Are 10 minute tee times the future ?

[upsidedown]

Played in a Seniors 4BBB Open at Hawkstone Park today with 10 minute intervals, set off at 12.10 and walked off 18th at 16.12. The group in front were generally on the green when we were teeing off, although never on the par 3's.

It was a revelation being able to walk to the tee and not have to wait for fairway to clear etc etc, didn't feel pressurised to catch group in front, group behind never close, all in all very pleasant experience.

This got me to thinking what if it was adopted at our place. In a 7 hour period under 10 mins intervals we'd lose 10.5 tee times which on a medal day would equate to 30 players not getting a game...... or would it ?

Looking at next week's monthly medal in the same 7 hour period there are 29 spare slots !!! So no body ( ok one poor soul ) misses out and we all get a more pleasurable game

Now only have to convince committee to try it

 

[fundy]

Not a committee but a management issue at our place, and they arent budging on 8 minute intervals, as it means they get more slots for potential green fees later in the day despite the fact that its really not helping the pace of place, especially in competitions.

Golf so much more enjoyable in the scenario you describe above!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

We had ten min tee times yesterday in a 4BBB at Royal North Devon - we waited on pretty much every shot - started at 10 and think it took us just over 4 and half hours

 

[pokerjoke]

Imo there are so many factors to consider first a lot of it comes down to the course and if its suitable or what comp it is.

I don't believe it is.

 

[glasgowbeginner]

Thats how my club work all day every day, either on medals or when booking a normal days play, generally it works well!

 

[SammmeBee]

Without question.....anything less for 4 balls is way too tight. Gets about 28 groups on the course at full capacity, which is about right for 4 1/2 hours for a 4-ball.

 

[Break90]

Not sure tbh. We have 8 minute tee times, and a Saturday comp is generally fully booked between 0730 and at least 1300.

we tee of around 1200 every week, and it rarely takes over 4 hours, normally closer to 3hrs 30

not saying that 10 minute tee times wouldn't help at some places

 

[duncan mackie]

Not a committee but a management issue at our place, and they arent budging on 8 minute intervals, as it means they get more slots for potential green fees later in the day despite the fact that its really not helping the pace of place, especially in competitions.

Golf so much more enjoyable in the scenario you describe above!

We are trialling 9 mins for 3 balls in a couple of the biggest events - it's taken a number of years to get this far for the reason you outline. This after yet another heated debate on ' slow play' (the title not the reality)

 

[SammmeBee]

Not sure tbh. We have 8 minute tee times, and a Saturday comp is generally fully booked between 0730 and at least 1300.

we tee of around 1200 every week, and it rarely takes over 4 hours, normally closer to 3hrs 30

not saying that 10 minute tee times wouldn't help at some places

Do you play in 3s (I would guess) or 4s.....how many play in the comp?

 

[JohnnyDee]

We play comps in 3-balls set at 7 minute intervals. By mid-morning things can sometimes start backing up, but I believe this can be alleviated by marshals in buggies going out and geeing up those who've fallen behind the pace,

lLst week the second match out in a stableford lost over two holes on the game in front. Under no circumstances can this ever be acceptable.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

This is a multi-faceted problem that won't be solved by simply changing the tee times. One of the problems at most clubs during comps isn't the gap between tee times, it's the fact that most groups tee off as soon as the group in front is clear and don't wait for their actual tee time. Unless their is a starter to ensure no-one goes early, the gap between times is irrelevent.

P.S. i have deliberately ignore the rules infringement that arises by going early as thuis thread isn't about rules.

 

[Doh]

We have 8 min tee times for 3 balls and 10 min for four balls and have done for years. Still does'nt stop slow play though or people having to wait on groups in front.

 

[Smiffy]

Small (9 hole) course down our way called Dewlands Manor....
http://www.dewlandsmanorgolfcourse.co.uk/

Nice little track, always in good condition.
15 minute intervals. No hanging around on the tee.
Cushty.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Depends on how busy your course is, no point in 10 minute intervals, or even a time sheet, on a quiet course.

When I managed very busy courses we changed to 10 minute intervals in the mid 1990's so hardly 'the future'.
On a busy course 10 minute intervals are essential, along with a first tee starter to make sure golfers do not tee off earlier than their start time.

 

[alexbrownmp]

10 mins works, end of.

 

[Fish]

I tee off predominately between 09.15 & 09.45, we have 8 minute intervals and by the time I arrive at the tee to start we can already be behind on tee times! This is because anyone with a fade/slice can find themselves in a large bomb hole with water in the middle on the right and it only takes a couple of groups before us to have to look for a ball/s and were already behind! then it becomes as described above, waiting for the groups in front to get out of sight and tee off, sometimes it spreads itself out sometimes it doesn't, but it always bottle necks later on in the round at the 15th!

 

[bladeplayer]

This is a multi-faceted problem that won't be solved by simply changing the tee times. One of the problems at most clubs during comps isn't the gap between tee times, it's the fact that most groups tee off as soon as the group in front is clear and don't wait for their actual tee time. Unless their is a starter to ensure no-one goes early, the gap between times is irrelevent.

P.S. i have deliberately ignore the rules infringement that arises by going early as thuis thread isn't about rules.

I have brought this up at our place many times , there can be 2 or 3 groups standing at the 1st tee , the min the group ahead play their second shots the next group are away ..there will always be 3 groups on the 1st hole , Tee /fairway/ green..2nd is a short par 4 followed by a long par 3 .. a magnet for slow play from the start

 

[upsidedown]

I have brought this up at our place many times , there can be 2 or 3 groups standing at the 1st tee , the min the group ahead play their second shots the next group are away ..there will always be 3 groups on the 1st hole , Tee /fairway/ green..2nd is a short par 4 followed by a long par 3 .. a magnet for slow play from the start

We have the same problem at ours without a starter, group behind you geeing you up to get going.

Yesterday really was an eye opener for me, having the 10 mins and a starter who adhered to them. Mind you have been at other Opens where you've been ushered off the tee too soon , to keep things moving for you to come to a grinding halt on the next tee!!

We had quite a few comments after our last Seniors Open about the slow play and my PP from yesterday is on Match and I know he is keen to try the 10 mins times, just got to persuade rest of the committee that the loss of revenue from less slots is good long term as competitors have a better experience hopefully and are more likely to return.

 

[fundy]

Well if players are gonna be slow it doesnt matter what the gaps are it seems

First round of our clubs champs this morning, the 2nd group out, with a totally clear course in front of them (the first group were out of sight immediately) took 1hr20 for 5 holes, 2hr20 for 9 holes and 4hr30 for 18 holes. The group consisted of 2 2 handicappers and a 3 handicapper.

And as far as the slow one in the group was concerned he couldnt see what the problem was, the fact that in the group behind we had waited on every tee and almost every approach shot was not a problem for him. Nor was the fact that the poor souls teeing off later were now guaranteed a 5hr+ round

Ultimately if people want to be selfish and have no respect for everyone else then this is sadly where it is going more and more

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We have ten minute tee slots which would be fine but we start with a par three and so most are forced to wait for the green to clear anyway so it negates any spacing. With a par five with OB right and a tough tee shot on the 3rd, it can be a stop/start beginning to a round. Most of the time it works well enough but you only need one player in the group in front to be having issues on the tee and it can close up. Still tend to get round in about four hours even in medal rounds