Stop Wasting Time on the Golf Course: How to Play Faster and Play Better

Let’s be honest. Nobody likes waiting around on the golf course. It’s boring. It’s frustrating. And it’s probably costing you strokes. We’ve all seen those guys, right? Standing over the ball like they’re defusing a bomb. Taking forever. Meanwhile, you’re just tapping your foot, staring at the sky, wondering if you’ll ever get to hit your shot. It’s a damn shame. But what if I told you there’s a better way? A way to play faster, play better, and actually enjoy your round? It’s not magic. It’s just smart play. And guess what? Some of the best players in the world are doing it. They’re not just fast; they’re efficient. They’re getting it done. And you can too.

Think about it. How much time do you really spend hitting the ball? Not that much, right? Most of your time is spent walking, waiting, thinking. Overthinking. If you can shave off some of that wasted time, you’ll not only speed up play, but you might just play better because you’re more focused. Less time to get in your own head. Less time to let those negative thoughts creep in. It’s a win-win. And it’s not about being reckless. It’s about being smart. It’s about having a plan. A simple plan.

The “Just Hit It” Mentality: Why Less Thinking Can Be More Golf

You know that feeling? Standing over the ball, second-guessing every single decision. Should I take a 7-iron? Or an 8? What about that tree? Is the wind really blowing that hard? It’s enough to make anyone’s head spin. And it’s usually when you start making mistakes. Careless mistakes. The kind that cost you strokes. Players who are lightning fast on the course often have a secret weapon: they simplify.

Take a guy like Dylan Menante. This dude is flying through his rounds on the Korn Ferry Tour. He’s topping the charts for pace of play. And he’s not just fast; he’s playing damn good golf. His philosophy? Keep it simple. What side of the green am I aiming for? What kind of shot do I need? What’s the yardage? That’s it. No overthinking. No dwelling. Just a clear objective and a commitment to execute.

Why does this work? Well, think about your own game. How many times do you actually hit that perfect shot? Be honest. Even the pros, the best ball-strikers in history, only hit a couple of perfect shots a round. So why spend all that time agonizing over a shot that’s probably not going to be perfect anyway? It’s a waste of mental energy. It’s a waste of time. And it’s probably making you anxious.

Instead of stressing about every possible outcome, focus on your target and commit. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare. You absolutely should. But once you’ve made your decision, trust it. Go with it. And be okay with the result, whatever it may be. This mindset shift is huge. It frees you up. It allows you to play with more confidence and less fear.

The Art of the Routine: Efficient, Not Endless

We all know routines are important in golf. They help us get into a rhythm, focus our minds, and prepare for each shot. But there’s a fine line between a helpful routine and a time-sucking ritual. And most golfers, bless their hearts, wander way over that line.

What’s Menante’s take? He acknowledges that routines are crucial, but he questions how much time we truly need to spend on them. If you’re only going to hit a couple of dialed-in shots per round, why get bogged down in an elaborate pre-shot routine for every single swing? It’s a fair point, isn’t it? You’re not going to hit a perfect shot every time, so why treat every shot like it’s the 18th hole on Sunday?

The key here is efficiency. A good routine should be concise and purposeful. It should help you get set up and ready to swing, not lull you into a coma. It’s about finding that sweet spot between being adequately prepared and being so bogged down in the process that you lose your momentum and your confidence.

So, what makes a routine efficient? It’s about having a clear sequence of actions that you perform consistently. This might include:

• Assessing the lie and lie of the land: A quick look to understand the conditions.
• Visualizing the shot: Seeing the ball flight and where you want it to land and roll.
• Selecting the club: Making a decisive choice based on yardage and conditions.
• Taking a practice swing: Feeling the tempo and swing path.
• Addressing the ball and executing: Committing to the shot.

The trick is to make this sequence smooth and quick. Don’t rush through it like you’re being chased by a bear, but also don’t dawdle like you’ve got all day. It’s about finding your personal rhythm that allows for focus without excessive delay. If you find yourself taking five minutes to decide on a club, you’ve got a problem. And that problem is making everyone around you miserable.

The Balance: Playing Fast Without Playing Recklessly

This is where a lot of people get it wrong. They think playing fast means just hacking away at the ball and hoping for the best. That’s not playing fast; that’s playing stupid. And it usually leads to more mistakes, not fewer.

Menante touches on this dilemma: the constant tug-of-war between playing quickly and playing well. Play too fast, and you miss crucial details, leading to careless errors. Play too slow, and you get anxious, your mind races with all the things that could go wrong, and you start to choke.

