The bane of every golfer is to be stuck behind some slow playing group. Not only does this extend the time to finish your round, it can disrupt your momentum and if it creates enough agitation, even ruin your game.

So what is slow play? There is a lively discussion over on the GolferChronicles.com about this very subject. How long is too long? A round of golf should be playable within four hours. Some will desire to play at a faster pace but if a course is popular and it’s a weekend, the fact is that 3 1/2 - 4 hours is pretty reasonable.

If you are out for a social round please keep in mind just few play practices that can keep your rate of play at a good speed.

• Shoot from the tees appropriate to your skill level. If you can’t drive the ball 300 yards, don’t play from the black tees.
• Don’t spend more than two or three minutes looking for your ball in the rough.
• When using carts, two to a cart, drop one player off at his ball and immediately drive over close to yours. Thus you are ready to shoot right after he does.
• Don’t spend more than a couple minutes with the cart girl - no matter how cute she is.

I think you’ll find that just a few considerations like this can dramatically shorten your round.