Playability test - with a difference

[Liverbirdie]

I didn't want to hijack the Craw's valid (IMO) thread, so thought I'd start a new one, as it has a particular difference/guideline.

Question is, should there be an upper handicap 'average' for 4 balls?

I.e. 4 x 28 h/cappers= 112, but it can have a detrimental effect on the following 5-6 games, if they don't let smaller/faster groups through. If an average is set (for busy times) of say 90, and the 4 handicaps are over that, then they have to go out in 2 x 2 balls instead.

Dont get me wrong, high handicaps does not mean no etiquette, and 4 high handicappers may be very polite and let groups through, when convenient, so no problem. This also would not have to apply to non-busy times.

However, the worst case scenario we all know is 4 high h/cappers, with no etiquette, can spoil it for 5-6 groups behind if they aren't letting people play through. At least if the pro-shop knows the score (handicap wise) before hand they can say we have a high h/capper rule, or at least explain it to the 4 players the score on playing through.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Way too complicated. All you need is a marshal running round on a buggy keeping everyone in check

 

[rosecott]

I.e. 4 x 28 h/cappers= 112, but it can have a detrimental effect on the following 5-6 games, if they don't let smaller/faster groups through. If an average is set (for busy times) of say 90, and the 4 handicaps are over that, then they have to go out in 2 x 2 balls instead.

How would that work? I wouldn't have thought that 4 x 28 handicappers playing in 2 x 2 balls would be any different - or very little different - to 4 playing in a 4-ball.

 

[bobmac]

Way too complicated. All you need is a marshal running round on a buggy keeping everyone in check

Best post of the week:thup:

 

[sweatysock41]

There's that assumption again that it is high handicappers that are slow - that is not always the case. There have been many instances in my golfing time where it is painfully slow deliberate low handicap golfers that are the hold up, checking their alignment and reading puts as if they are playing in a major.

:rant: SLOW PLAY IS NOT THE SOLE PRESERVE OF HIGH HANDICAPPERS!

 

[pbrown7582]

It's the lack of etiquette which is the problem IMO 4 x 28 h/cap doesn't instantly mean any slower than 4 x 18,

 

[GB72]

Not a fan of this idea, like others I actually find the play of low handicappers can be far slower as they can be more considered over their shots and can take more time on the green (I probably would as well if I had that few shots to spare).

 

[StrangelyBrown]

Way too complicated. All you need is a marshal running round on a buggy keeping everyone in check

I really don't want to have my subs increased to pay for a marshal.

 

[Matty]

A golf handicap is an indicator of your golfing ability, not your speed of play. Slow play is not exclusive to any single 'type' of golfer other than the 'slow player' type.

 

[thecraw]

There's that assumption again that it is high handicappers that are slow - that is not always the case. There have been many instances in my golfing time where it is painfully slow deliberate low handicap golfers that are the hold up, checking their alignment and reading puts as if they are playing in a major.

:rant: SLOW PLAY IS NOT THE SOLE PRESERVE OF HIGH HANDICAPPERS!

100% agree.

 

[In_The_Rough]

Having a Marshall or Marshalls on the course means more money that the club has to pay out on wages etc which in turn will mean higher Green fees and subs cant see many people being in favour of that. On the other point I find low handicappers groups to be far slower than high handicappers as the low cappers take time over every shot where as the majority of high handicappers will just walk up to the ball and hit it with not much or no routine. So the original post would not solve anything or work in any shape or form.

 

[bobmac]

Would the marshall have to be a paid post?
Maybe

• someone who has some spare time on their hands
• committee members
• pro/assistant pro
• club manager
• normal club volunteer

It doesn't have to be all day every day, just maybe once or twice round at the weekends and on society days.

I find low handicappers groups to be far slower than high handicappers as the low cappers take time over every shot where as the majority of high handicappers will just walk up to the ball and hit it with not much or no routine.

Sorry, can't agree there.
As has been said before, there are slow and quick players at all standards.

 

[FairwayDodger]

I played a round in Spain recently. I was on my own, out early, and for nine holes it was great, empty course. But folks can start on the 10th tee so I ran into traffic there and it was painful behind two three balls of complete duffers.

