Slow/Fast Play

[Herbie]

Even though there is a variation in pace of play and a variation in peoples opinions, one thing I see from the comments is that peoples play standards can be affected by the pace of play. I for one cannot play very good golf if the pace is over 4 hrs, if nearer 5 hrs my game has gone.It happens to golfers from all levels of play, you only have to look back at tour pros scoring down the field a little, not many people are aware of the 11 to 16 over par first rounds for the kind of pros who cannot manage slow play. Occasionally the issue is raised in the pro game but rarely anything done about it which is unfair.
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Because players play their best golf at their own optimum speed there should be a standard which covers all golfers...eg a 4 hr max play rate would be fair to all, not only that it would be fairer from health point of view too!

It has been noted over recent yrs that the average round is taking longer than in the past(maybe because increased popularity and number of clubs increases number of elderly and high h/c players, I dont know?). Its all very well considering the high h/c player or slow player, where is the consideration for faster players?

I noted at St andrews when I played there they had stewards on the course litterally telling people to get a move on if they were playing below a certain rate , one elderly group removed from the course when they argued this.

I have played golf for many yrs with many h/c level players and 4 hrs or less is very reasonable to expect anyone to play at.


I also wholeheartedly agree with murphthedog, very simple but right.

 

[USER1999]

Oh no, I have become a dog!

Woof?

 

[DCB]

hh,

Why does your club take society bookings at the weekend ? What type of club is it? As members surekly you can bring this up and if enough of you are against this type of thing have it dealt with at an AGM.

There won't be many members clubs up here that take societies at weekends unless the fixture card is very quiet. Weekends are the ony time the vasdt majority of memebers get the chance to play.

 

[vig]

I was out yesterday and came up behind a behind a father and son on the 13th, father waited until the green had cleared before teeing off (just short of 300yds par 4) nothing wrong in that normally however after eyeing his shot for about a minute then 5 or 6 practice swings, he proceeded to hit the ball 6 yds left, threw his club down, let out a few expletives then did it all again. The lad, playing off the ladies tees took just as long to get it away, obviously copying the father, just hope he doesn't show the same petulance when mis-hitting. They played the hole and I followed. As I finished the hole and proceeded to the next tee, they were still on the bloody tee. I played out that hole and picked up for an early finish.
I went out this afternoon and wouldn't have been surprised if they were still playing the 18th.

While i'm out today I was on the 13th green when I heard the sound of club on ball then saw a middle aged chap appeared from the trees that seperate the green from the adjoining fairway (3rd), one club in hand, he set off running after his ball, another hit and off he went again. I finished the round and was putting my clubs in the car when another two blokes were discussing it. apparently he completed the course in 49 minutes. I hope he was doing it for charity. What sort of nutter would run round a course with one club in 49 minutes if they weren't?

 

[haplesshacker]

Viscount.

Whilst I agree with your sentiment that golf is not a social game. We are playing the course and ourselves, and as a competion that's how it is.

However we either play with friends, even in comps, or are playing socially, even with strangers. Sometimes we are with these people for upto 5 hours, we can't ignore them, even just out of politeness.

Now, I'm no good at small talk, and I apparently show my disinterest in someone very easily. Which makes dealing with people I don't know quite difficult. (That's why this forum is quite good, cause I can leave a topic or join in as I feel like it). However, I can sell pretty much anything. It's because I have a focus, and there is a point to the discussion. Anyway back to the point. It's one reason why I hate 5 hour rounds; I have to make small talk!!

 

[neald]

i agree.how are we supposed to get any better if you cant take the time to think over your shots,or putt without rushing.i think too much emphasis is made over slow play to the extent that half the time it can ruin your round.i ve just boughy my daughter some clubs yet i ll have to keep her on the pitch an putt due to the pressure of not wanting to play too slow.i just wish half of these arrogant superstars on my local would remember what its like when you first start playing,as long as i allow them to play through as soon as i can whats the problem!!!!!!!

 

[haplesshacker]

BTW. Welcome to the mad house Neald.

I don't think that slow play itself is a problem, just the causes of it. Ignorance, lack of general good manners, etiquette, etc (see my earlier post). Must admit it's probably these things that wind me up more than just slow play per se.

Good luck to your daughter. Just remember that a big 18 holer course can be quite intimidating for a beginner, even an adult. So get to be a demon on the p and p, and she'll be a better golfer for it.

 

[neald]

as my missus has just pointed out,i wrote boughy instead of bought so just to clarify, i bought my daughter some golf clubs.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have to say I consider myself lucky in that I play at a private members club that doesn't allow societies at weekends and consequently do not have to endure the same heartbreak as many of those who use municiples and get stuck behind beginners or those with no idea of etiquette or responsible behaviour on the course.

That said I am not immune from the slow play disease. We have a group of 8-20 who go out first thing on a Saturday (around 7.30) and they are the slowest golfers you will ever see in many a day. I'm sure because they have the course to themselves they think that they can meander as slowly as they like and have never stopped to realise that they are actually setting the pace of thecourse for the day. My regular fourball have teed off amongst them on several occasions (we just got in the queue) much to their chagrin, but could we get through the only other group on the course. Not a chance.

The next regualr greedy are just as bad and they tend to go out between 8 and 8.30. They are larger in number but to be fair their level of golf is erratic at best but they are evewn worse. With one, maybe two exceptions, they wouldn't let a group through if their life depended on it. Even when you point out that they are holding play up (sometimes we have three groups on on par 3) and they have lost a hole they just say there is no where for the group to go if they let them through. Are they for real?

Simply put, slow play is a menace in golf and is only going to get worse. Private clubs are not immune and people who pay serious wedge to be members act no better than drunken oiks or rank beginners on the local pay and play. I don't know what the solution is other than to be as clear and clam headed abot it as possible and not to book anything important for Saturday afternoons!

 

[viscount17]

as my missus has just pointed out,i wrote boughy instead of bought so just to clarify, i bought my daughter some golf clubs.

don't worry, we all have dyslectic fingers at times, welcome aboard

 

[viscount17]

Viscount.

Whilst I agree with your sentiment that golf is not a social game. We are playing the course and ourselves, and as a competion that's how it is.

However we either play with friends, even in comps, or are playing socially, even with strangers. Sometimes we are with these people for upto 5 hours, we can't ignore them, even just out of politeness.

Now, I'm no good at small talk, and I apparently show my disinterest in someone very easily. Which makes dealing with people I don't know quite difficult. (That's why this forum is quite good, cause I can leave a topic or join in as I feel like it). However, I can sell pretty much anything. It's because I have a focus, and there is a point to the discussion. Anyway back to the point. It's one reason why I hate 5 hour rounds; I have to make small talk!!

I can relate to this! Just that there is a difference between being sociable and some of the neverending gabfests that take place in the most inappropriate places, tees, greens, supermarket aisles, . . .