We’ve all been in this situation before; you’re enjoying a round with friends but playing slightly slower than you should — because we all lose a ball from time to time — and in the corner of your eye, you spot a group behind you, waiting.
They’ve been on your tail for a while, and now you’re wondering: Should I let them play through?
It’s a common situation on the golf course, and whether you’re a longtime golfer or just starting out, knowing when to let a group play through is an essential part of golf etiquette — helping to keep up the pace of play and ensuring everyone enjoys their round.
Reasons to let others play through
Before we get into why, when and how to let someone play through, there is one main caveat to each of the points below.
As a rule of thumb, you should let a group play through if they have somewhere to go. But if the tee sheet is packed and everyone is being held up, there’s little benefit in letting them play through only to get stuck behind the next group. In such cases, the group behind will likely be aware of the hold-up. If not, you can explain why you’re not letting them through—since you’re also being held up.
With that said, some of the main reasons to let someone play through are:
1. You’re playing slowly
We’ve all had these days. Maybe you’re chatting away, practising your swing more than usual, or just dilly-daddling. If you find that you’re falling behind the expected pace, it’s courteous to let faster groups play through.
Courses often post signs with expected play times for each hole, so if you’re way behind the recommended timings, that’s your cue.
2. A single or two ball is stuck behind you
Singles or two balls (a group of two players) tend to play faster, especially if they’re more experienced or just out for a quick round.
Slower play can be frustrating for smaller groups who don’t want to spend their day waiting. If a single or two ball have been playing at a good pace, being held up on multiple holes can ruin the rhythm of things. So, if the course isn’t packed and there’s room ahead, wave them through at the earliest opportunity to keep things moving.
3. The group behind has been waiting consistently
If the group behind you has been waiting for more than two holes — and on each shot — it’s a clear sign that you’re holding them up. However, only wave them through if they’ve been waiting consistently, not just because of a brief delay on one hole.
When and how to let people play through
1. On the tee
The best way to let someone play through is on the tee. After finishing the previous hole, wait on the next tee box and allow the group behind to continue. This is an effective way to maintain the pace of play and keep things flowing.
2. In the fairway
If the group behind you hasn’t finished the hole by the time you’ve teed off, walk down the fairway but wave them through as soon as they’ve reached the tee box. Once they’ve accepted the offer to play through, move to the side of the fairway or into the rough so as not to endanger yourself from the flying golf balls.
3. On a par-3
Par-3s are the ideal opportunity to let groups through. As it’s a shorter hole, you can allow the group to play up and complete the hole before you tee off, giving the group ahead a hole leeway and preventing you from having to wait on the next tee.
Etiquette for playing through or letting someone play through
Now that you know when to let someone pass, let’s talk about how to do it. It doesn’t need to be overthought — a simple signal to wave them through or a quick verbal offer will do the trick. Here’s how to maintain the status quo on the course:
Don’t be annoyed: No moaning, eye-rolling, or passive-aggressive stares. Letting someone play through is part of the game — a brief, friendly wave is all it needs.
Express thanks: If you’re the group that gets waved through, be sure to acknowledge it. A quick “thank you” or “cheers” will do the job.
Don’t dawdle: Once you’re waved through, be sure to act efficiently. While you don’t need to rush like a maniac and subsequently score a triple-bogey under the immense pressure of playing through, you should hit your shots within a reasonable time and keep moving to avoid further delays. For example, don’t circle a six-foot putt for three minutes.
Courtesy, not a right
Although it might feel — as a single or fast-paced two ball — that you should be waved through at the earliest convenience, it’s important to remember that playing through is a courtesy rather than a strict golfing law.
That being said, with golf being a game of etiquette and tradition, playing through should be considered a common courtesy. Maintaining the pace of play and preventing a backup on the course keeps everyone happy.
So next time you’re out on the course and have a group waiting behind you for more than a hole, remember to be courteous and wave them through.
