahead of you and take your time to hit your shot. Be ready to hit, but go through your normal routine at your pace. Don't get so caught up that you are not paying attention to others on the course only to rush through hitting your next shot.
Lastly when a golfer plays at a pace that is inconsistent it may also affect other golfers. If one golfer is hurrying through shots getting up to the green when others still need to hit their approach the other golfers may consider that inconsiderate and affect how they play. The same is said for golfers that are lollygagging around when they should be ready to hit their shot. If every golfer found their own pace and went through this for their entire round of golf then all golfers would not only possibly play better but hey would all have a better time on the golf course.
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