Slow play does not seem to be a problem?

[pokerjoke]

Blackmoors afternoon round took 5 and a half hours.
On the course we were having a right moan on some holes where we were waiting 5 minutes to drive,however it didnt seem too much of a problem as it was enjoyable none the less.
So is it really that big a problem or do we tend to moan a bit more when were having a crap round.
Golf is always going to be more enjoyable if your having a good round.
Or is it the circumstances that cause us too moan.
For example if your short of time it is always longer than you want it to be,so we moan.
Or your in a big comp and you take a bit more time over each shot so it takes a lot longer,but you dont mind because each shot is important.
For me 5 and a half hours was way too long,im normally 3 and a half tops,but is it the circumstances,and the importance of the game thats the problem.
Long winded,but im sure you get the point im trying to make.

 

[Twire]

That was for 27 holes though....wasn't it?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The pace of play was slow. We were moaning too about waiting on every shot but what can you do. In defence of Blackmoor I think the greens were providing a challenge to many who weren't use to surfaces that quick or hard to read and so it is always going to be slower to hole out. Like you we were enjoying the round and to be honest in the heat were grateful of some stops to have a drink in the shade. I'm use to no more than 4 hours at my place so found it tough to keep focussed but on a great course with great views and in decent company what wasn't to enjoy?

 

[Oddsocks]

Poker, we was the same on Sunday too at Camberley, but if I'm honest I don't think it was slow people, just the heat totally draining people. No body that I saw was walking at what I would call a normal walking pace which you would be used to in cooler conditions, and with sweat by the buckets from most it seems a lot of people where drying hands, putting gloves back on and taking time over their shots before playing them, this all adds up.

Our 4 ball was great, there was some banter, sarcasm and at time even some good golf shots, but 3 of us just seemed to be happy being out and enjoying the walk, and one seemed to be taking it very serious. Now that player made it pretty clear from the off he was hoping to put in good scores for the win and i admire he's attempts and concentration for doing so, but the other 3 me included were more happy pulling off the odd good shot and not being stuck in an office or at work.

Is this just a case that some players wanted to back up their game which the type about here on a regular basis, and others said screw it ....

 

[pokerjoke]

No Twire its was for the 18 in the afternoon.
I agree Homer if your all enjoying it and having some good banter,time doesnt matter.
I also agree with Oddsocks,the conditions slowed it down,and the reading of the greens.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Our 4 ball was great, there was some banter, sarcasm and at time even some good golf shots, but 3 of us just seemed to be happy being out and enjoying the walk, and one seemed to be taking it very serious. Now that player made it pretty clear from the off he was hoping to put in good scores for the win and i admire he's attempts and concentration for doing so, but the other 3 me included were more happy pulling off the odd good shot and not being stuck in an office or at work.

Who was that then?

 

[Oddsocks]

I think a lot of people were reading lines that wasn't there. I know a few time I did, and a few others in my group also. I'm convinced that green keep is going through some sort of crisis and we all had to pay, 7th and 14th spring to mind the most.

 

[DCB]

Five and a half hours....... was that just for one round

 

[Aztecs27]

Our 4 ball was great, there was some banter, sarcasm and at time even some good golf shots, but 3 of us just seemed to be happy being out and enjoying the walk, and one seemed to be taking it very serious. Now that player made it pretty clear from the off he was hoping to put in good scores for the win and i admire he's attempts and concentration for doing so, but the other 3 me included were more happy pulling off the odd good shot and not being stuck in an office or at work.

Who was that then?

I think he's talking about Monday's groupings, Homer.

I, for one don't know what you lot are on about. Myself, TXL, IMurg and Richart took a leisurely 4 hour stroll round before settling in on the balcony with a cold drink watching you all knob your second (or third and fourth as was sometimes the case shots into the green on 18.

 

[Aztecs27]

I think a lot of people were reading lines that wasn't there. I know a few time I did, and a few others in my group also. I'm convinced that green keep is going through some sort of crisis and we all had to pay, 7th and 14th spring to mind the most.

