Have more fun playing golf

According to the United States Golf Association, only 15% of golfers have established a handicap and post scores. Those golfers should play by the Rules of Golf. The other 85% of golfers may benefit from relaxed rules to make the game more enjoyable and help speed the pace of play. Golf is losing players because the rules can be too difficult for many recreational golfers.

Embrace the social aspect of the game. Golf should be about building relationships with your fellow golfers. It is one of the few games where you can laugh, share conversations and experiences, and support your playing partners.

I have interviewed many of my students and asked what would make golf more fun. They also offered suggestions for speeding up the pace of play. I came up with the following casual rules to create a less-pressured game and improve the pace of play. These suggestions should be used only if you are not posting a score for handicap purposes.
• Choose the teeing ground that makes the game more enjoyable.
• Create your own personal par for each hole.

• Allow one mulligan anywhere on the course every nine holes. Beginners may choose to allow additional mulligans.
• Beginners may tee the ball up in the fairway.
• Pick up your ball once you reach double par on a hole. For example, pick up after an 8 on a par-4 hole.
• Concede all putts inside the length of your putter grip.
• Improve unfortunate lies, such as in a divot, in a footprint in a bunker, or against a tree root.

• Assess a one-stroke penalty for all penalty situations, then drop the ball near where it was lost, went out of bounds or entered a penalty area.
• Limit searches for a lost ball to two minutes. Most golfers spend too much time looking for lost balls.
• Use a “hand wedge” after two unsuccessful attempts to escape a bunker.
• Always play ready golf, even if you are not farthest from the hole, provided it is safe to do so.
• Keep score using these modified rules to track your improvement over time

Adopting some of these suggestions can make golf more enjoyable. You can spend more time enjoying your playing partners and the scenery on the course.

As the saying goes, “A bad day on the golf course is better than a good day at work.”

Dr. Jean Harris is an LPGA Master Professional and teaches at local golf courses. jean.golfdoctor.harris@gmail.com; golfdoctorjean.com.