Pace Of Play - what can be done to improve it

[Piece]

[1] Ask OURSELVES "what can I do to be that little bit quicker?". All posts I see talk about others ("it's not me Guv"), but not one about how each of us can be quicker. We can all be quicker.

[2] Get rid of this 'play in turn' nonsense. First person ready on the tee or green plays, etc. On the fairway, rough, etc. if you're ready, you play. You'll find out very quickly who is slow in your group and they'll know very quickly too and do something about it. No-one wants to be left behind with a finger pointed at them.

[3]Remove long rough to stop delay in searching for balls.

 

[MikeH]

One of the things reading this thread says to me is that the majority of forumers are on the ball when it comes to pace of play.

Those who have commented seem to all be established golfers who understand the factors that create slow play (and have sound ideas about how to deal with them) and would be unlikely to be the person stood in the middle of the fairway only just starting a long pre-shot routine when everyone has played

what about the rest of the golfing population? Whether its established golfers who are oblivious to what they are doing or newcomers to the game who don't have the knowledge most folk on here have. Both would benefit from a better understanding of what causes pace of play issues and how to be part of the solution not the problem

To think the time it takes to play a round of golf is not a key issue affecting participation is naive. The R&A survey results that have been quoted was, in our view, skewed in that the vast majority of golfers who were responded (especially the UK demographic) were ardent golfers who played an average of 74 rounds a year. My view is that type of golfer (essentially me and you guys) might get annoyed by having to stand there while some numpty marks his card on the green or is frustrated by having to look for yours or a partner's ball in long grass under trees (thereby doubly penalising you) but it isn’t going to stop us playing golf.

As I said in my editors letter (July 15 issue) ask the demographic wanting to get into golf or those who play but could only dream of playing 74 rounds in year what the key reasons that are stopping them playing/playing more and the time it takes to play a round of golf will be right up there with cost

To say that because slow play doesn’t affect your golf it's not an issue worthy of coverage is, in my opinion, an incredibly selfish outlook.

One of Golf Monthly's remits is to help inform and educate golfers on things like the rules of golf, etiquette and pace of play and to do what we can to help tackle issues that are affecting participation. Sorry if it bores you!

 

[GB72]

One issue, if you want to call it that, is weekend golfers. I am one of these. People who get to play only once or sometimes twice a week who want to enjoy their round, play properly, putt out etc. My group are not slow but you do get groups of people who play every day and are less worried about a proper round, pick up on a bad hole, if they lose a ball just drop another etc and they feel everyone should do the same. Maybe they should but I play a reasonable amount to play that one round a week and I want to play it properly and enjoy it. Many will see that as selfish but it is my escape from the hassles of life and I do not want to be hurried round 18 holes in 3 hours

 

[TheCaddie]

1. Less rough, take it out! All grass at a manageable level that still offers a penalty.
2. Be Ready Golf - Especially on the greens. If your ball is closer, and it isn't in the other players line and they are still looking at their putt there should be no issue taking another putt - common sense
3. Education - I completely agree with the earlier point regarding the fact taht Pros are playing for millions of dollars, and therefore they will be slower, we all would. But we are not pros, and therefore we do not need to act like them when taking our shots, especially when most courses are not up to pro standards and therefore our shots often will not require that extreme level of accuracy as it might well be a bit of a lottery if the green holds, etc.
4. Be honest about your ability - We all want to improve and we all want to get better, but generally speaking if you are a high handicapper, you probably don't know how to read a green properly, or however hard you try, your 5i off the deck is a bit of a lottery. Practice to get better, but when you are on the course, be realistic about what you can and can't do and again.... use common sense!
5. Unless you are in a comp, or it effects handicap, maybe don't always look for that lost ball if you think the chances or finding are slim, take the punishment. This is maybe more applicable to practice and casual rounds that mean less to you, but again, would speed things up.

