15 seconds is a long time...

[Hobbit]

Once again the debate about slow play raises its head above the parapet. Should formats be changed to accommodate "ready golf," or does the need for education run a lot deeper? Tweaking the way we play the game will only go a small way to recovering some of the time lost out on the course.

If only one player takes an extra 15secs per shot in an 80 shot round he will have added 20 mins to the round of that group - in effect over one hole dropped to the group in front. In reality, he may be slow tee to green but rush his putts only for another player in that group be slow on the greens. All you need to for two players to take that little bit longer and half an hour/two holes are lost.

We all know what constitutes slow play but none of us are guilty of it. Quick players cite x,y,z and slower players point fingers and ask why would someone want to run around a golf course. Personally, I don't care if you want a 5 hour round but I would ask that you consider the pace of play of the group behind you. If they are quicker than you, let them through and then everyone can enjoy their game at the pace they prefer. As for the excuse that is becoming more prevalent, "they've got nowhere to go," that isn't your responsibility. That's the responsibility of the group in front, and so on.

I wouldn't want to criticise anyone's pre-shot routine, where most of the time is lost, but it would go a long way to speeding up the pace of play if you completed some of that whilst others are sorting themselves out, and vice versa.

 

[bigslice]

you should criticise pre shot routines as that's the start of the problem. I don't have one as such and I don't take a practise stroke as I believe that's a waste of energy.
I do visualise the shot while walking to my ball, and if required play a provisional or two

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I watched a guy yesterday. [See other thread]
All the gear.
Stands over his shot, hands on hips, looks at watch [assume distance measuring], calls his friend over, they have a wee chat, he hits the shot [in fairness fairly quickly], it goes about 150 yards, trouble was only about 50 of those yards were closer to the pin. Two and a half fairways wide with a rescue club.

As a generalisation I think that many players walk far too slowly.

 

[scratch]

'Ready golf' is the key to getting round quickly. Some people have longer pre-shot routines but like you said, a lot of it can be done while they are waiting to play. It's the muppets that stand around scratching their backsides doing nothing until it's their turn to play that really wind me up.

Scratch's guide to quick golf.............

1) Assess your shot as you walk up to your ball
2) Take your practice swings etc while others are playing their shots (obviously without disturbing them)
3) Be ready to play as soon as it's your turn
4) DO NOT turn away in disgust when you hit a bad shot, watch where the ball goes!
5) Walk at a reasonable pace between shots.
6) Leave your bag at the same side of the green as you will be exiting.

It's all very basic folks and if you follow these simple guidelines everyone will get round in 4 hours which isn't rushing but neither is it excessive.

:thup:

 

[fundy]

Am the first to complain about slow play, but on the whole, a decent pre shot routine is not the issue imo. You can be ready to play, have a 15 second routine to hitting the ball and not be even close to being slow as long as you are aware of doing the other things right. and if the routine leads to you hitting better and therefore less shots then its going top help speed up not slow down the round.

If the routine is purposeful, compact and effective then its a benefit not a hindrance to the pace of play (and yes ive just added a 10 second or so routine to my shots )

 

[jimbob.someroo]

If the routine is purposeful, compact and effective then its a benefit not a hindrance to the pace of play (and yes ive just added a 10 second or so routine to my shots )

Entirely agree. A player taking 70 shots because they concentrated and played well will arguably get round quicker than the same player shooting 85 without a practice swing etc.

I'm not saying that it's exclusively the case but, on the whole, I have no great issue with a player taking 15/20 seconds over a shot if it's beneficial to their game - however, I do think some people think themselves out of good shots whilst over analysing.

I'm with Doon, from my experience, it's the walking to the ball / next tee which slows down the pace of play the most.

 

[One Planer]

In my opinion, the biggest cause of slow play in the amateur game, is the professional game.

They see professionals, Keegan Bradley is a prime example, with drawn out pre-shot routines, stalking putts from every angle, pacing out exact yardages from markers, only to duff the ball 50 yards then go through it all again.

If every professional played like Snedeker, there wouldn't be a slow play issue.

 

[MGL]

I'd like to see the PGA take the lead here.

Why can't they - with appropriate input - produce a "10 Steps to Avoid Slow Play" charter and have it distributed AND supported/endorsed by all the clubs??

At least then, everyone is AWARE of some of the things that can cause it.

Examples:

1) Look where the next hole is from the green your on and leave bag/trolley at that side
2) Take putter with you when you walk 30 yards to play the chip onto the green,
3) Seven practise swings is NOT going to help the average amateur golfer play like Tigger

etc.

Daft examples perhaps, but we all have ideas as to how it can be avoided and some consensus and awareness on the top ten tips across the country would have to help.

 

[USER1999]

Slow play again!

Walk quicker, then you can spend more time at the ball.

Get rid of the push/pull trolley too. If you carry or go electric you can multi task, like walk and clean your club, and put the head cover on, etc.

 

[duncan mackie]

Entirely agree. A player taking 70 shots because they concentrated and played well will arguably get round quicker than the same player shooting 85 without a practice swing etc.

