---
title: "Rule of the Month: Order of Play/Ready Golf"
description: "NCGA Rule of the Month: Order of Play/Ready Golf"
---

<https://blog.ncga.org>

# [Rule of the Month: Order of Play/Ready Golf](https://blog.ncga.org/rule-of-the-month-order-of-play/ready-golf)

 Written by [Jerry Stewart](https://blog.ncga.org/author/jerry-stewart) | Sep 1, 2020 3:23:36 PM

 

### **Topic Overview**:

When starting a hole, generally the player with the lowest score on the previous hole plays first. After starting a hole, the ball farthest from the hole is usually played first. However, the Rules encourage “ready golf” to help improve pace of play as long as it is done in a safe and responsible manner.

In four-ball play, you and your partner can play in whatever order you think is best when it is your side’s turn to play.

### **FAQs**:

- ### Playing Out of Turn to Save Time
  
  **Q**.Can I play out of turn to save time?
  
  **A**.The answer depends on the form of play. In stroke play, you may play ready golf in a safe and reliable way. In match play, you and your opponent may agree that one of you will play out of turn for a particular stroke to save time (see Rule 5.6b(2)).
- ### Player and Partner May Play in Any Order

**         Q**.Can my partner and I play in whatever order we choose?

**         A**.Yes. In four-ball play, partners may play in whichever order they see fit (see Rule 23.6).

[View full post](https://blog.ncga.org/rule-of-the-month-order-of-play/ready-golf)

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