How long is acceptable to stand over the ball?

[philly169]

I was playing at the weekend in a yellow ball comp and in a group was a chap, over 50, played off 10, it was the first time i'd been in a group with him. Something I noticed, after needing to push the group along due to losing ground to the group in front and those behind catching up was how long he stood over the ball.

Now I am someone who has the same routine of practice swing, step back pick my spot, step up and swing. From standing over the ball after picking my spot, i'm there for only a few seconds. But this chap, after his 2 practice swings stood over the ball for around 10-15 seconds before even starting the back swing.

I can understand taking in your swing thoughts, but can standing over the ball for the amount of time be detrimental to the swing you're about to take? And how long is acceptable to stand over the ball for?

 

[TheCaddie]

I was playing at the weekend in a yellow ball comp and in a group was a chap, over 50, played off 10, it was the first time i'd been in a group with him. Something I noticed, after needing to push the group along due to losing ground to the group in front and those behind catching up was how long he stood over the ball.

Now I am someone who has the same routine of practice swing, step back pick my spot, step up and swing. From standing over the ball after picking my spot, i'm there for only a few seconds. But this chap, after his 2 practice swings stood over the ball for around 10-15 seconds before even starting the back swing.

I can understand taking in your swing thoughts, but can standing over the ball for the amount of time be detrimental to the swing you're about to take? And how long is acceptable to stand over the ball for?

I recently played with someone who took around 3-6 practice shots, every single shot, and then stood over the ball for a good 5-10 seconds before swinging.

Nightmare round!!

 

[rosecott]

As long as it takes for the player to be ready in his mind to start the swing.

 

[guest100718]

As long as it takes for the player to be ready in his mind to start the swing.

true, but I have played with some who look like they have been frozen by the white witch....

 

[londonlewis]

I suppose each to their own and if it works for him, then well done.

But that would be detrimental to my game. I am similar to you in that I like to stand behind my ball to pick my spot. I focus on a target just in front of the ball, set up and hit. I am probably over the ball for less than 5 seconds.

I believe that too many swing thoughts would prevent me from hitting a good shot if I was stood over the ball too long. But that's just me.

 

[tedster223]

I agree. There is no need to take so much time over each shot - we are not playing in the Open after all! Slow play definitely puts me off my game as I then speed up to try and compensate and lose concentration. I played with a chap who was fairly new to the game in monthly medal and he was taking numerous practice swings and not playing well... Gave him a little friendly advice to stop thinking so much and decide on his shot and just play the ball - interesting to note that his game was vastly improved..

Was watching Padraig Harrington in recent US tournament and was getting frustrated at how slow he was... surely this is not good for the game..? Delighted he won though

 

[Hobbit]

Can't see anything at all wrong with the guy's routine or times. Its more about does he walk reasonably between shots and is he ready to start his routine when another player has played their shot.

Also, not sure of the relevance his age has, unless of course you're (subconciously?)ageist... another pop at old golfers? PS I'm a slow 50+ golfer too.

 

[bobmac]

I gave a lesson to a guy who must have stood over the ball for 30 seconds. It was a wedge and he thinned it.
When I asked him what he was thinking about he gave me a list.
I asked him to set up to the ball again and when he was settled, I gave him 3 seconds to hit the ball and counted out the 3 seconds...... he hit it lovely.
He then said "but I can't do that"
When I pointed out he had just done it he he said he wouldn't be able to do it again.
By the end of the lesson I had reduced the list by about half
A week or so later I saw him again and he was back to his 30 seconds.
At the other end of the scale, and old friend of mine used to say, " hang on Bob I'll just duff this quickly and get out of your way. He had hit it before I got my club out of the bag.

 

[19thagain]

Looking at just your respective handicaps, I would assume that your additional seven shots on the round would maybe even out the time taken by you both, over your shots and therefore this could then extend to an attack on higher handicappers holding up the course.

Now this could mean that the lowest handicappers would lead off the field early doors with the highest handicappers playing out late in the day to save delays.

Now if any high handicapper comes on here and explains how they run round the course in 55 minutes, they should then maybe wonder if they played like the golfer being described by the OP maybe, just maybe, their handicap would spiral downwards!

However maybe we should just let the status quo prevail so that 95% of us could carry on enjoying their golf in mixed handicap and/ or gender with the other 5% spitting out their dummies over every little 'fault' in the players ahead.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Methinks after player is 7 seconds paused over the ball a tactical cough is in order - with an apology "sorry couldn't hold it in any longer"

 

[North Mimms]

Methinks after player is 7 seconds paused over the ball a tactical cough is in order - with an apology "sorry couldn't hold it in any longer"

Naughty.

Good, but naughty!

 

[backwoodsman]

Played with someone a bit back who took a couple of practice swings, then teed the ball, a couple more practice swings then addressed the ball. Then froze still.. I counted 20 'elephants' before he moved again. I thought he'd fallen asleep and was going to give him a prod with a putter. Don't really care about handicap level. That's just too long.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Naughty.

Good, but naughty!

Bit like trying to stifle a cough as the minister drones on through one of his earnest prayers of intercession

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Played with someone a bit back who took a couple of practice swings, then teed the ball, a couple more practice swings then addressed the ball. Then froze still.. I counted 20 'elephants' before he moved again. I thought he'd fallen asleep and was going to give him a prod with a putter. Don't really care about handicap level. That's just too long.

for acceptability i apply the 'if everyone did it' test.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

It's not how long someone stands over the ball that is important or not, it is how long it takes from when it is their turn to play until they hit the ball that matters. I've played with plenty of people that hit the ball quickly but spend ages dicking about prior to that.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Methinks after player is 7 seconds paused over the ball a tactical cough is in order - with an apology "sorry couldn't hold it in any longer"

I've said it before, we need a "Like" button on this forum.

 

[Khamelion]

Methinks after player is 7 seconds paused over the ball a tactical cough is in order - with an apology "sorry couldn't hold it in any longer"

I've mentioned this before in the forum, but there is a fella at my dads club, who is called Rigor, short for Rigor Mortis, due to the length of time he spends over the ball. I timed him one round and he took 44secs from getting into position to hitting the ball.

If someone coughed while he was in mid flow, he'd have to start again, I like the idea, but you have to pick your victims.

 

[garyinderry]

After about 20 seconds you should play the countdown clock from your phone.

He might get the message.

 

[SugarPenguin]

I am not a fast or slow player but I do hate playing with those who take too much time.
If I am in a group with a slow player I tend to start hurrying my shot to avoid slow play - completely the wrong thing to do but I am a nice guy.

 

[delc]

I was playing at the weekend in a yellow ball comp and in a group was a chap, over 50, played off 10, it was the first time i'd been in a group with him. Something I noticed, after needing to push the group along due to losing ground to the group in front and those behind catching up was how long he stood over the ball.

Now I am someone who has the same routine of practice swing, step back pick my spot, step up and swing. From standing over the ball after picking my spot, i'm there for only a few seconds. But this chap, after his 2 practice swings stood over the ball for around 10-15 seconds before even starting the back swing.

I can understand taking in your swing thoughts, but can standing over the ball for the amount of time be detrimental to the swing you're about to take? And how long is acceptable to stand over the ball for?

That's actually quite quick compared with a couple of guys I've played with! One used to stand over the ball twitching for about 30 seconds before starting his swing. He would then try and hurry us up because we were, not surprisingly, falling behind the group in front! I could never play well with him in the same group, because I was always hurrying my shots to make up for him! The other guy had the full swing yips and found it difficult to start his backswing. He would just freeze like a statue over the ball for the best part of a minute after taking his stance! :mmm: