how long is too long for a game of golf?

[HomerJSimpson]

Reckon we went around in just under 5 hours

But it didn't feel like five hours last week (imo) and that made a difference. Play flowed well and we stopped at the halfway house as well

 

[chrisd]

This is why slow play threads here are futile. It's not about low vs high handicaps and you just get people's backs up by daft generalisations like this.

Karen's spot on, handicap has little to do with it. Yes, the low handicapper may take longer over shots and putting but, of course they generally take far fewer shots, and in my experience, don't have to look for their ball very often and walk briskly between shots

We had an unusual 41/2 hour round behind 3 higher handicappers and a single figure player who said afterwards to me to shoot him if ever I see him go out with the other 3 ever again as they were so so slow, lost loads of balls and were never able to respond to being chivvied along

 

[Hickory_Hacker]

I seriously hope I never have to play with some one as pompous as him.

I play off 24 and can get my 90-95 shots in round my home course in around 3hrs.


I get as annoyed with slow play as anyone. The slowest players at our club tend to either be lower handicappers who play every shot as if it's to win the Ryder cup or total beginners that just need educating a bit.

I think a lot of high handicappers like me tend to be crap on and round the greens rather than tee to green. I know at least half of my handicap is shots dropped with my putter rather than lost balls on the fairways. That doesn't take up much time. It's just frustrating for ME.

JamPal ... You might find this hard to believe but I've played with worse than you, it's a hoot

If you slow yourself down to 3.5 hours you might be lucky enough to go round in 85 - 90, concentrate and try it :thup:

 

[Foxholer]

Not any, the day was great



Strange course, testing course, mixed abilities, relaxed atmosphere as in not being pushed or rushed



Without any doubt, NO

So 5 hour rounds can be enjoyable too.

Would the same apply elsewhere? For a Club Medal, or just a knock about, for example?

JamPal ... You might find this hard to believe but I've played with worse than you, it's a hoot

If you slow yourself down to 3.5 hours you might be lucky enough to go round in 85 - 90, concentrate and try it :thup:

I keep repeating my 'horror' story about playing at a relatively prestigious club as a guest and overhearing the response of 2 elderly guys when asked how their round went - 'Excellent! 2 hours 45.' was the reply! Obviously different priorities!

 

[Fish]

This is why slow play threads here are futile. It's not about low vs high handicaps and you just get people's backs up by daft generalisations like this.

Hmm, lots of mentions and finger pointing towards higher handicappers but as soon as an example against low handicappers is put foward, they don't like it

Slow play has nothing to go with handicaps imo, it was simply time to throw something back. The faffing about and not being ready is across the board.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Hmm, lots of mentions and finger pointing towards higher handicappers but as soon as an example against low handicappers is put foward, they don't like it

Slow play has nothing to go with handicaps imo, it was simply time to throw something back. The faffing about and not being ready is across the board.

Well I'd already tried my defence of high handicappers while refusing to gloss over the self-evident fact that more shots = more time.

I've played with some very fast and some very slow players with a whole mix of handicaps. To be honest, I've played with a few who would play a fair bit better if they slowed down a bit, and others that I'll take a packed lunch with me next time I'm drawn with them.......

If we're going to try and discuss it again, let's leave the handicaps out.

 

[Smiffy]

I played in a 36 hole medal at Princes once.
Max handicap was 14, but the vast majority of players were low, single digit golfers.
It was painful.
First round took over 5.5 hours, people were waiting for greens to clear on 400 yard par 4's before they'd tee off!
2nd round started about 3.00, it was 6.30 and we still had 8 holes to play.
I walked off I was that cheesed off

 

[wrighty1874]

I've played with all levels of golfers and h/c is irrelevant in terms of speed of play. Generally speaking, lady golfers are right up there with the quick players. It's the ones who wait until it's their turn to go, and decide to put their glove on, take practice swings galore, change their mind and go through the whole process again that do my box in.

