I play solo 18 hole rounds quite alot. Without people in front of me or the mowers holding me up, I get around in about 2.5 hours. A couple observations of slow players (or groups)...If you spend more than 2 minutes looking for a ball in the weeds you're wasting others time. Drop a ball, take a stroke or two and keep going. If you're in a group, watch each other hit (especially tee shots!), you'll lose fewer balls. Don't play honors on the green, line up your shot, hit your shot, get off the green...don't you have a tee shot to be thinking about? "yeah, but I have a 1 footer for birdie"...then tap it in already! NEVER play honors from the teebox. Do not let your mind wander, think ahead to your next shot, most importantly is where you are trying to get your next shot to go.

georgelohr wrote:

Don't play honors on the green, line up your shot, hit your shot, get off the green...

For the sake of clarity...

I adhere to the rules of "playing out" when on the green. Furthest from the pin goes first. This does a couple of thigs. First and foremost, it allows me extra time to line up my shot. Sorry...but as someone who has missed one-foot birdie putts in the past, I make dang sure they go in the hole. Plus, the most important aspect to green play is being allowed the opportunity to see others line up their putts. This easily knocks at least a stroke, possibly two, off of an 18-hole round. Putting it plainly...I refuse to putt unless I'm the furthest from the pin.

bjohn13 wrote:

georgelohr wrote: Don't play honors on the green, line up your shot, hit your shot, get off the green... For the sake of clarity... I adhere to the rules of "playing out" when on the green. Furthest from the pin goes first. This does a couple of thigs. First and foremost, it allows me extra time to line up my shot. Sorry...but as someone who has missed one-foot birdie putts in the past, I make dang sure they go in the hole. Plus, the most important aspect to green play is being allowed the opportunity to see others line up their putts. This easily knocks at least a stroke, possibly two, off of an 18-hole round. Putting it plainly...I refuse to putt unless I'm the furthest from the pin.

I agree with with you Big John, the only time Ill putt ahead of time is when Im playing with someone who is having a real tough time getting to the green and Im waiting and have marked, lined up, practice stroked, and they are still not on the green. Sometimes I will opt not to putt out if I think my opponent might have a "choke putt" when Im playing with someone who is giving me their "Shooter McGavin" attitude...

Lerxst wrote:

bjohn13 wrote: georgelohr wrote: Don't play honors on the green, line up your shot, hit your shot, get off the green... For the sake of clarity... I adhere to the rules of "playing out" when on the green. Furthest from the pin goes first. This does a couple of thigs. First and foremost, it allows me extra time to line up my shot. Sorry...but as someone who has missed one-foot birdie putts in the past, I make dang sure they go in the hole. Plus, the most important aspect to green play is being allowed the opportunity to see others line up their putts. This easily knocks at least a stroke, possibly two, off of an 18-hole round. Putting it plainly...I refuse to putt unless I'm the furthest from the pin. I agree with with you Big John, the only time Ill putt ahead of time is when Im playing with someone who is having a real tough time getting to the green and Im waiting and have marked, lined up, practice stroked, and they are still not on the green. Sometimes I will opt not to putt out if I think my opponent might have a "choke putt" when Im playing with someone who is giving me their "Shooter McGavin" attitude...

I do agree that I will occasionally put when I'm not the farthest when an opponent who is farther out is far from ready. Usually, that person who is struggling to get on the green is me, though, so this doesn't come up very often.

I usually walk if I'm playing alone and have a drive cart come upon me I do tend to let them play(If its a 2some)through me. We'll even tee off the hole together and the move on to they're ball as the carts are faster. I do tend to like take my time if I'm alone. I'm in no hurry to finish a round.