Slow Play - what is it?

[ColchesterFC]

Reading the Slow Play/Solutions thread got me thinking what people think is a slow round. Different people seem to have differing ideas of what is slow. I'm not talking about the causes of slow play such as leaving a bag the wrong side of the green or marking a card on the green etc I mean the actual time taken to play 18 holes of golf.

Assuming a 3 ball in medal play.

 

[Andy808]

It really does depend on the course rather than a specific time for any course. Even on a single course then so many other factors have to be taken into account such as course conditions, weather, number of people on the course.
For me there is no hard and fast number but a round that is hindered little by waiting to play a shot is acceptable even if it takes 5 hours.

 

[backwoodsman]

I havered on this, thinking that 3 1/2 to 4 is about the right time to take. And on that basis, although it's a bit over, one can't really describe something just a bit over 4 as slow. Hence 4 1/2 or more is slowwww...

 

[moogie]

I'd always expect to play under 4hr rounds
At times, course dependant, you could be out 4.5hrs, but not "seem" any longer.

But anything over 4.5hrs seems like a slog to me

 

[bobmac]

Depends also on the standard of golf in your group.
If you're all pretty good and hit most fairways and greens then 4 hours will seem an eternity.
If you're all spraying all over the place, then 4.30 will seem fine.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Hells teeth.........someone thinks 5 hours is not slow [or on a wind up.]

 

[patricks148]

Depends also on the standard of golf in your group.
If you're all pretty good and hit most fairways and greens then 4 hours will seem an eternity.
If you're all spraying all over the place, then 4.30 will seem fine.

very true Bob, but course can make a difference. for instance Spey Valley takes 4 yours regardless of what tee's you play from due to the walk between green to the next tee, Castle Stuart is the same.

For me the slow rounds are the ones where i can't just walk to my ball and play my next shot straight away.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Hells teeth.........someone thinks 5 hours is not slow [or on a wind up.]

With the increase on course length and busy courses during Saturday's it will take some people 5 hours to get around some course and still be playing at a good pace.

 

[la_lucha]

I'd say slow play is having to wait on every shot. It's not a length of time per-se.

 

[ColchesterFC]

Hells teeth.........someone thinks 5 hours is not slow [or on a wind up.]

I was surprised by that as well. We've now got 3 people that don't think a 3 ball is slow until the round is over 5 hours.

And considering how often slow play is complained about on the forum I'm surprised by the number that went for 4+1/2 to 5 hours as well.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We will play three ball medal rounds in about 4 hours tops at my place. Anything over that considered a slow day

 

[Sybez]

How about this for a concept to speed things up...

First to putt out on the previous green makes their way to the next tee. 2nd player to finish does same, prop 20 secs behind first. 3rd and 4th finish up, a tend pin and move on to next tee where should be perfect timing as 1st and 2nd players have hit their tee shots.

I reckon you could knock 15 mins off a 3ball and maybe more on a 4ball once in a rhythm and forget the need to have an order for the "honor" on the next hole. This wastes a lot of time I feel...

Thoughts?

 

[HawkeyeMS]

It's not an overal length of time for a round, it's when you stand around waiting to play every shot.

 

[Slab]

How about this for a concept to speed things up...

First to putt out on the previous green makes their way to the next tee. 2nd player to finish does same, prop 20 secs behind first. 3rd and 4th finish up, a tend pin and move on to next tee where should be perfect timing as 1st and 2nd players have hit their tee shots.

I reckon you could knock 15 mins off a 3ball and maybe more on a 4ball once in a rhythm and forget the need to have an order for the "honor" on the next hole. This wastes a lot of time I feel...

Thoughts?

There's already a variation of this used on the junior USGA comps in the US, I read it wasn't warmly welcomed at first but they got used to it now and it is working


Separate note, it does seem as if there's many more initiatives and purpose coming from the US re slow play (maybe they have/had a bigger problem with it though) compared to the R&A who've recently published a broad survey to be discussed for another 18 months and then we might see some output

It reads as if clubs/courses in the US also take their responsibilities re pace far more seriously than the UK but I'm only basing that on forum information (or lack of) about what UK clubs are doing

I get the impression in the UK its thrown at the players to solve it all with threats/rules etc from the club but I don't hear anything about clubs assessing bottleneck points with a view to making changes for example