What Happens If I'm Late for My Tee Time?

Question: What Happens If I'm Late for My Tee Time?

(Note: This FAQ refers to friendly rounds of golf - making tee times to play a round of golf. In tournament play, missing your tee time usually gets you disqualified.)

Answer: If you miss your tee time, you might just be out of luck.

When you make a tee time with a golf course, you are making an appointment to begin your round of golf at the allotted time. Let's say your tee time is 10 a.m. That means:

1. The golf course has made a promise to hold that 10 a.m. tee time for you, ensuring you can start your round at the time.
2. And you have made a promise to the golf course that you will be there in time to begin your round at 10 a.m.

Golf courses allot tee times in regular intervals, typically from 7-10 minutes apart, in order to keep golfers organized and moving. When golfers are late getting to the course, the course doesn't suddenly stop the process. Nobody in the pro shop is saying, "Hey, Fred has a 10 a.m. tee time but he's not here yet. Tell everyone we're going to have to wait for Fred to show up."

Nope, Fred just blew it. If your tee time is 10 a.m., and you don't show up until 10:20, you're just another golfer who is showing up without a tee time.

The golf course will try to fit you in, but because you failed to keep your appointment you're now just another golfer waiting for a spot to open up.

So don't miss your tee time. If you have that 10 a.m. tee time, then get to the course in time to tee off at 10 a.m.!

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