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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,955
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I subscribe to 3 monthly golf mags and every month they are full of more slow play debates, moans etc. it is a problem but I do have an issue with this from the other angle.
When I book a game it is a chance for me to relax, take my mind of work, get away from the kids etc so if I spend 3.5 or 5 hours on the course it doesn't bother me. If I have to be somewhere at, lets say, 7pm I wouldnt book a tee time for 4pm and run round.
I have over heard conversation about slow play and it is surprising how many times it is ended wih the " I had to get back as I was going out etc" not my problem really is it!
Now, this doesn't mean things on the course that delay me and others don't frustrate me such as leaving clubs miles away, placing wrong side of green, marking card on the green, taking a phonecall (phones should be banned from the course full stop in my book), dawdling around etc. there are loads.
These above obviously don't help the slow play debate but actually the problem here is etiquette. Yes some down to ignorance maybe due to new to the game and some times things happen ( you loose a ball and look up and somehow you're miles from your clubs) but to many of them are players just not thinking of others and its this that annoys me more. Not someone taking a little longer on a shot now and again or walking slower than I can because of age maybe. A little patience is required as well isn't it?
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Adam Peek
Handicap: 36
Essex
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 20
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I am in the slow play being a pain camp. In my opinion, if you're playing a familiar course a round shouldn't take more than 4 hours. A 4 hour round is the right balance of getting to each ball position without rushing having a social chat but still maintaining some rhythm in play.
I never cease to be amazed at the ignorance/stupidity/rudeness of some players though. Be it stopping to have a chat about their missed putt in the middle of the green, spending 10-15 minutes on each hole looking for their 25p golf ball or taking 5 or 6 practice swings before each shot where 99% of the time the practice swing resembles nothing like their actual swing and it's just a habit they do because they saw Tiger Woods do it once.....you're not Tiger Woods fella, one practice swing if you must then hit the fecking ball!
I'm sure I've seen on some courses time breakdowns of where you should be after X minutes. Seems like a good idea to me - although only to be used as a guide i.e. card says after X minutes you should be on hole 8 but you're only on hole 6 you'd know to speed up a little.
I had to knock playing cricket on the head as with a young family it wasn't fair for me to work all week then be out out of the house all day on a Saturday, I'd hate for golf to go in a similar way and therefore 5 1/2 - 6 hour rounds like you can have over at Hainault of a sunny summers day should be nipped in the bud before they become the norm.
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Judy Lilley
Handicap: 20
Kent
Pro Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 244
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I am a fast player. It's how I was taught. However, you are often in the hands of those in front - some who call you through, others who don't. There are some who don't call you through because there is nowhere to go; others who don't call you through because they think you will hold them up. If the course is mobbed with society play, then it's a given, but in that case, there should be marshalling going on, otherwise each group has to take responsibility for following the etiquette. Keep up with the group in front. Play ready golf wherever possible. If playing a friendly, gimmies need to be agreed within your group beforehand. Don't hold a group up behind for a tap in. Save time consuming medal play friendlies for when you are on a course playing millionaires golf. Simples.
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Steve 'The Powe...
Handicap: 21
Essex
Pro Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 288
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I like to play at a nice rhythm, and have found ways to speed up my own pace of play... for example I can save about 10 minutes per round by not replacing the driver head cover after each tee shot )just take it off at the start of the round and put it back on at the end). Walk the line of your ball and have the next shot in mind as you approach it...position the bag, trolley, cart to the right (for right handers) of the ball - still pointing in the general direction of where to go next... and close enough so that you don't have to walk backwards and forwards... I will usually have the chosen club to hand when approaching the ball (most times).
If practical - play your own ball first before helping to look for other people's difficult to locate balls...
On the greens, when you position trolley, bag , cart pointing to the next tee.. have a look at the green and plan your approach to the hole (or scrutinise your intended putt...) Be ready to play when it is your turn... nearest to the pin is in charge of the flag... last one in replaces the flag... Move off quickly to the next tee... then mark your card...
Go when ready and when safe to do so...
Simple things can save 30 minutes each round... and still not feel as though it is a race...
Lots of other tips as well... ask me sometime...
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,955
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I agree with what you have to say there Steve.
im not a slow player myself but I don't want to have to run round because the team behind is impatient but I am constantly aware of how I can save time by thinking ahead as you say.
i also think if they made the standard gap between tee times as 10 minutes and not 8 but I realise this is about money so not something clubs would be overly keen to adopt. I'm sure there are clubs that do 10 minutes anyway
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Judy Lilley
Handicap: 20
Kent
Pro Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 244
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Steve - Loving your last comments. I'm there. We should get a game sometime. Mr. Bolt - look out!
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Russell Middlet...
Handicap: 36
Essex
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 387
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I don't want to be rushing around the golf course, I'm playing golf for fun after all!
But I also don't want to be standing around like an idiot waiting to play every shot!
Stephen has already said most of the stuff I do.
'Ready Golf' is the way to go. Don't worry about the honour, let the shortest driver go first.
Be ready to play your shot as soon as the group in front our out of your way.
Another thing is 'Attitude'. Don't turn up at the golf club on a Sunday morning and except to fly around the course in three hours, it's not going to happen.
As long as pace of play keeps a nice steady pace then I'm fine with that.
I always tell my wife that the round will take five hours. It's not very often, even on a busy day that it will take five hours.
Russ
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Steve Maggs
Handicap: 0
Surrey
Pro Member
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I agree with the comments posted as all are valid points.
My view is simple,
- Always keep up with the game in front of you, it's that simple !!!
- Never drop a hole behind as that impacts the group following you, if you do speed up !!
- Know your own ability, if you can't reach a par 5 in two, lay up and don't waste time waiting for the green to clear
- If your playing stapleford pick up once you cant score
- Play a provisional ball if you go in to the rough, It will save time in the long run
- Be ready to play your shot, I see lots of players select the club they want to hit at the last minute, why ?
- Be decisive, changing your club selection based on another players selection normally always results in a poor result plus wastes more time
- If you play in a regular society encourage the slower players to speed up a little or don't let them play in the same group
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