Faster play and how to achieve it.

[Smiffy]

Used to play with a guy who was terribly slow. He was a nice enough bloke, but like most slow players wouldn't accept that he was the reason we had fallen two or three holes behind the group in front.
It got so bad that whenever we went on a day out, he was always put in the final group so as he wouldn't hold the rest of us up. Became a bit of a standing joke.
He was never ready to tee off. Three of us would go and his club would still be in the bag with the headcover on it. He would pace out the exact yardage back to his ball from the 150 yard markers, even though you could see from the other side of the fairway that he was 10 yards (give or take a foot or so) from them.
If it started raining and we needed to put our waterproofs on, he was always the one that was still faffing around in his bag looking for his gear whilst the rest of us were already suited up and walking on up the fairway. Used to drive up absolutely mad.

 

[Billysboots]

Stride off with purpose chatting as we approach the first ball, but if its not mine then is it ok to walk past his ball and find mine as long as I am not in line with his shot. Or would you want me to wait for you to take your shot?

One of THE biggest causes of slow play and one of my pet hates is seeing a 4-ball walk practically arm in arm round the course, all of them going to every ball. It is infuriating, unnecessary, and anyone caught doing it should be put up against a wall and shot.

When playing as a 4-ball there is nothing which says you all have to leave the tee together, never mind all walk down the fairway from the tee as a group. The first two ready to set off should go. Golf is a sociable game, certainly, but that does not mean sticking together like glue for 18 holes.

I have to say I find the fact that anyone who has played the game for any period of time has to ask how to keep up a reasonable pace is rather concerning. Most of it is common sense - you do not have to be taught to be ready to play when it's your turn, for example.

If everyone used a little common sense 5 hour rounds would become a thing of the past.

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

Use your common sense, play at your own pace but have consideration for those behind you, think about club selection as you are walking towards your ball, be ready, it does help if more than one person looks for a ball, put your bag in the right place around the greens ready for leaving to go to the next tee, be aware of who's shot is next, do not mark your card on the green, think about your next tee shot as you leave the previous green.

You dont have to rush but being prepared will save you time.

 

[Snelly]

Be ready to hit the ball when it is your turn to play. That is, be ready to swing the club just about immediately when it is your turn. This is different to starting to get ready to hit the ball when it is your turn. This and common sense are all it takes to ensure a decent place of play.