How to tell a friend their game has gotten REALLY slow?

[dorsetaussie]

So we have a bunch of friends and colleagues who play regularly. Two people have lately got really slow - lining up putts, infinite practice swings reading the putt FOREVER. It's got to the point where people don't want to play with them.

Any advice on how to broach this with them without causing grief?

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

An Aussie in Dorset......first name Terry by any chance??

 

[dorsetaussie]

'fraid not - there's not many of us though.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Welcome along anyway :thup:

I thought you aussie's were pretty good at telling it how it is, just come straight out with it.......honest he'll love you for it

 

[williamalex1]

Be straight and to the point, " listen cobber get the efin finger out and speed up, cause your way too slow mate". Then we'll have time for a few Fosterries or maybe a few xxxx. :rofl:

 

[Captainron]

You just have to come out and say it. Ask them if they're waiting for the grass to grow a bit so the putts break less?

 

[Oddsocks]

Be straight and to the point, " listen cobber get the efin finger out and speed up, cause your way too slow mate". Then we'll have time for a few Fosterries or maybe a few xxxx. :rofl:

Just keep playing, out of turn, not your honours but tee off first etc... They will get the hint. If questioned " I'm playing ready golf and you wasn't ready! "

 

[Hobbit]

"we're losing ground on the group in front and holding the group behind up. If the group behind are waiting on the tee before we hit our second shots, I'm waving them through."

The use of "we" doesn't point a finger at any one person. And so many golfers nowadays detest the thought of waving someone through I'm sure it'll have the desired effect. Alternatively, just tell 'em "your pre-shot routines are far too slow and, as a favour, I'm telling you that you're getting a reputation as a very slow player."

 

[PhilTheFragger]

You need to make up something similar to the Fosters "Paddle of Rebuke"
Hours of endless fun on the course

Just tell him straight, but in a caring way

 

[ScienceBoy]

Tell them a story about two golfing chipmunks who took to long...

 

[dorsetaussie]

Thank you, Gentlemen.

It seems it'll fall to some straightforward Aussie talk to sort it out!

 

[Imurg]

Ask if they're waiting for an engraved invitation.....

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

As others - be blunt. Just tell them 'guys - you are playing too slow' Don't elaborate unless they ask. And if they say something like 'uh - OK - point taken' leave it at that unless later on or next time out and still too slow just say 'still too slow guys'

 

[Alex1975]

If these guys are your friends it should be easy. "Dude, you two have got SLLLLOOOOWWW. pick it up a little!"

Clearly its all about the tone you use.

 

[BoadieBroadus]

try the sabbatini approach. while they're lining up their 2 footers for double bogey just march off to the next tee and tee off.

 

[londonlewis]

try the sabbatini approach. while they're lining up their 2 footers for double bogey just march off to the next tee and tee off.

Hahaha, brilliant.

That will make someone speed up for sure.

I would just be honest with them though.

'Mate, not sure what's changed but you used to play golf at a good speed and you've become a much slower golfer. The issue is that we are holding people up and I can't afford to spend an additional hour playing golf as I also want to spend time with the kids etc... I'm not having a go and I hope you see where I am coming from'

 

[shortstuff]

As others - be blunt. Just tell them 'guys - you are playing too slow' Don't elaborate unless they ask. And if they say something like 'uh - OK - point taken' leave it at that unless later on or next time out and still too slow just say 'still too slow guys'

Usual response to this will be "I don't need to rush my shots - it's not busy" etc etc. Sorry been here before and it's not pretty. If they don't listen be prepared to not play with them again.

 

[BoadieBroadus]

Hahaha, brilliant.

That will make someone speed up for sure.

in the end though, Rory sabbatini got loads of grief for doing it, and Ben Crane, to whom it was done, is still deathly slow, so maybe it wouldn't work after all

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Usual response to this will be "I don't need to rush my shots - it's not busy" etc etc. Sorry been here before and it's not pretty. If they don't listen be prepared to not play with them again.

As for too much in golf these days that sort of response would indicate a selfish 'it's all about me' attitude that rather does my head in.

So I'd respond 'maybe - but still too slow for the rest of us and putting us off our game'

Then you'll find out what sort of friends he is.

 

[londonlewis]

in the end though, Rory sabbatini got loads of grief for doing it, and Ben Crane, to whom it was done, is still deathly slow, so maybe it wouldn't work after all

Fair point.

But slightly different circumstances. They are professionals, not friends.