For those who want a 3hr45min round.

[Deleted member 15344]

One idea we are thinking of trialling is getting players to book back in with the pro shop - once they finish the 18th one member must quickly inform the pro shop they have completed the round. Maybe might form a pattern

 

[Foxholer]

One idea we are thinking of trialling is getting players to book back in with the pro shop - once they finish the 18th one member must quickly inform the pro shop they have completed the round. Maybe might form a pattern

I've seen that tried. It didn't work very well, caused 'grief' for the Pro Shop, whinges from the groups that bothered and provided little in the way of useful data. Quickly dropped!

 

[North Mimms]

I've seen that tried. It didn't work very well, caused 'grief' for the Pro Shop, whinges from the groups that bothered and provided little in the way of useful data. Quickly dropped!

I believe some clubs tried this, but found there was a tendency for some slow groups to belatedly call those behind through on the 17th or 18th hole so that they weren't the ones coming in after a big gap!

I did like the suggestion on a similar recent thread to envourage slow players that they don't need to be doing stuff faster, just doing it sooner. I passed on this tip to someone who was moaning at lunch about her playing partner dithering about

 

[Fish]

I think there is too much of an obsession with slow play, if its excessively slow (causing delays behind) then fairy snuff but I'm out their to enjoy myself so if I become slow for any reason then I'll let the following group through, if not, I'll crack on and nobody that's with me will tell me to quicken up

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I think there is too much of an obsession with slow play, if its excessively slow (causing delays behind) then fairy snuff but I'm out their to enjoy myself so if I become slow for any reason then I'll let the following group through, if not, I'll crack on and nobody that's with me will tell me to quicken up View attachment 10045

It's all about keeping pace with the group in from as opposed to just staying ahead of the group behind

The obsession with slow play is born out of surveys from various clubs including mine that state slow play as one of the reasons for the drop in men competing in medals and also people leaving clubs because of slow play.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I think there is too much of an obsession with slow play, if its excessively slow (causing delays behind) then fairy snuff but I'm out their to enjoy myself so if I become slow for any reason then I'll let the following group through, if not, I'll crack on and nobody that's with me will tell me to quicken up View attachment 10045

In the pace of play part of the etiquette section in the rules of golf it says...

"It is a group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front."

Allowing the group behind to play through should be a last resort, not an intention, the reason being that on a busy course, playing people through only speeds things up for the group being played through, for every other group it slows things down. IMvHO, your attitude is rather selfish.

 

[Fish]

It's all about keeping pace with the group in from as opposed to just staying ahead of the group behind

The obsession with slow play is born out of surveys from various clubs including mine that state slow play as one of the reasons for the drop in men competing in medals and also people leaving clubs because of slow play.

Long hitting Cat1's where the instigators of our course getting clogged today, I was 4 groups behind a 3-ball of them and because they were waiting for greens to clear at obscene distances and short 300yd par 4's and then NOT hitting them and still chipping and 2-putting, the field behind bunched up and we had 2 playing groups waiting on the tee's behind them!

Did I get upset, no, did it hugely affect my game, not really it was a pile of poo anyway by then, what will I do about it, simply make sure I find a better time in front of them or much further behind them.

All comps I've attended at the 2 clubs I have been at are over subscribed (200+) to the effect that if you don't get your name down quickly, you don't get to play in it so I've never experienced a slide in competitors!

 

[Fish]

In the pace of play part of the etiquette section in the rules of golf it says...

"It is a group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front."

Allowing the group behind to play through should be a last resort, not an intention, the reason being that on a busy course, playing people through only speeds things up for the group being played through, for every other group it slows things down. IMvHO, your attitude is rather selfish.

How am I being selfish if I'm not affecting anyone as per my comments?

If nobody is waiting to take a shot because of me then I'm not overly fussed about what's going on in front as its not me that's affecting anything behind me or them, is it? If I had to look for a ball and the group behind were in any position to take a shot, then they'll get waved through simples. I honestly cannot remember me having to do that anyway so its not an issue but all the same, the game is about enjoyment, its not a bloody marathon and if the group in front are big long straight hitting single handicappers,how are you honestly expected to keep up over 18 holes if you are taking more shots than them across possibly all of the players in your group!

How many times have you lost ground on a group in front only to catch them back up again a few holes further on, as I said, I think there is a current obsession about slow play that people are hanging on to to excuse their own poor performances :whoo: :rofl:

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Long hitting Cat1's where the instigators of our course getting clogged today, I was 4 groups behind a 3-ball of them and because they were waiting for greens to clear at obscene distances and short 300yd par 4's and then NOT hitting them and still chipping and 2-putting, the field behind bunched up and we had 2 playing groups waiting on the tee's behind them!

Did I get upset, no, did it hugely affect my game, not really it was a pile of poo anyway by then, what will I do about it, simply make sure I find a better time in front of them or much further behind them.

