CALVIN'S TIP
Calvin's Golf Tip
Improve Your Pace of Play
I’m standing here during Round 2 of the Sunshine Tour Qualifying School, and one thing that has really stood out over the last couple of days is how strict they are with pace of play.
Officials are out there making sure players stick to their allotted times, ensuring everyone finishes on time and that the round remains enjoyable for all.
And it really got me thinking — we can definitely do more at Krugersdorp Golf Club to improve our pace of play. If we move a bit quicker, no one is left waiting, and it makes the experience far more enjoyable for everyone on the course.
So today, I’ve got four simple tips that can help you speed up your round and improve pace of play.
Tip number one: Play ready golf.
Right from the first tee box, set the tone with your fourball. Agree to play ready golf — meaning if you’re ready to hit, go ahead, even if it’s technically not your turn. A quick “I’m going to play” keeps things flowing. Saving even a few minutes every few holes really adds up over a full round.
Tip number two: Limit your search time.
You only have three minutes to look for a lost ball. I know golf balls aren’t cheap — but they’re not a wedding gift either! If you can’t find it within that time, move on. Chances are, someone behind you will find it anyway. Keep things moving.
Tip number three: Know when to pick up.
If you’ve reached the point where you can no longer score on a hole, it’s time to pick up. Let your playing partners finish while you reset mentally for the next hole. You can always work on your swing between shots — but don’t hold up play.
Tip number four: Be prepared.
This is a big one, especially when using a golf cart. Too often, players ride together to one ball and both wait while one person hits. Instead, drop your partner off at their ball with a club, then head to yours. While they’re hitting, you should already be checking your yardage and selecting your club so you’re ready to play immediately.
I really hope these tips help. At the end of the day, better pace of play makes the game more enjoyable for everyone out there.
Have an awesome round, and we’ll give you an update once the tournament wraps up!
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW?
How Well Do You Know?
Embedded Ball Relief
With all the recent rain, we’re seeing more plugged lies and embedded balls on the course — and over the next few months, knowing the difference can save you a penalty.
In the video, we show two common scenarios:
👉 Ball 1:
At first glance, it looks like a great lie. But once lifted, you can clearly see it’s in its own pitch mark, where the ball has broken the surface of the ground and part of it sits below ground level. ✅ This ball is entitled to free relief.
👉 Ball 2:
This one looks much worse — buried deep in the grass. However, when lifted, you’ll see it has not broken the surface of the ground. There’s no crater, just a tough lie in the rough. ❌ Unfortunately, this ball is not entitled to relief and must be replaced, replicating the original lie.
Understanding when you can and can’t take relief is really important, especially in wet conditions. Hopefully this helps you make the right call on the course in the weeks ahead.
Wishing everyone an awesome festive season, good luck with your golf, and we hope to see you out on the fairways soon!