sev112
Tour Winner
Todays gentle debate ...
Thoughts / Views / Opinions / Statements of disgust and shock ???
Thoughts / Views / Opinions / Statements of disgust and shock ???
Should 5 -balls be allowed on a golf course ?
- Thread starter sev112
- Start date
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
NO
on the last few days evidence its borderline whether 4 balls should be allowed on the time some people think is acceptable for 18 holes
on the last few days evidence its borderline whether 4 balls should be allowed on the time some people think is acceptable for 18 holes
Good question, I think that certain members of our club could easily make it round our course keeping up with the 4 ball ahead while keeping ahead off the guys behind. 5 balls through the timesheet would be suicide though.
sev112
Tour Winner
Good points
However, if there was no time issue - ie empty course, keeping up with groups in front etc. is it necessary to ban then ?
However, if there was no time issue - ie empty course, keeping up with groups in front etc. is it necessary to ban then ?
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
No reason to not have them - if they let faster playing groups through.
YOu couldn't do it in a Medal as it would take forever but in a Social context I don't think there's a problem.
What's the difference between a slow 4 ball and a moderately-paced 5 ball...?
Not a lot.
So gang up if you like - but let people through asap.
YOu couldn't do it in a Medal as it would take forever but in a Social context I don't think there's a problem.
What's the difference between a slow 4 ball and a moderately-paced 5 ball...?
Not a lot.
So gang up if you like - but let people through asap.
palindromicbob
Tour Winner
If it isn't busy and no one is needs to get around quickly then maybe it would be ok as long as they let fast groups through. 4 though seems to be the ideal number to ensure a decent average pace of play without huge waits between shots. Imagine you are playing in a 5 ball. You hit first, Drive 240 down the center of the fairway (I wish). Next guy hits OOB. The next 2 hit around 180. 1 hits into the rough about 150.
This means you'll have to watch and wait for at least 8 shots before you get your next one. In an 4 ball you'd be waiting at least 6. Say average time of 45 seconds per shot, that's 1 minute 30 just on shots never mind walking up to the balls, finding them etc. Not extrapolate that across 18 holes. It would make it take a pretty long time.
This means you'll have to watch and wait for at least 8 shots before you get your next one. In an 4 ball you'd be waiting at least 6. Say average time of 45 seconds per shot, that's 1 minute 30 just on shots never mind walking up to the balls, finding them etc. Not extrapolate that across 18 holes. It would make it take a pretty long time.
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
But if you're only out there for the social side it wouldn't matter.
chris661
Money List Winner
On a side note what about mixed foursomes and having four balls in play making it an 8 ball
In a comp four is pushing it sometimes depending on who it is.
Mungoscorner
Journeyman Pro
No reason why we shouldn't have 5 balls,if all groups were 5 balls,it wouldn't matter.
My only concern would be the amount of time between shots,i'm methodical but i do like to keep moving.
My only concern would be the amount of time between shots,i'm methodical but i do like to keep moving.
swanny32
Journeyman Pro
I went out in a 5 ball a couple weeks ago (although I wasn't happy about breaking the rules) we were all members and managed to keep up with the group in front which was only a 3 ball! I think at certain times it should be allowed, i.e when the course is empty, which luckily for us it was that day.
sev112
Tour Winner
A year or so ago, we were a 3 ball and a 2 ball (or teh other way round) spent countless holes not getting through the visiting 3 ball ahead. We weren't too worried, it was a friday social round of golf, we weren't rushing, but by teh 16th tee all 5 of us were waiting for the group to hole out.
We were something like 3 or 4 holes ahead of the next group behind us, so we joined together on the 16th and played the last 3 holes in as a 5.
The 3 ball in front got in, and went and complained to our Pro, who came out and gave us a B*****Ing cos 5 balls werent allowed
Another wonderful golf "rule" gone mad - i think we could give Health & Safety myths a better run for their money when it comes to common sense
??????????
We were something like 3 or 4 holes ahead of the next group behind us, so we joined together on the 16th and played the last 3 holes in as a 5.