 

[richart]

But it didn't feel like five hours last week (imo) and that made a difference. Play flowed well and we stopped at the halfway house as well

Totally agree. I didn't check my watch once during the round, and we just kept up with the group in front. I will say that the bacon roll at the halfway hut was superb. The highlight of my round.:thup:

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Totally agree. I didn't check my watch once during the round, and we just kept up with the group in front. I will say that the bacon roll at the halfway hut was superb. The highlight of my round.:thup:

We had about half a hole gap in front and the same amount behind - waiting about a minute once or twice but it was smooth all day long , the time flew by with the company and the occasion

 

[Fish]

So would the same apply elsewhere? For a Club Medal, or just a knock about, for example?

Not sure all my responses would fall into a home club medal scenario as the course is known but, I do find myself alot of times marching off in front of everyone else rather than ambling down the fairway with not a care in the world!

 

[bluewolf]

I do find myself alot of times marching off in front of everyone else rather than ambling down the fairway with not a care in the world!

I do the same Robin.. If I think the round is going too slowly, I will happily march ahead and stand by my ball. Even if it's 50-100 yards ahead of my PP's. I still watch them take their shot and keep an eye on the ball..

Note, I will only do this if my ball is substantially to one side of their own shot/line (which it usually is...)

 

[6inchcup]

am i the only one who thinks golf should be a fun game,when i go to the club i expect to be there for 5 or 6 hours 4 hours or so for the game and the rest for a drink and something to eat,if you have to run round the course to get finished to be somewhere else its not the game for you i think,play 9 holes if you can only spare a couple of hours,but its a leisure sport and as such should be a leisurely stroll not a sprint.
I play in comps and it gets annoying when people keep looking at their watch tutting and saying they have to be somewhere in an hour when your stood on the 12,if you cant spare 5 hours to be on the golf course you have a poor work life balance.

 

[Hickory_Hacker]

Foxholer,

I keep repeating my 'horror' story about playing at a relatively prestigious club as a guest and overhearing the response of 2 elderly guys when asked how their round went - 'Excellent! 2 hours 45.' was the reply! Obviously different priorities!

That's just nuts, it borders on stupidity that golf's a race. It is what it is but when the speed of play gets to 4 hours (or worse) then someone's responsible

 

[Doon frae Troon]

This thread basically proves the theory that no golfer is ever to blame for slow play on a golf course.....ever.

 

[AmandaJR]

This thread basically proves the theory that no golfer is ever to blame for slow play on a golf course.....ever.

Tis true! I've always stressed about not being a slow player and don't **think** I am but often ask HID just to be sure (he doesn't even take practice swings)!

 

[Leereed]

I think a lot of the problem is that people won't play out of turn.we will if one of us is messing about.we will all play our shot then go help look for the lost ball.and we are all ready to take our next shot when required.

 

[c1973]

I think 4 hours is plenty time for a fourball to play 18 holes, but I don't mind if it takes a little longer (provided no one is being held up). I agree that measuring your enjoyment by how quick you get around is ridiculous, but if I was out there stuck behind a 5 hour group I'd most probably be scunnered.

 

[Leereed]

I also think it's ok if it's slow but keeps going.for me it's when you hit a shot wait 5 minutes hit a shot.you can't get any flow going. I don't think handicap has much to do with it.a lad at old club played off 1 or 2 and he was painful to watch.took forever over every shot.

 

[delc]

am i the only one who thinks golf should be a fun game,when i go to the club i expect to be there for 5 or 6 hours 4 hours or so for the game and the rest for a drink and something to eat,if you have to run round the course to get finished to be somewhere else its not the game for you i think,play 9 holes if you can only spare a couple of hours,but its a leisure sport and as such should be a leisurely stroll not a sprint.
I play in comps and it gets annoying when people keep looking at their watch tutting and saying they have to be somewhere in an hour when your stood on the 12,if you cant spare 5 hours to be on the golf course you have a poor work life balance.

You don't have to sprint to get round in three-and-half-hours. Just be ready to play when it's your turn, don't faff about, and walk briskly between shots. Unfortunately you are usually constrained by the speed of the groups ahead!