Tips to avoid slow play on the Fairway

Do not take an excessive number of practice swings.

Players should generally be more aware of what is going on around them. It may well be appropriate to quicken your pace if you notice the players behind waiting on every shot whereas you are not waiting for any of yours.

Walk briskly between shots and if possible decide which club to use for your next shot before you reach your ball.

Be ready to play when it’s your turn, even out of turn if the way ahead is clear and safe and with agreement from playing partners.

Watch the shots of others members of your group as well as your own.

If you play a bad shot and suspect that the ball might be lost, play a provisional just in case.

Keep an extra ball in your pocket so you don't have to walk back to your bag if you need to hit a provisional.

Take a maximum of five minutes looking for a lost ball. Only the player whose ball is lost should search whilst others play their shots.

Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found. They should not search for five minutes before doing so.

In social games where the course is busy, limit searches for lost balls to three minutes.

When driving a buggy, drop your partner at his/her ball, then continue to yours.

If one of your partners has played from a bunker but is still further away from the hole than you, offer to rake the bunker for him, so he can play his next shot quickly.

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