PACE OF PLAY

Ask most avid golfers what they like least about their chosen sport and many (perhaps most) will point to slow play as No. 1 on their list.

One of the great challenges for public facilities such as CommonGround is creating a pace of play that will satisfy everyone. On a typical day we have foursomes with serious, experienced golfers sharing the course with those less talented and less experienced; we have walkers sharing it with those in carts; and we have those who crave a brisk pace and others who are in no hurry at all.

At CommonGround, we are seeking a pace of play that will be comfortable for the vast majority and one that will avoid the dreaded five-hour round. After our first year of operation, during which time we have had some days with a good pace and others where we admittedly didn't, and during which time we have studied the situation, CommonGround has established 4 hours, 30 minutes as our required pace of play.

When told this on the first tee, most have expressed approval but accomplishing it isn't as easy as liking it. It only take a few foursomes getting behind the pace to bring the entire course to a halt, which is why our player assistants will push along a slow group. We'd rather not have to ask a group to speed up but we are looking out for the enjoyment of the vast majority of those on the course.

If your group has been asked to speed up or if you think that 4:30 just is too darn fast, keep in mind that the difference between a 4:30 round and a five-hour day is a little less than two minutes a hole. Two minutes! After observing groups that have struggled to keep up -- and even groups that haven't -- it is obvious that two minutes a hole can be saved up by taking a few simple steps that many groups aren't currently taking.

• It all starts on the tee. With everyone together, conversation is natural, but often it lasts far past the time when the fairway ahead is open. Upon arriving at the tee, whoever is hitting first should tee his ball up immediately and be ready to go when the fairway clears. One member of the group should keep his eye on the fairway and announce when it is clear. Many groups waste two minutes a hole on the tee box alone.

• Play ready golf. Much time is wasted because golfers aren't preparing to hit while others are up. Proceed directly to your ball and study the shot while others are hitting so you are ready to pull the trigger when it is your turn. For those in carts, the tendency is to ride to one ball and wait for it to be hit before proceeding to the second. That alone can spell the difference between 4:30 and five hours. Let the first golfer take a club or clubs and have the second head to his or her own ball to prepare to hit.

• Watch your shot. When you hit a shot that is headed for deep rough, don't turn your head in disgust as is somewhat natural, watch it and try to line it up with something to improve your chances of finding the ball quickly.

• Limit ball searches. No one likes losing balls, but there are some spots where a long search is likely to be fruitless. If you hit it in the deep native grass, give it two minutes or three minutes and move on. We'd also prefer golfers to hit a provisional if they think they may have lost a ball as opposed to his or her returning to the tee, thus slowing down the entire course.  Or if they fail to hit a provisional, players should just play balls lost in the native as a lateral hazard and move on.

• Prepare for a quick departure. Much time is wasted because golfers leave bags or carts in spots that increase the time it takes to clear the green for the following group. The carts should be left on the cart path behind the green, making for a quick exit, while walkers should leave their clubs on the side of the green where the quickest departure is possible.

• No nonsense on the greens. Like in the fairway, far too many of us don't study their shot until it is our turn. Look over your putt and prepare while the others are putting so you are ready reasonably quickly when it is your turn. Also, if one player misses the green with his chip, the putting can begin while he proceeds to his next shot.