Halfway Huts

[El Diablo]

A debate amongst a number of our members is whether the halfway hut is a further contributor to slow rounds above and beyond the endemic slow play.

Some groups spend an eternity on their mid round stop, others fly through picking up what they ordered or don't bother.

The impact does seem to be noticeable at weekends as groups inevitably do not want to let you through though you have no plan to stop you are almost obliged to, or all wait on the next tee.

Midweek when the course is quiet there is no problem and people are more relaxed about letting groups through there.

One new member and his mates now tee off on the 10th to avoid the hut (though tougher 9 to start the round).

He actually wants to set a maximum time limit and is seriously considering not renewing.

Do you see a negative impact at your club ?

 

[chellie]

No it doesn't as if you are not stopping for anything you are let through.

 

[Imurg]

Which is as it should be.
If you're going to stop the you slot in to available gaps rather than push on through..
If everyone stops then it doesn't become an issue.
Nice as many halfway huts are, I'm not overly keen on stopping as the knees start to stiffen up..😭😂

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It depends on which course I'm playing. Sunningdale, Camberley and one or two others and just stop, enjoy the food and let others through

 

[JohnnyDee]

At our place the hut is open every day Wednesday to Sunday.

There's no official protocol but everyone stops for roughly 10 minutes, so the overall pace should not be affected and is by and large maintained.

My own take is that in fun golf it's fine, but when reaching the turn at 2 under in s comp I'd much rather walk off the 9th green and straight onto the 10th tee to keep the momentum going.

Those 10 minutes have sometimes buggered me right up as I try, but fail, to remain in the zone. But as there's no alternative it has to be sucked up and dealt with.

 

[SaintHacker]

Do people seriously expect you to wait for them to finish, even if you're not stopping yourself?

 

[patricks148]

we have one no members us it, visitors poss. some it makes sense... the slow courses.

some do add on a bit of time like the ones at Gleneagles.. just grinds to a halt in the middle of the round

 

[Lump]

We have a par3 just after our halfway hut, which doesn't help, we've just installed a buzzer on the walk to the 11th tee box to let people in the half way house know the green is clear and ready for play. Wether it'll speed up the slow groups is yet to be seen.

 

[JohnnyDee]

Do people seriously expect you to wait for them to finish, even if you're not stopping yourself?

With us it's not optional but more so expected that every group stops.

It's very well received when entertaining visitors, but in completions then it can be less than welcome when you're having a good round.

 

[Region3]

Nobody stops at ours. Grab whatever you want and eat it on the move.
I've played at places where you stop and eat and it just feels wrong. I guess it's what you're used to.
I'd feel a bit miffed if someone in front wanted to stop and insisted we waited for them if we weren't stopping.

 

[JakeWS]

People seriously expect you to wait behind them if they are stopping and eating? Not a chance in hell I would be waiting, nor would I expect other groups to wait for me.

 

[Pin-seeker]

I can't see the point really tbh.
if you want a snack or drink purchase it before teeing off.

 

[garyinderry]

My course doesn't have one. When I play a course that has one I always buy at least a bar of chocolate. A cup of tea is nice on a chilly day.


It really should be a quick stop and move if there is one. should you want to wait around then it should be done on a quiet day where you can slip back into the field with no issues. Packed course you should be encouraged to move on. Its a golf course after all, not a café.

 

[richart]

At our place the hut is open every day Wednesday to Sunday.

There's no official protocol but everyone stops for roughly 10 minutes, so the overall pace should not be affected and is by and large maintained.

My own take is that in fun golf it's fine, but when reaching the turn at 2 under in s comp I'd much rather walk off the 9th green and straight onto the 10th tee to keep the momentum going.

Those 10 minutes have sometimes buggered me right up as I try, but fail, to remain in the zone. But as there's no alternative it has to be sucked up and dealt with.

Alternatively when you are ten over I can't wait for my bacon roll. Our hut is after a par three which works well. By time group behind have played the hole we are usually well down the next fairway. Group behind usually wait for us to tee off before putting so helps with the flow. Hut is also lovely and warm so great for a warm up.

 

[richart]

I can't see the point really tbh.
if you want a snack or drink purchase it before teeing off.

Four hours plus is a long time to go without hot food for me.

 

[Sweep]

I find it can assist in speeding up the pace of play as it can reset the time between games. When you see the game in front tee off after the halfway house, you know it's time to go, no matter what. Everyone plays to the same rule.
At our place, anyone who doesn't want to stop has to be let through. Most people stop nowadays, though the low handicappers tell me it's the worst thing you can do,

 

[JohnnyDee]

Alternatively when you are ten over I can't wait for my bacon roll. Hut is also lovely and warm so great for a warm up.

:thup::thup:

 

[Robobum]

When used with a bit of common sense they are great - sadly it isn't used a great deal at ours.

It sits to the side of the par 3 11th. The idea is to move off to the 12th tee when the next group is walking onto the green. Too many groups will leave it until you're practically putting the flag back in before making their way.

12 has OB all down the right, pretty much guarantee a block slice after having to stop😭

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Halfway huts are a novelty for me so I love them. The best ones let you order, play a hole and pick up your order without delay. I can see if they are on your home course then the novelty would disappear.

Close House forces you to stop. That annoyed me, surely it should be my choice, novelty or not.

 

[Captainron]

I love them. They're part and parcel of golf in South Africa. You know you've got 20 minutes between the 9th and 10th. The time is factored into the round by the course.

You grab a bite to eat and have a drink and replenish the bag for the back 9. I was back home 2 weeks ago and really liked the break.

At Sun City you get given a menu on the 9th tee. Your order is called in and it's there when you walk off the green. Boerewors roll and a beer! Yum!

I don't get why people get so upset about having to stop