The 3 ball in front got in, and went and complained to our Pro, who came out and gave us a B*****Ing cos 5 balls werent allowed
Another wonderful golf "rule" gone mad - i think we could give Health & Safety myths a better run for their money when it comes to common sense
??????????
bogside84
Assistant Pro
At my course 5 balls are allowed during the winter BUT they have no standing on the course.It is not the first time that we have been held up by 2 & 3 balls. If it does not cause problems then why not.
Matty
Tour Rookie
The number of players in a group, to me, is irrelevant provided they are keeping up with the group in front and not holding up the group behind.
If there is a 2 ball playing slow this has to be worse than a 5 ball playing at the same pace as everyone else.
I think it's time something was done to address slow play from the clubs up, rather than the rule makers down. Penalising pros will take an age to drip down into the amateur game now and at the end of the day the pros pay their bills based on their shots.
Exactly what clubs could do though is something for a better mind to figure out!
If there is a 2 ball playing slow this has to be worse than a 5 ball playing at the same pace as everyone else.
I think it's time something was done to address slow play from the clubs up, rather than the rule makers down. Penalising pros will take an age to drip down into the amateur game now and at the end of the day the pros pay their bills based on their shots.
Exactly what clubs could do though is something for a better mind to figure out!
chris661
Money List Winner
The problem is we, club golfers, pay for it. If people start getting penalised for slow play then they walk away and the clubs cab't afford for that to happen.
PhilTheFragger
Provider of Entertainment for the Golfing Gods 🙄
All clubs should have a marshall on duty at the pro shop,
If you feel that you are being held up by the group in front and they are not letting you through, a quick phone call will rouse him from his warm comfy habitat ,
The situation can be quickly assessed and the group in front told to let you through.
Once this happens a few times, people will become more aware, much in the same way that in football, the refs need to start sending off and awarding penalties against the defenders who wrap their arms around opposing players at corners etc.
A course marshall at our place is well over due
Fragger
If you feel that you are being held up by the group in front and they are not letting you through, a quick phone call will rouse him from his warm comfy habitat ,
The situation can be quickly assessed and the group in front told to let you through.
Once this happens a few times, people will become more aware, much in the same way that in football, the refs need to start sending off and awarding penalties against the defenders who wrap their arms around opposing players at corners etc.
A course marshall at our place is well over due
Fragger
goldenbare
Challenge Tour Pro
NO
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
Guess what?
We have one.
He scoots around on his buggy mostly at times when the Course is virtually empty, where is he at busy times? God alone knows....
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
Doesn't that show he's working though?
Philm
Challenge Tour Pro
though i understand that in principle a quick 5 ball will take no longer or even less time than a slow 4 ball.
if it is allowed you wont only have quick players huddling together in 5balls, it will the same old farts in their 60s bunching up in the hope that no one will dare play through all 5 of them.
i think people need to learn that taking forever over a shot will not help you play it better.
i have one particular friend who takes forever over each shot. its embarassing at times. he will line a putt up for a minute or so and then hit it long on the wrong line or short on the wrong line(he has no real preference)
when on the fairway he take forever to choose clubs, then chat about why he has choosen that club then take two or 3 practice swings, then possibly step away from the ball to check his line, and then hit a horror fade onto the next fairway.
in my opinion if your handicap is 20 or above you would probably play better if you spend less time over the ball with stupid thoughts running through your head.
check your line, choose your club, hit the ball.
leave all the chit chat and crap for the pros and society days when there is no pressure on time at all
Phil
if it is allowed you wont only have quick players huddling together in 5balls, it will the same old farts in their 60s bunching up in the hope that no one will dare play through all 5 of them.
i think people need to learn that taking forever over a shot will not help you play it better.
i have one particular friend who takes forever over each shot. its embarassing at times. he will line a putt up for a minute or so and then hit it long on the wrong line or short on the wrong line(he has no real preference)
when on the fairway he take forever to choose clubs, then chat about why he has choosen that club then take two or 3 practice swings, then possibly step away from the ball to check his line, and then hit a horror fade onto the next fairway.
in my opinion if your handicap is 20 or above you would probably play better if you spend less time over the ball with stupid thoughts running through your head.
check your line, choose your club, hit the ball.
leave all the chit chat and crap for the pros and society days when there is no pressure on time at all
Phil
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
Working - Yeah
Just at completely the wrong times....
