- Traditional honor system – This involves players hitting according to their score on the previous hole. Best score first, worst score last. Played this way from the dawn of time, it is also the slowest method, so not one I really favour, unless the game is Match Play, where it is one of the rules of golf to have the winner of the previous hole play first.
- Player rotation – This can be done in many ways, either with a rotation on each hole, or over a number of holes. I have played with the later, where there were two players, one teed off on the first nine, whilst the second teed off on the back nine. Again not the fastest way to play.
- Shortest hitter first – Usually my preferred method. Having played with a group for many years, where I was the longest hitter, it worked out well that I was always last. This allowed the other players to hit, knowing they could not reach the group in front. By the time it was my turn the group had moved on out of danger, allowing us to keep up quite easily.
- Whoever is ready – First player to the tee box hits, unless they can reach the group in front of course. Which should mean the shortest hitter steps up. This is the best method, allowing play to continually flow
Ways not to start the hole, is having everyone stand around seeing who will hit first. I have been in this situation on a couple of occasions, so I won’t hesitate to take the initiative and tee off. Sometimes there is a few sideways looks, but no point standing around watching the grass grow. One other thing I like to do is not mark the card at the tee. This is done usually whilst waiting for playing partners to putt out on the green, ensuring a smooth transition between holes.
Now this isn’t to say I am the fastest player in the World, Certainly have come across a few who treat playing the game as a 100 meter sprint. I’m more an 800 meter runner. Move along at a quick pace, but have the energy to still play the shot and take in the surrounds.