 

[Slicer30]

2 for me

1. Group of 3/4 players. 1 drive goes into the bundu/long grass and all others are in play. The guy who hit into the long grass should look for his ball, all others should play theirs first, then go and help him find his ball. For me nothing worse than watching 4 people ignore you while they look for a ball, then you have to wait for the 3 others to play theirs as well.

2. If you hit a bad tee-shot and will be first to play their second, dont faff around wiping your clubs and putting on headcovers. get down there and get your second away so the group can move beyond your ball.

 

[Slime]

Ideas to speed up play.

Weekly shot penalties to pros on the tours who are slow - i.e. taking longer than 3.5 hours for 18 holes as a two ball Start with Speith, Woods etc. The higher profile,the better. They would speed up and the avalanche of publicity would have a global effect on the golf world right down to the lowest level.



Hammer home the message that when it is your turn to play your shot, you have to be ready to hit the ball. Not be ready to start your two minutes of stupid faffing about.

It is your honour, hit the ball - NOW! If everyone understood this and put it into practice, slow play would simply disappear.

This simple message should come through all media platforms with mind numbing frequency from the R&A, the manufacturers, the golfing press, the golf tours and all golfers around the world. Spread the word. It will work....

This is a major factor in my humble opinion, especially on tees and greens.
When the first player in a four ball tees off, the next to go should be straight onto the tee box getting ready to play, not watching where the previous player's ball is going ............................ and the player who's just played can watch his own tee shot WHILST LEAVING THE TEE BOX!
Same rules apply on the green. The next to play gets ready to putt AS SOON as it's his/her turn.
This, from a slow player too!
Oh, and if you can't score, PICK UP ffs!


Slime.

 

[Slab]

One of the things reading this thread says to me is that the majority of forumers are on the ball when it comes to pace of play.

Those who have commented seem to all be established golfers who understand the factors that create slow play (and have sound ideas about how to deal with them) and would be unlikely to be the person stood in the middle of the fairway only just starting a long pre-shot routine when everyone has played

what about the rest of the golfing population? Whether its established golfers who are oblivious to what they are doing or newcomers to the game who don't have the knowledge most folk on here have. Both would benefit from a better understanding of what causes pace of play issues and how to be part of the solution not the problem

To think the time it takes to play a round of golf is not a key issue affecting participation is naive. The R&A survey results that have been quoted was, in our view, skewed in that the vast majority of golfers who were responded (especially the UK demographic) were ardent golfers who played an average of 74 rounds a year. My view is that type of golfer (essentially me and you guys) might get annoyed by having to stand there while some numpty marks his card on the green or is frustrated by having to look for yours or a partner's ball in long grass under trees (thereby doubly penalising you) but it isn’t going to stop us playing golf.

As I said in my editors letter (July 15 issue) ask the demographic wanting to get into golf or those who play but could only dream of playing 74 rounds in year what the key reasons that are stopping them playing/playing more and the time it takes to play a round of golf will be right up there with cost

To say that because slow play doesn’t affect your golf it's not an issue worthy of coverage is, in my opinion, an incredibly selfish outlook.

One of Golf Monthly's remits is to help inform and educate golfers on things like the rules of golf, etiquette and pace of play and to do what we can to help tackle issues that are affecting participation. Sorry if it bores you!

Just to be devils advocate though I'm wondering, even if its skewed if many of the regular golfers aren't seeing a particular slow pace issue, how does a person considering taking up golf or an infrequent golfer even begin to think there's any problem with rounds taking too long?

Q} What's stopping you taking up/playing golf

A} They said on TV/radio/online/magazine/newspaper that it takes too long & anyway all the gear I see for sale is very expensive

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

[1] Ask OURSELVES "what can I do to be that little bit quicker?". All posts I see talk about others ("it's not me Guv"), but not one about how each of us can be quicker. We can all be quicker.

[2] Get rid of this 'play in turn' nonsense. First person ready on the tee or green plays, etc. On the fairway, rough, etc. if you're ready, you play. You'll find out very quickly who is slow in your group and they'll know very quickly too and do something about it. No-one wants to be left behind with a finger pointed at them.

