From the Rules of Golf…Being Aware of Position on the Course
Players need to be aware of their group’s position on the course, and how they are impacting on the pace of play of other groups. The basic advice in this regard is that if a group keeps up with the group in front, the players in that group will rarely be accused of slow play. Players should always be looking forward ensuring that they are maintaining a good position in relation to the group in front. If ground has been lost on the group in front, then all the players in the group should take responsibility for making up that ground as quickly as possible. It is inevitable that there will be holes that take longer to play than would normally be the case, but the key is for the all the players in that group to ensure that the group gets back into position promptly.