The goal, then, is to find that delicate balance. It’s about being deliberate without being dawdling. It’s about being decisive without being impulsive. This requires a level of self-awareness and discipline that many golfers simply haven’t developed.

How do you find this balance? It starts with understanding your own tendencies. Are you naturally a quick player who needs to slow down just a touch to ensure accuracy? Or are you a notorious dawdler who needs to pick up the pace and commit to your shots? Be honest with yourself.

Once you know your tendencies, you can start to build a routine that supports the right pace for you. For those who play too slowly, it might mean setting internal timers for certain parts of your routine. For those who play too quickly, it might mean consciously pausing for an extra second or two to confirm your target and club selection.

It’s also about understanding the context of the hole. Some holes demand more thought and precision than others. A short par-4 with water on both sides requires more careful consideration than a wide-open par-5. Adjust your pace accordingly, but always strive for efficiency.

The Data Doesn’t Lie: Fast Play and Good Golf Can Coexist

It’s easy to dismiss fast play as just a novelty, a way for some players to get around the course quicker. But the numbers speak for themselves. Menante isn’t just fast; he’s consistently near the top of the leaderboards. He’s proving that you don’t have to sacrifice good play for good pace.

Consider his performance on the Korn Ferry Tour. He’s leading in several pace-of-play categories: overall, off the tee, around the green, and on the green. He’s also second in approach shots. These are not insignificant metrics. And where does this translate on the scorecard? He’s ranked eighth in strokes gained total. That’s elite company. He’s seventh in the points standings. That means he’s on track to earn a PGA Tour card.

This isn’t a fluke. This is evidence. Evidence that a focused, efficient approach to the game can lead to both speed and success. If you’re still stuck in the mindset that playing fast is somehow detrimental to your game, it’s time to reconsider. It’s time to look at players who are proving the doubters wrong.

Why is this happening? When you play faster, you’re often more present. You’re not dwelling on past mistakes or worrying about future ones. Your mind is focused on the task at hand. This heightened focus can lead to better decision-making, cleaner swings, and ultimately, lower scores. It’s like a positive feedback loop.

Think about it from a mental perspective. When you’re waiting around for 10 minutes between shots, your mind has plenty of time to wander. It can conjure up every bad shot you’ve ever hit. It can convince you that you’re going to duff your next chip. But when you’re moving with purpose, your mind is occupied with the immediate action. This mental engagement can be incredibly beneficial.

Furthermore, playing quickly can often lead to a more relaxed state. When you’re not feeling the pressure of a slow group behind you or the anxiety of holding up play, you can simply play golf. This relaxed state is conducive to better rhythm and tempo in your swing, which are critical for solid ball-striking.

Putting It Into Practice: How You Can Speed Up Your Game

So, how do you translate this into your own game? It’s not about changing your entire swing overnight. It’s about making small, strategic adjustments to your approach. Here are some practical steps:

• Commit to your target: As soon as you’ve assessed the situation, pick your target and commit. Don’t second-guess.
• Streamline your pre-shot routine: Identify the essential steps and stick to them. Eliminate unnecessary fluff.
• Be decisive with club selection: Have a system for choosing clubs and trust it. Don’t agonize.
• Walk with purpose: When you’re moving between shots, walk with a sense of urgency. Don’t stroll.
• Prepare for your next shot while others are playing: If it’s safe and appropriate, start thinking about your next shot while the group ahead is playing. This is especially useful on the tee or fairway.
• Practice with a purpose: When you’re at the driving range or practice green, don’t just hit balls aimlessly. Work on your routine and your speed. Try hitting a ball, then immediately moving to the next one with a focused intent.
• Embrace imperfection: Understand that not every shot will be perfect. And that’s okay. Focus on making playable shots and moving on.

It might feel strange at first. You might feel like you’re rushing. But with practice, you’ll find a comfortable pace that allows you to play efficiently and effectively. Think of it as training your golf brain to be more decisive and less anxious. It’s a skill that will pay dividends on the course, not just in terms of speed, but in terms of your overall enjoyment and performance.

Don’t let slow play be the reason you dread heading to the course. Take a page from the pros who are proving that speed and skill go hand in hand. Start simplifying, start committing, and start playing faster. You might be surprised at how much better your game becomes, and how much more you enjoy every single round. It’s time to stop wasting time and start playing golf.