‘Ready golf’ is a term used in stroke play golf only, which encourages golfers to play when they are ready to go if they can do so safely and it might assist with pace of play, rather than strictly following the procedure of “farthest from the hole should play first” under Rule 6.4b in the Rules of Golf. Indeed, you will now find ‘ready golf’ specifically mentioned in that Rule and many think we should now adopt ‘ready golf’ more often.
‘Ready golf’ is not appropriate in match play golf due to the strategy involved between opponents and the need to have a set method for determining which player plays first (hence you have no right to tap in an unconceded three-footer in match play if your opponent lies farther away). If you do, you may be asked to replace the ball and play again (at your opponent’s discretion).
There is, however, an exception under Rule 6.4a that you may agree with each other to play out of turn in match play to save time.
While ‘ready golf’ is now being actively encouraged at many clubs, players have to act sensibly to ensure that playing out of turn does not endanger other players.
4 examples of ready golf
* Hitting a shot when safe to do so if a player farther away faces a challenging shot and is taking time to assess their options
* Shorter hitters playing first from the tee or fairway if longer hitters have to wait
In ready golf, shorter hitters can go first off the tee in stroke play even if it’s not their honour
(Image credit: Future)
* Hitting a tee shot if the person with the honour is delayed in being ready to play
* Hitting a shot if a person who has just played from a bunker is still farthest from the hole but is delayed due to raking the bunker
In ready golf, someone else still nearer to the hole could play first while you rake the bunker
(Image credit: Future)
The R&A says there is strong evidence to suggest ‘ready golf’ does improve pace of play, quoting a survey conducted by Golf Australia, which showed that 94% of clubs that had promoted ‘ready golf’ to members had enjoyed some success in improving pace of play,…
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