The Balancing Act Called Pacing

What is a good pace for a golf game? This is a typical question that seems to be widely overlooked by many.

You see, a typical round of golf can last up to four and a half hours. That’s 18 holes and 7,000 plus yards of walking over various terrain. That may seem like a long time. But in reality, that isn’t much. In fact, one should only stay a few minutes per hole.

The reason why some golf games seem to last that long is because players tend to take too long per hole. Or even worse, they tend to stay forever just taking one shot. Yes, we’ve told you to study you shot. But sometimes, this is what causes games to slow down.

This is one of the predicaments a lot of golfers find themselves in. How to thoroughly study shots without taking a lifetime. Take heart. We have some tips on what makes a good pace for a round of golf, so get put on your golf clothing for men and read up:

1. It basically involves balance. While we said that studying those shots can slow down the game, sometimes this is needed. It is advisable for players to “stand around” once in a while when at those holes. This allows the muscles to cool down. Brisk paced games on the other hand, loosens up those muscles. So take the time to rest, but not too long. A good thing you can do is to use that rest period to study your shot. It is sort of like “hitting two birds with one stone”. As for how long you should rest, a minute or two should suffice. Hopefully, this will likewise allow you to take a good shot.
2. Another way to set your pace is to check how fat or slow the other groups are moving. If you notice the group in front puling away, it would then an excellent idea to speed up a bit. By the same token, that group behind you may likewise be catching up. This is your cue to either speed it up or let them, through. Just be mindful of others on the course.
3. When unsure of the right pace, simply remember two words: be prepared. This means being ready to take that shot when your turn comes. Or even taking the shot if your turn comes up rather early. This can happen if say, a teamate’s ball gets stuck somewhere in a tree. Or something to that effect.

So learn to anticipate those shots and look downrange early on. Don’t wait for your turn to do this. But at the same time, take the time to relax. After all, the game of golf is supposed to be a relaxing sport. Just remember, its all in the balance.