[3]Remove long rough to stop delay in searching for balls.

Absolutely - for each and every one of us this is the starting point. We have to rid ourselves of the denial that tells us it's everyone else and nothing to do with us - when part of the problem and part of the answer will be with each of us as individuals.

 

[delc]

I think the tour pros have a lot to answer for. They never seem to even think about their shot until it's their turn to play. Then the long discussion with their caddie, throwing up grass into the air to check the wind, consulting their yardage book, and endless practice swings before they commit to playing the shot, and even then they often back off. On the green seems even worse as they go through the aimpoint routine and line up their ball. There are tour pros such as Colin Montgomerie and John Daly who can play quickly and still be reasonably successful, so one wonders if all the time wasting pre-shot routines are really necessary! Main problem at club level is that all the impressionable youngsters watch tournament play on TV and ape everything the tour pros do! They are often much slower round the course than us old gits with arthritic hips etc. Sorry but the powers that be really do have to start penalising slow play in pro tournaments!

 

[bobmac]

[1] Ask OURSELVES "what can I do to be that little bit quicker?". All posts I see talk about others ("it's not me Guv"), but not one about how each of us can be quicker. We can all be quicker.

I dont agree. Why should someone have to play/walk at a speed determined by someone else?
As per my previous post, quick players out first and nip round, they're happy.
Players who want to take their time, play together in the PM, they're happy
Medium in the middle
Everyone's happy.
Live and let live

 

[FairwayDodger]

I dont agree. Why should someone have to play/walk at a speed determined by someone else?
As per my previous post, quick players out first and nip round, they're happy.
Players who want to take their time, play together in the PM, they're happy
Medium in the middle
Everyone's happy.
Live and let live

Sensible on the face of it but not always practical. I play at the time of day that suits - sometimes it's early to allow the afternoon for something else, sometimes it's late because I had other plans in the morning or was out late the night before.

 

[Slab]

This is a major factor in my humble opinion, especially on tees and greens.
When the first player in a four ball tees off, the next to go should be straight onto the tee box getting ready to play, not watching where the previous player's ball is going ............................ and the player who's just played can watch his own tee shot WHILST LEAVING THE TEE BOX!
Same rules apply on the green. The next to play gets ready to putt AS SOON as it's his/her turn.
This, from a slow player too!
Oh, and if you can't score, PICK UP ffs!


Slime.

Ah c'mon now, surely we havnt reached a point where the ideal way to speed up a round is to stop looking at your FC's shot (perhaps to help locate it) & the player isn't even allowed to remain fairly static on the tee box while his ball is in motion for 9 seconds

 

[TheCaddie]

I think the tour pros have a lot to answer for. They never seem to even think about their shot until it's their turn to play. Then the long discussion with their caddie, throwing up grass into the air to check the wind, consulting their yardage book, and endless practice swings before they commit to playing the shot, and even then they often back off. On the green seems even worse as they go through the aimpoint routine and line up their ball. There are tour pros such as Colin Montgomerie and John Daly who can play quickly and still be reasonably successful, so one wonders if all the time wasting pre-shot routines are really necessary! Main problem at club level is that all the impressionable youngsters watch tournament play on TV and ape everything the tour pros do! They are often much slower round the course than us old gits with arthritic hips etc. Sorry but the powers that be really do have to start penalising slow play in pro tournaments!

Disagree with this massively. When the difference between 1st and 20th place can be two shots spread over 4 days, and about a million dollars less in prize money, professional golfers have the right to take as long as they want to get the job done.

I just think it's an individuals responsibility to be aware of their own ability and that amateurs simply do not realise where they are at with their game. Work hard to improve on your game at the range / practice areas, or in practice rounds and then transfer that onto the course.

 

[Junior]

One of the things reading this thread says to me is that the majority of forumers are on the ball when it comes to pace of play.

Intersting point Mike.....I have played in a lot of forum meets both big and small and had 5 hour rounds and 3 hour rounds.

