[katezbox]

I think good golf goes back to "The Golden Rule" or "What I learned in Kindergarten."

1. If you are new to TV or the game - go to good golf school

2. Think about how you like it when you have to wait and wait at tee boxes. Yes (some) are retired - but it is no fun playing when you feel there are others breathing dson your neck.

3. Follow the pace of play for the course - when I play with novices, I ask them to pick up once they are 2 - 3 shots over par (on the 4's and 5's). Then they can put out with the rest without causing undue delay. Hacienda is much shorter than Palmer and should play more quickly.

4. If you are a beginner, start with the easier execs and play in the afternoon. That way id you fall behind, you can skip a hole and it costs you nothing.

5. Try to keep pace with those in front of you. However, having said that, you may have a two- or three-some ahead of you. I think if you are at or faster than the pace of play that you need not pick up your ball. I know some of you disagree - but IMHO pace of play is the goal, keeping up is a quick pulse check to ensure you are doing just that.

6. You can speed up play by having your club ready, your shot in mind and your eyes on the balls that all of your group hits to minimize time in looking for lost balls.

Remember - holding people up, if you are slower than the pace of play, is rude. We finished Orange Blossom last week in 4:01 - we were sometimes on pace with the threesome ahead of us, and occasionally they were a bit ahead. We had to wait on 1 or 2 holes. We were hit into a number of times... that is REALLY rude!