All comps I've attended at the 2 clubs I have been at are over subscribed (200+) to the effect that if you don't get your name down quickly, you don't get to play in it so I've never experienced a slide in competitors!

The main aim of any group is to keep pace with the group in front - do that then there isn't an issue

Slow play is an issue - it's an issue at clubs and it's an issue on the pro circuit.

The reason behind it isn't narrowed down it any age or any handicap but selfish golfers who aren't aware of their own pace of olat and the effect it has on the whole field.

 

[Fish]

The main aim of any group is to keep pace with the group in front - do that then there isn't an issue

So the 3-ball of Cat1's waited on nearly all of their shots because at times, like all of us can sometimes, they hit the ball a country mile but in reality they were never up with the group in front because of this practice that they adopted, but their argument will be that they can drive or hit balls that far, how often is another question but its in their locker but, because of their actions the whole field behind closed up because they didn't achieve what they were capable of and played the hole no quicker than anyone else allowing the field to close up on them!

Were they at fault? or is it a consequence of the game!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

So the 3-ball of Cat1's waited on nearly all of their shots because at times, like all of us can sometimes, they hit the ball a country mile but in reality they were never up with the group in front because of this practice that they adopted, but their argument will be that they can drive or hit balls that far, how often is another question but its in their locker but, because of their actions the whole field behind closed up because they didn't achieve what they were capable of and played the hole no quicker than anyone else allowing the field to close up on them!

Were they at fault? or is it a consequence of the game!

If they are waiting for the green to clear then they are keeping up with the group in front - if they are going for the green and can reach then they should wait but when then they must "catch up" to ensure they are up with play.

But you are going into specific instances within one three ball on one course and one set of cat 1 players

My point is a general point that slow play is effecting golf and it's not just people using it as an excuse for poor play

 

[Foxholer]

Long hitting Cat1's where the instigators of our course getting clogged today, I was 4 groups behind a 3-ball of them and because they were waiting for greens to clear at obscene distances and short 300yd par 4's and then NOT hitting them and still chipping and 2-putting, the field behind bunched up and we had 2 playing groups waiting on the tee's behind them!

It's that hole and the Tee gaps that have caused the problem. These sort of holes are the (only) ones where a 'Callup' is justified imo. The 'big hitting Cat 1s' simply highlighted that there were too many groups on the course. Demonstrated by the fact that there were 2 groups waiting on the Tee rather than the expected 1. The 'advantage' of that sort of hole, however, is that, if early enough in the round, it 'sets' the minimum time gaps - just as a Par 3 1st hole does.

How am I being selfish if I'm not affecting anyone as per my comments?

If nobody is waiting to take a shot because of me then I'm not overly fussed about what's going on in front as its not me that's affecting anything behind me or them, is it? If I had to look for a ball and the group behind were in any position to take a shot, then they'll get waved through simples. I honestly cannot remember me having to do that anyway so its not an issue but all the same, the game is about enjoyment, its not a bloody marathon and if the group in front are big long straight hitting single handicappers,how are you honestly expected to keep up over 18 holes if you are taking more shots than them across possibly all of the players in your group!

How many times have you lost ground on a group in front only to catch them back up again a few holes further on, as I said, I think there is a current obsession about slow play that people are hanging on to to excuse their own poor performances :whoo: :rofl:

And this 'ignorance' is part of why there's a problem.

Keep up with the group in front, not simply ahead of the group behind.

Slow play has been a problem/obsession for many years - probably since the game started!

 

[Fish]

My point is a general point that slow play is effecting golf and it's not just people using it as an excuse for poor play

I think if you were to look into the demographics of golf clubs more, especially the rising average age of members which in turn will mean a higher average handicap by definition, the overall game and its playing time will change as a result, even if TM say that everyone is hitting it longer with their clubs, which is possibly so but is it in the right direction

 

[Fish]

It's that hole and the Tee gaps that have caused the problem. These sort of holes are the (only) ones where a 'Callup' is justified imo. The 'big hitting Cat 1s' simply highlighted that there were too many groups on the course. Demonstrated by the fact that there were 2 groups waiting on the Tee rather than the expected 1. The 'advantage' of that sort of hole, however, is that, if early enough in the round, it 'sets' the minimum time gaps - just as a Par 3 1st hole does.



And this 'ignorance' is part of why there's a problem.

Keep up with the group in front, not simply ahead of the group behind.

Slow play has been a problem/obsession for many years - probably since the game started!

Don't call me ignorant, who the hell are you to say I'm ignorant!!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I asked him to be ready when it was his turn to play and he needed to find a way to quicken up his PSR because it was taking over a min and half each time ( even longer on putts ) and his slow play was breaking up the rhythm of both myself and the other FC .