The key thing regarding pace of play for experienced golfers are conditions on the day and how hard the course is. I remember Hillside in a gale when the rough was up.....easily a 5 hour round and no one was really waiting on a shot, just looking for balls.

I honestly, have no idea for a solution other than to ban plesantries whilst walking down the fairway, go with a brisk walk to your ball and if its lost, only the player can look for his own ball (harsh!), and if you cant find it and you have not played a provisional, then your not allowed to go back - auto NR (medal) or blob the hole (stableford)

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I dont agree. Why should someone have to play/walk at a speed determined by someone else?
As per my previous post, quick players out first and nip round, they're happy.
Players who want to take their time, play together in the PM, they're happy
Medium in the middle
Everyone's happy.
Live and let live

The answer to this bit has to be because every player has responsibilities to all others. And if only those who want to take their time would play in the PM - but they don't. So then you have to do something about it. And no matter how long we are each individually happy to take for a round of golf, we can still look to our own play to see if we are taking a bit longer than we need to over any aspect of it.

 

[delc]

Disagree with this massively. When the difference between 1st and 20th place can be two shots spread over 4 days, and about a million dollars less in prize money, professional golfers have the right to take as long as they want to get the job done.

I just think it's an individuals responsibility to be aware of their own ability and that amateurs simply do not realise where they are at with their game. Work hard to improve on your game at the range / practice areas, or in practice rounds and then transfer that onto the course.

And I disagree with you massively! Tour pros still hit bad shots, despite all the elaborate pre-shot routines. One Major Champion when asked what his secret was replied "I miss them quickly", meaning he didn't put too much pressure on himself. Major Championships are the showcase for golf, and if they seem massively slow and boring, they are not a good advert for the sport.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

And I disagree with you massively! Tour pros still hit bad shots, despite all the elaborate pre-shot routines. One Major Champion when asked what his secret was replied "I miss them quickly", meaning he didn't put too much pressure on himself. Major Championships are the showcase for golf, and if they seem massively slow and boring, they are not a good advert for the sport.

The pros speed of play may not be a great advert for the game - but we are not talking about the pro game. We are talking about us mortals - there is nothing about the pro game that means I have to emulate their actions and pace of play. For me it's all about self-awareness and consideration for other golfers (and maybe we are not so good at that these days). Matthew 7:3

 

[pokerjoke]

Disagree with this massively. When the difference between 1st and 20th place can be two shots spread over 4 days, and about a million dollars less in prize money, professional golfers have the right to take as long as they want to get the job done.

I just think it's an individuals responsibility to be aware of their own ability and that amateurs simply do not realise where they are at with their game. Work hard to improve on your game at the range / practice areas, or in practice rounds and then transfer that onto the course.

I disagree with this massively if pros are left to take as long as it takes the game of golf on the tv would die people would switch off through boredom.

They are playing for millions so perhaps they could lower the prize money so it doesn't mean so much.

 

[bobmac]

The answer to this bit has to be because every player has responsibilities to all others. And if only those who want to take their time would play in the PM - but they don't. So then you have to do something about it. And no matter how long we are each individually happy to take for a round of golf, we can still look to our own play to see if we are taking a bit longer than we need to over any aspect of it.

So, what you are saying is you/we have to find a way of forcing slow players to play quicker?

every player has responsibilities to all others.

Surely that has to work both ways

If you put slow and fast players together, you are going to get someone unhappy.

Would you sit on the outside lane of the M1 at 8am doing 55mph?
No, of course not.
Would you force a slower driver to drive faster in the middle lane to keep you happy?
I would hope not

 

[Piece]

So, what you are saying is you/we have to find a way of forcing slow players to play quicker?




Surely that has to work both ways

If you put slow and fast players together, you are going to get someone unhappy.

Would you sit on the outside lane of the M1 at 8am doing 55mph?
No, of course not.
Would you force a slower driver to drive faster in the middle lane to keep you happy?
I would hope not

If you can't force/encourage/educate slow players to play quicker, then slow play will never be solved.