I'm not saying that it's exclusively the case but, on the whole, I have no great issue with a player taking 15/20 seconds over a shot if it's beneficial to their game - however, I do think some people think themselves out of good shots whilst over analysing.

I'm with Doon, from my experience, it's the walking to the ball / next tee which slows down the pace of play the most.

I can't agree with this based on observation; if I was to cite a single cause of 'slow play' I would suggest it's on the greens. If they changed the rules such that you could only mark your ball once on the green it would make a HUGE difference to most games - and addresses the increasing mark, allign, adjust, adjust, check adjust, remove marker culture that is threatening to take over! Even the basic process of marking the ball and walking away then replacing etc takes a relative age. I can predict the 'what about standing on his line?' cry but, honestly, where did everybody in the previous game stand??? Where will Bill hit his first putt too anyway???

I agree that pre-shot routines have got silly - but the problem here is that coaches teach them, and it's generally accepted that they are a good thing. There's also a lot of difference between the new golfer and the dyed in the wool one too!

Course planning has much in common in terms of planning to get round in the least distance, least time, etc as it does the least shots - for most it's second nature, for some they are clueless.

Pace of walking per se is not a huge factor - but get your planning wrong and it will look like it is (I speak as an ambulatory restricted player!)

 

[Slab]

Agree with leaving bag at exit side but only when it doesn't require you to cross or circumnavigate the length of the green (which can be quite often depending on course layout)

There is no time saved in this scenario

 

[bladeplayer]

Well 4 balls in scratch cups sure as heck don't help slow play.................. 5hour 10 mins .. lost the will to live

 

[duncan mackie]

Well 4 balls in scratch cups sure as heck don't help slow play.................. 5hour 10 mins .. lost the will to live

clearly, from comment here, these were senior high handicap players..........

 

[jimbob.someroo]

I can't agree with this based on observation; if I was to cite a single cause of 'slow play' I would suggest it's on the greens. If they changed the rules such that you could only mark your ball once on the green it would make a HUGE difference to most games - and addresses the increasing mark, allign, adjust, adjust, check adjust, remove marker culture that is threatening to take over! Even the basic process of marking the ball and walking away then replacing etc takes a relative age. I can predict the 'what about standing on his line?' cry but, honestly, where did everybody in the previous game stand??? Where will Bill hit his first putt too anyway???

Fair point, although fortunately not something I've come across too many times Although, you're right, there is no need to continually keep repositioning the ball and I certainly think that a rule in which you were only allowed to mark once would really help. A bit like chess - once you've taken your hand off the ball, it's in position and can not be moved again.

I don't like criticising too much on t'greens cos it's a nervy part of the game and where scores are made/ruined, but do think the vast majority would be better off taking the Snedeker approach; mark, clean, pick a line, place, putt.

The one thing that really annoys me though with regards walking is the 'etiquette' thing of being behind the player who's hitting. If you've got one person in the fairway, 20 yards behind somebody in the thick rough, the latter does not need to be stood next to the former until the first shot is played. Go and find your ball and get behind it, ready to play your shot.

 

[duncan mackie]

The one thing that really annoys me though with regards walking is the 'etiquette' thing of being behind the player who's hitting. If you've got one person in the fairway, 20 yards behind somebody in the thick rough, the latter does not need to be stood next to the former until the first shot is played. Go and find your ball and get behind it, ready to play your shot.

I must have missed that one in the book..... Completely agree; I will never be moving when someone else is playing their shot, I will always be observing them and I will go more than sufficiently 'wide' to avoid them even considering that they might hit the ball in my direction.......but I won't wait 'behind them'. For me it's a fundamental part of keeping up when everyone else can walk much faster!

 

[Crow]

Played in our medal on Sunday and it was the first 5+ hour round of the year for me.

The biggest cause though was not down to slow players but that the rough had been allowed to get slightly too long. Normally it's long enough to penalise the shot but short enough that you can see your ball from several yards away. On Sunday you could be within feet of it and still not see it so a lot of time was wasted searching for balls just off the fairway.

 

[garyinderry]

Birchy is the king of fast play. we are ALL slow compared to him. he steps into the ball and hits it quicker than anyone i've ever seen.

 

[Foxholer]

Walking quickly and minimal faffing about on the green are the places to make up most time imo - pretty much minutes per hole.

By comparison, faffing about somewhat on the tee and slightly too long pre-shot routines seem to be major contributors, but aren't really - 10s of seconds per hole.

Hunting for balls is a definite speed killer. Everyone, including course managers has a part to play here!

 

[daymond]

I like the sound of the mark/clean/place once only idea on the green and once placed no further adjustment.
The 'honour' should only apply to match play. Stroke play should be 'first ready'
There's more but I've taken too long to type this.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have a pre-shot routine but I'm ready to go when its my turn. To be honest we have one or two at our place that get over the ball amd rigormortis sets in. One guy we timed at 41 seconds from addressing the ball to swinging. Just standing there. Now who is worse. Me and my pre-shot routine for 20-30 seconds or Mr Stuck Over The Ball. To be honest, we are very lucky at my club and pace of play is rarely a huge issue.