If you did that while we were playing, especially in a comp, you wouldn't like the response and we certainly wouldn't be playing again. I don't believe takes that long on a putting PSR, even the pros. I'm sorry but I'd hate to be under pressure to play just to fit in with some tick box exercise to say you got round in a sufficient time. Lots of reasons while a group can fall behind the one in front, not just one guy being the slow coach.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

If you did that while we were playing, especially in a comp, you wouldn't like the response and we certainly wouldn't be playing again. I don't believe takes that long on a putting PSR, even the pros. I'm sorry but I'd hate to be under pressure to play just to fit in with some tick box exercise to say you got round in a sufficient time. Lots of reasons while a group can fall behind the one in front, not just one guy being the slow coach.

Well the reason was this one person being a slow coach and he was holding up play - we asked him politely and he duly agreed - in fairness he didnt realise and actually thanked us for highlighting it to him - he understood our reasons for speaking to him.

Would you give the same response to a marshall who asked you to speed up play or just to a FC ?

 

[3565]

If you did that while we were playing, especially in a comp, you wouldn't like the response and we certainly wouldn't be playing again. I don't believe takes that long on a putting PSR, even the pros. I'm sorry but I'd hate to be under pressure to play just to fit in with some tick box exercise to say you got round in a sufficient time. Lots of reasons while a group can fall behind the one in front, not just one guy being the slow coach.

Hmmm I wonder if Liverpoolphil played with Mr Westwood, would he go and say politely, I say old chap, would you mind speeding up your PSR as it's that's that ruining not only my enjoyment but others too!

Seriously, you have varying playing abilities across the board, low hc players take longer as their skill level in playing various amount of shots require that, where as mid to high hc players don't have that ability and tend to pull a club, whack it without any thought, then onto the putting green, have a quick glance then hit it, to 4ft short and then don't bother marking their ball, whilst someone else is putting, then when it's their go again just do the same again miss then tap in............ In other words they are more preoccupied in the fact that they need to get round in under 3hrs that they are sprinting round, the group behind have players that may not have extended PSR's but no matter what, can't keep up with the group in front, so are they guilty of slow play when you do get players that don't really play the game as it meant to?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Hmmm I wonder if Liverpoolphil played with Mr Westwood, would he go and say politely, I say old chap, would you mind speeding up your PSR as it's that's that ruining not only my enjoyment but others too!

Seriously, you have varying playing abilities across the board, low hc players take longer as their skill level in playing various amount of shots require that, where as mid to high hc players don't have that ability and tend to pull a club, whack it without any thought, then onto the putting green, have a quick glance then hit it, to 4ft short and then don't bother marking their ball, whilst someone else is putting, then when it's their go again just do the same again miss then tap in............ In other words they are more preoccupied in the fact that they need to get round in under 3hrs that they are sprinting round, the group behind have players that may not have extended PSR's but no matter what, can't keep up with the group in front, so are they guilty of slow play when you do get players that don't really play the game as it meant to?

If Mr Westwood was holding up play due to slow play then yes i would mention it.

Im a low HC player and dont take any longer than my High HC FC - again you can play at a decent pace and still take your time. You certainly do deal in extremes.

Im not interested in get round in under 3 hours - i dont believe anyone on here has ever suggested that. what i am interested in is getting round the course in a reasonable time and not be held up constantly throughout the game and take 5 hours for a 3 ball

 

[3565]

If Mr Westwood was holding up play due to slow play then yes i would mention it.

Im a low HC player and dont take any longer than my High HC FC - again you can play at a decent pace and still take your time. You certainly do deal in extremes.

Im not interested in get round in under 3 hours - i dont believe anyone on here has ever suggested that. what i am interested in is getting round the course in a reasonable time and not be held up constantly throughout the game and take 5 hours for a 3 ball

Im not dealing in extremes........ The game gives us these extremes that you have to contend with. You get the ridiculously slow players and the ridiculously fast ones too. It can be a combination of both that causes these problems on a course.

oh and good luck with the hypothetical Westwood scenario, but I think my vision of his ice cold stare that I've seen at close quarters would suggest otherwise, your either a brave man or stupid.......... Think you know my opinion on that.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Im not dealing in extremes........ The game gives us these extremes that you have to contend with. You get the ridiculously slow players and the ridiculously fast ones too. It can be a combination of both that causes these problems on a course.

oh and good luck with the hypothetical Westwood scenario, but I think my vision of his ice cold stare that I've seen at close quarters would suggest otherwise, your either a brave man or stupid.......... Think you know my opinion on that.

The Westwood scenario would never happen so its a pointless scenario - telling club golfers to speed up can and has happened

but you are dealing in extremes going on about playing rushing round to get around in under 3 hours - no one has suggested that needs to happen - so im not sure why you keep bringing that up.