Had my best putt of the day on 7 in the morning. Left my 3rd (after punching out of the trees on the right for my second) on the bottom left of the green. Nudged it up the hill around 30ft+ to within a foot. Marvellous.

The other 26 holes were generally a different story though. Wish I'd kept track of the number of 3 putts I'd had. Any two putt on those greens is an achievement in itself!

 

[USER1999]

It was very slow all day at Balckmoor.

I think alot of it comes down to gaps on the first tee. If you start out too close to the group in front, then any hold ups anywhere on the course chug back through the field.

It also doesn't help having so many players playing a course they have never played before.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Thought the 5th was the worse green. Anything above the hole and a gnats breath on the ball sent it 10 feet past. Smiffy hardly touched it in the morning and it ran and ran. I foolishly left a similar putt in the afternoon and was please to have a 6 foot return

 

[richart]

We were out first and took 4 1/2 hours, including a long stop at the half way hut for drinks and an ice cream. It was very hot so not rushing, and the greens were difficult so not many putts holed (apart from Anthony TXL who holed everything inside 10 feet)

Not sure about the comments regarding the crisis of the greens ? Pin position at 7 is only used for comps, and as previously mentioned, green staff did not have time to change. I didn't get the chance to putt 14, but Imurg holed a birdie putt,TXL just missed his, and Aztecs got down in two putts from the back. Only pin that I found too severe was 5 from the left hand side.

To take 5 1/2 hours to go round is down to the forum members pace of play, as there were no hold ups in front of us as the first group out. The course is also a fairly short walk, although you can get caught waiting for other tees and greens to play out. 4 hours is normal for a club competition, but later groups do get slower. The tightness of the course can lead to a fair bit of ball hunting though.

Sorry to hear that some did not enjoy their day, and some were taking it too seriously ?

 

[USER1999]

Despite the pace of play I had a cracking day. And I'd take that weather over what was forecast for sure.

Didn't really find the greens that much of an issue either.

Main problem for me was the 200 yard par three to an up turned bowl. To me, if it was shortened to about 170, it would play alot better.

 

[pokerjoke]

Cant believe someone didnt enjoy the day,i loved it

 

[Oddsocks]

rich at no point did i say i didnt enjoy it, you guys laid on fantastic day and i think having the pins in their positions made for better more challenging putts and showed just how tight the course can be and how accurate your approach needed to be. The pin on 14 for example. you was better off below it with an uphill putt than beside it. I left mine approximately 10ft away pin high on the right side of the green and I read a 4ft break in, if id read 3ft 11 inches it would have dropped.

Unfortunately the downside to challenging pin placements is always going to be more time spent on the greens.

Would i change anything about this weekends golf.. Yup the heat, that's it!

Would love to play Blackmoor again when the heat isn't so sapping.

 

[Tommo21]

5 and a half hours. I would need a nap at the 9th FFS.

 

[richart]

Not referring to you OS, but I didn't know rounds were taking 5 1/2 hours. That pace of play makes me think some would not have enjoyed themselves.

I may be partly to blame for the difficulty of greens. Choosing to play the day after the clubs biggest competition, there was a good chance they were going to be difficult. A lot of the pin positions I had never seen before.

Judging by the results the low handicappers coped best, and I apologise to those that really struggled. In the members competition the winning score was 139, one over handicap over 36 holes. Just shows how well Gary (Region3) played to get 36 points off 7/8.

I am surprised that anyone playing in a forum Meet should take it so seriously, and just wants to win. I hope it was not one of my guests (member). As most know if there was no banter I wouldn't bother.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Main problem for me was the 200 yard par three to an up turned bowl. To me, if it was shortened to about 170, it would play alot better.

15th hole - 5 wood and pitch it in the slope at the front and roll it out to 10 feet. Routine two putt par

 

[richart]

Main problem for me was the 200 yard par three to an up turned bowl. To me, if it was shortened to about 170, it would play alot better.

15th hole - 5 wood and pitch it in the slope at the front and roll it out to 10 feet. Routine two putt par

Normally plays into the wind, so easier to hold. When we played it was more down wind. Local knowledge, hit in front right bunker and simple sandy for TXL and myself.