How to Kindly Explain on the Course, Furthest Away From Hole Plays Next, on the Green or Not?

[TapOut64]

I am amazed how many seasoned golfers still play that everyone has to be on the green before you play in order of furthest from the hole.  Do they not watch the PGA Tour or any tour for that matter?  Every round you will see someone putting while their playing partners are in the rough or green side bunker but closer to the hole than they are.  I tend to come across a bit harsh and am searching for a kind, even joking way to explain this situation.  I play a lot by myself so I see this all the time.  How do you explain this situation?

[saevel25]

Old habits. I routinely will say, "I will go". The thing that bothers me the most are those who do not prepare to hit while others are hitting. Like, get your club and yardage, or prep for your shot as long as you are not distracting the other person. 

[billchao]

I think it was a just matter of convenience when you had to remove the flagstick to have everyone on the green before removing just once per hole. Personally I prefer ready golf and I will play despite being closer to the hole than a partner if they’re not ready. The only time the order of play truly matters is in match play.

[kpaulhus]

Ready golf unless its match play or a tournament. 

[DaveP043]

1 hour ago, TapOut64 said:

I tend to come across a bit harsh and am searching for a kind, even joking way to explain this situation.

Its simple to say "You're away, but I'll chip on if you're not ready."  That kind of comment might start a conversation about the concept of "away first" where you can explain it further.  But its important to remember that it really doesn't matter in stroke play, there's (usually) no penalty for playing out of turn.  

[ChetlovesMer]

1 hour ago, saevel25 said:

Old habits. I routinely will say, "I will go". The thing that bothers me the most are those who do not prepare to hit while others are hitting. Like, get your club and yardage, or prep for your shot as long as you are not distracting the other person. 

THIS! Oh my goodness! THIS! THIS! THIS! 

 

1 hour ago, billchao said:

I think it was a just matter of convenience when you had to remove the flagstick to have everyone on the green before removing just once per hole. Personally I prefer ready golf and I will play despite being closer to the hole than a partner if they’re not ready. The only time the order of play truly matters is in match play.

This too. 

[Elmer]

2 hours ago, billchao said:

when you had to remove the flagstick

I have not removed a flag in years, even before the pandemic.
took too much time away from putting and moving on to the next hole.
 

Who has all day to spend on the course. I play ready golf and move on.....

[snapfade]

We play first man to his ball hits first regardless of where you are. Same goes on the tee, first man on the box hits first. No honors. Hit one in the bush, might as well hit another one, no one is going to help you look for it, unless they have hit in the same area. We usually are racing the storms so a lot of gentlemanly stuff gets tossed aside. Official tournaments, different story of course. Scenario based, attitudes of playing partners you might not know. There's always Mr. By the Book, who usually wears out his welcome by the 3rd or 4th hole. 

[colin007]

Ready golf or GTFO

 

Please tell me the OP isn't a stickler for going in order of who's farthest away for approach shots either....

[StuM]

My regular group plays “Ready Golf” so I do not see that.

I do think @DaveP043idea is good, it states who is away but also promotes ready golf,

Edited August 11, 2023 by StuM
Fixed spelling error

[DaveP043]

11 minutes ago, StuM said:

I do think @DaveP043idea is good, it states who is away but also promotes ready golf,

I play with a couple of guys who assume that everyone knows and agrees who is away, and will wait silently for their turn.  I'm a big believer in communication, and my suggestion is just another simple way to communicate.  I get the feeling, based on very little actual information, that @TapOut64 may be a little like my friend, standing silently but getting a little bit irritated each second as they "away" guy on the green waits for someone else to chip on from a closer position.  To me, life is a lot easier if we all just communicate.