Pace of play continues to be the issue that frustrates golfers more than any other. Nobody enjoys taking five hours to play 18 holes. Here we have some simple tips to follow that are designed to speed up the game. None of it is rocket science and we would like to think that most of us are already doing most of this.

Make sure that you are on the tee ready to play at least 5 minutes before your start time.

Play Ready Golf whenever it is safe to do. Ready Golf is a common term used in stroke play (not MatchPlay), which advocates that players should play when they are ready to do so, rather than following traditions of “the honour” or “farthest from the hole should play first”.

Shorter hitters to play first if long hitters have to wait on the group in front to move further down the fairway.

If someone in your group hits an errant shot, watch it closely to pinpoint its location. Help others search for balls when it's convenient – close to your ball, for instance – and move on when it's not.

Walk to your ball if it is safe to do so even if it ahead of your opponents ball.

Plan your next shot while walking to your ball or while others are playing.

Play a provisional ball if you think your original ball may be lost (unless that you know it is in a water hazard.

Keep up with the group in front; wave other groups through if you are more that a hole adrift of the group in front or a looking for lost balls.

Line up your putts whilst others are putting providing that you are not interfering with their game.

Leave your clubs on the side of the green nearest to the next tee, leave the green as quickly as possible so as not to hold up the group behind.

Always mark your scorecards away from the green that you have just played so as not to hold up the group behind.