Dilema

[Smiffy]

I play golf regularly with a lovely guy. He is super company on the course and is always the first to congratulate somebody for a good shot, and is there with encouragement if you aren't playing as well as you know you can. He's a low handicapped player and hits the ball beautifully (most of the time) and it's always a pleasure to watch him play. You could learn quite a bit from him to be honest.
As I say, he's a lovely guy but (there's always a but isn't there)......
He is sooooo fecking slow.
Whenever you play with him you just know that you are going to lose at least two, maybe three or more holes on the group in front. It can get a little embarassing (sp?) sometimes, especially if you are playing in a society day or something and are holding everybody else up.
How can I broach the subject with him without upsetting him, 'cos he's a good mate and I don't like upsetting mates.

 

[madandra]

I would just joke that he is on the clock and ask him if he realizes how long he takes to hit a shot. Time him and let him know.

 

[freddielong]

Just tell him you need to be back for something and keep him aware of the time, if he is such a nice guy he will try to accomadate your whatever you make up.

 

[stevek1969]

Tell him it will be dark soon,it worked with one of mates as he didn't realise he played slow.

 

[rickg]

Just send him a link to this thread!

 

[ADB]

Smiffy, could have written exactly the same thing about a guy I play with. Great company, but the 20 practice swings on every shot do my head in! I have found myself getting stressed and wanting to hurry things along, but I found this usually has a detrimental affect on my game. It is difficult to change someones natural game (either slow or fast) and asking him to speed up, no matter how diplomatically you do it, may only have short-term affect. You can only control your pace of play, so quick walking between shots, tees and greens may speed him up as a consequence. Not sure if this helps, but I know where you are coming from.

 

[SharkAttack]

Whenever you drop a hole behind, you should mention that you should let the group behind play through as you seem to be playing a bit slow today. Then keep suggesting letting the next group through when you fall another hole behind. If he doesn't get the hint then tell him to speed up.

Then again he may be thinking, God that Smiffy fellow is real slow how can I tell him to speed up as it's so embarassing when we fall so far behind. It could be YOU.

 

[Losttheplot]

Where exactly is the slowness occuring?? Is it between shots or his pre shot routines??

You could just ask him if he feels that when both of you go round does he think it takes too much time?? You could do it as a couple, time yourselves and between you decide where the time could be reduced. (you now tell him that he could be quicker). This way your tackling the slow play together and you get to tell him he could be quicker. It's better than just blurting it out IMO.

 

[Smiffy]

Where exactly is the slowness occuring??

A bit of everything to be honest. Sometimes on the tee when everybody has club in hand ready to go he is sometimes standing there without having a club ready. Even if it is a long par 5 with no evident danger and is obviously everything you've got in the bag. Can understand a little hesitation on a par 3 when the yardage or wind is a factor but on a par 5 where distance is the only criteria I feel that he should have a club out ready to go when it is his turn.
But it's difficult to actually put my finger on an exact cause.
Another mate of mine used to have this annoying habit of pacing everything out from the 150 markers even if you could see that he was "roughly" ten yards either closer or further from them as if one yard was going to make a difference. He would then fat it 10 yards most of the time! It used to slow us up a lot and a few of the regulars didn't like playing with him because of it, but lots of gentle ribbing over the years finally made him see sense.

 

[Doh]

Smithy

Just tell him that his slow play is effecting your game and your begining not to enjoy playing with him.

If he is such a nice guy he will understand and do something about it.

Some people are just unaware of how their behaviour affects other people.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

If he's a good mate, surely he won't mind you mentioning that perhaps he might be a bit slow

 

[slugger]

while he's faffing on the tee say these two words really loudly and really slow...

"TICK" "TOCK"

 

[john0]

Why dont you open a thread called 'FAO JustOneUK' and just tell him straight

 

[Smiffy]

Why dont you open a thread called 'FAO JustOneUK' and just tell him straight

Errr...I play with a lot of low handicapped golfers who are a pleasure to be with and I could learn a lot from.
I haven't mentioned any names

 

[viscount17]

take a folding chair, a bottle (or two) of wine and a good book (or a few joints), sit back and feel the lurrve!

 

[TRS30]

Had the same with a mate I use to play with Smiffy. I told him one night over a few pints that he needed to speed up when he was playing as some of the lads were getting pee'd off and I had drawn the short straw to tell him.

Made a bit of a joke of it and it was never mentioned again. He did speed up a bit for a few weeks and then slipped back to the way he was. I didn't mention it again as his golf started to go down hill and suspect I know why

 

[Faldo_Fan]

Ohh is it a forum member???....if so, why not out em on here???

 

[Smiffy]

Ohh is it a forum member???....if so, why not out em on here???

I couldn't do that.
I'm much too discrete/diplomatic

 

[Faldo_Fan]

Ohh go on.....please????

Haha...all your forum based partners are all thinking "does he mean me?"

 

[AndrewG]

Bring some half-finished knitting, and pull it out after the 3rd practice swing...