Fortunately, a marshall on a buggy had been despatched to speed them up. He made the first lot let me through and a couple of holes later he had to insist the others did likewise. This group had a clear course in front of them, me waiting every shot behind and one of them still gave me the evil eye.

So yeah, marshalls on buggies is the answer but few places can afford that.

Also agree slow play is not a problem restricted to high handicappers.

 

[Liverbirdie]

Firstly, as stated not all courses can employ marshalls.

I am not saying all high handicappers are slow, but 4 x 28 h/cappers will PROBABLY be very slow, and less likely to keep up with games in front. Not all low h/cappers are fast/slow either. I have also seen 28 h/cappers weigh up every putt/walk behind the flag/crouch to look at the putt then leave it 10 foot short.

The thing is based on probability and allied to bad etiquette, a 4 x 28 h/cappers will be slow. If the pro/marshall knows before hand he can have a word about etiquette or split them up, depending upon how he sees fit.

Even with extra time over shots by low h/cappers, it is still going to take a lot longer for 4 x 100 plus shots each (some into OOB, ditches,trees,rough etc) than 4 x 75 plus shots.

We all know on here that good etiquette answers most problems including this, but not all, so sometimes guidleines can also help. BTW, it was a question, not a statement.

 

[john0]

The best way to resolve the problem would be to introduce a rule whereby if any golfer has somebody playing behind them off a lower handicap than themselves, then they have to let them play through. This should teach all them slow high handicappers to put some more effort in to get their handicaps down and speed up play!

 

[In_The_Rough]

Would the marshall have to be a paid post?
Maybe

• someone who has some spare time on their hands
• committee members
• pro/assistant pro
• club manager
• normal club volunteer

It doesn't have to be all day every day, just maybe once or twice round at the weekends and on society days.



Sorry, can't agree there.
As has been said before, there are slow and quick players at all standards.

With regards to being a paid post for a Marshall probably as I cant see many putting their name forward for that as it is bound to involve varying levels of hassle and abuse, I certainly wouldn't do it for nowt thats for sure.

With regards to the 2nd point about which group is the slowest at my club most of the hold ups have been down to the low handicapper groups taking an age on every shot and putt so only speaking as I find, it might be different at other courses but I cannot comment on that.

 

[StrangelyBrown]

Would the marshall have to be a paid post?
Maybe

• someone who has some spare time on their hands
• committee members
• pro/assistant pro
• club manager
• normal club volunteer

It doesn't have to be all day every day, just maybe once or twice round at the weekends and on society days.

It's hard to find members willing to give up their spare time, plus (more seriously) it could lead to animosity from other members.

As for the pro / assistant giving up time to drive around the course instead of giving lessons, I think it's a non starter. They'd lose too much money.

 

[In_The_Rough]

It's hard to find members willing to give up their spare time, plus (more seriously) it could lead to animosity from other members.

As for the pro / assistant giving up time to drive around the course instead of giving lessons, I think it's a non starter. They'd lose too much money.

Just as I said above matey to much hassle and abuse involved for people to do it for nothing. As for the Pro's driving round in a buggy telling folks to get a move on is not something they would be happy doing or if I were the clubs head honchos something I would want them doing either.

 

[Liverbirdie]

The best way to resolve the problem would be to introduce a rule whereby if any golfer has somebody playing behind them off a lower handicap than themselves, then they have to let them play through. This should teach all them slow high handicappers to put some more effort in to get their handicaps down and speed up play!

De-bag them!!! If your not down to a teen handicap within 5 years of starting golf, de-gag them, I say!!!

 

[brendy]

Also agree slow play is not a problem restricted to high handicappers.

Wimmins too?


Lower handicappers tend to spend less time looking for balls, taking 2,3,4+ shots to get out of a bunker, reloading on the teebox,tending not to stand there on the green pointing with their putter like Nelsons sword counting the dozen or so shots then drawing a X on the card before trudging off the wrong side of the green to fetch the trolley.







:rofl: