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New Sun Lakes Country Club canvas totes (with zipper) make great gifts and are in the Pro Shop just in time for the holidays. Perfect for travel, the pool/ beach or shopping and priced at only $15. Dec. 9, 9 am or 10:30 am: Sand Play Dec. 13, 9 am or 10:30 am: Putting Dec. 16, 9 am or 10:30 am: Chipping/Pitching Classes are one hour in length, two staff members per group max 10 spots each clinic Cost: $10 cash or check due the day of sign up. Please sign up in the Main Pro Shop. By Al Vallecorsa, PGA Director of Golf Playing at a better pace is not about hurrying up or rushing around the course. It is simply about being more efficient not only with your valuable time but also with everyone else's. Adopting this mindset and sharing it with your fellow players will ultimately add enjoyment to your golf experience. Here are some recognized tips for improving pace of play: TEE IT FORWARD unless you are consistently able to reach greens in regulation from the back tees. In other words, play from a set of tees that is comfortable for you - one where you are more likely to hit lofted irons into greens instead of hybrids or fairway woods. It is acceptable for players in the same group to play from different tees. TRY ALTERNATE FORMS OF PLAY TO SPEED UP YOUR ROUND Match play, Stableford, Best-Ball, and other formats are easy and fun alternatives to individual stroke play because not every player has to hole out on every hole. MINIMIZE YOUR TIME ON THE TEE On the tee it is usually acceptable for players to hit when ready. You can also save time by playing a provisional ball if you think your original ball might be lost or out of bounds. PLAN YOUR SHOT BEFORE YOU GET TO YOUR BALL Once you are off the tee, think ahead. Determine your yardage and make your club selection before it is your turn to play. Very often, you can do this without disruption while others are playing. If you take your glove off between shots, have it back on before it is your turn to play. Even a small step like this saves time. KEEP YOUR PRE-SHOT ROUTINE SHORT Pick your line of play once and trust yourself. Try to take no more than one practice swing, then set up to the ball and play your shot. Most importantly, be ready to hit when it is your turn. Be efficient after your shot, too. AIM TO PLAY IN 20 SECONDS From club selection to pre-shot routine to execution, strive to hit your shot in 20 seconds when it is your turn to play. DEVELOP AN EYE FOR DISTANCE You don't have to step off yardage for every shot. If you need to determine precise distance, try and find a yardage marker before you reach your ball, then step off the yardage on your way to the ball. Or, consider investing in an electronic rangefinder or GPS. WHEN SHARING A CART, USE A BUDDY SYSTEM Don't wait in the cart while your cart mate hits and then drive to your ball. Get out and walk to your ball with a few clubs. Be ready to play when it is your turn and then let your cart mate pick you up. Or, drive to your ball after you drop your cart mate off and then pick him or her up after you hit. BE HELPFUL TO OTHERS IN YOUR GROUP Follow the flight of all tee shots, not just your own. Once in the fairway, help others look for their ball if you already know the location of yours. Volunteer to fill in a divot or rake a bunker for another player if needed. Be ready to attend the flagstick for others. KEEP UP WITH THE GROUP IN FRONT OF YOU Your correct position on the course is immediately behind the group in front of you, not immediately in front of the group behind you. If you are consistently unable to keep up and a gap opens in front of you, invite the group behind you to play through, regardless of the number of players in the group. BE EFFICIENT ON THE PUTTING GREEN Mark your ball and lift and clean it when you arrive at the putting green so you will be ready to replace it when it is your turn to play. You can usually line up your putt while others are putting without disturbing them. Leave your clubs on the side of the putting green closest to the next tee or where the golf carts are parked, and leave the green promptly after holing out. Wait until the next tee to record your score. Remember that picking up your ball is permitted by the USGA Handicap System. As always, please feel free to contact the golf shop with any questions, comments or feedback. I hope you enjoy the golf course, the club and the camaraderie of each other. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to the rest of 2016. Improving Pace of Play on the Course GOLF CLINICS | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | DECEMBER 2016 |15

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