Slow play........ What's the solution?

[Neil_ingle]

Hi,

Like many clubs, mine suffers from some shocking examples of slow play and a lack of etiquette around the problem.

Now I know the correct thing to do is let's quicker groups through.

However I don't always think this helps the situation that much.

Yes the quick groups get through but the whole process of letting groups through slows the whole field down even further as inevitably the slow group is waiting to play while letting people through.

I think the solution should be something like putting "known" slower players at the back or start (with a gap) of a comp.

Slow play will eventually kill the game!

However after seeing how long the pros were taking to hit puts at the open on Thursday they aren't exactly setting a good example!!

Thoughts?
Neil (Cheshire)

 

[Imurg]

2 things.....

1. Speeding up the Pro game.

2. Education - of everyone, not just those starting out.
Many of the culprits have been playing for years so everyone needs educating.

 

[bobmac]

Course marshalls

 

[fundy]

Main thing for me is educating players what they should and shouldnt be doing and sadly the pro game is giving them far too many bad examples

Theres the obvious basics, leaving bag in right place, not marking card on green, being ready when its your turn, not too long a psr, one practise swing at most etc etc. Decent intervals in tee times (10 mins a min really) helps too

Players should try and think of others not just themselves. Far too many with the attitude of Ive paid my money Ill do as I like and sod everyone else sadly

 

[c1973]

Tasers.

 

[Leereed]

I think setting the course up for the conditions as our course never is. If it's in the book as a medal it gets played as one even if the wind is blowing a gale.the other thing is par 5's people waiting for the green to clear when they still have 300 yards to go.

 

[hovis]

The main problem with slow play is i have yet to find a player that admits to being slow.

I recently played a brigade final and two of the chaps i played with define the word slow. On the 7th they started moaning about slow play on their home courses!!!!!!!!!

 

[duncan mackie]

I think the solution should be something like putting "known" slower players at the back or start (with a gap) of a comp.

The solution should be closer to asking them to leave the club rather than accommodating them.

At least put them all out together so that the group reflects the individuals - so many times the other players play faster and faster to keep the group moving and the slow players true impact is negated.

By all means put them at the back of a competition field but, as bobmac knowingly points out, without marshals to insist that they then let through any following players if they still can't keep up (the end of the field is inherently slower overall) such that they don't impact anyone, you still run the risk of causing other inocent parties problems.

 

[Sybez]

Maybe we're all in too much of a rush to play the game we're supposed to be enjoying. Why not just accept the pace of play on the day and just get on with it rather than moaning? If you don't have time to enjoy a game that may take 4 hours to play.... don't?

 

[HawkeyeMS]

People just need to get on with it. Playing golf a a decent pace isn't hard.

 

[duncan mackie]

Maybe we're all in too much of a rush to play the game we're supposed to be enjoying. Why not just accept the pace of play on the day and just get on with it rather than moaning? If you don't have time to enjoy a game that may take 4 hours to play.... don't?

A course time of 4 hours for 4 balls wouldn't get me complaining - our guidance is 4h30m! It's when it runs out at 5h+ for 3 balls or BB matches that you know something somewhere is going wrong.

As a reference non of the last 3 forum H4H rounds got even close to 4 hours !

 

[bobmac]

our guidance is 4h30m!

That doesn't help matters

 

[Neil_ingle]

Maybe we're all in too much of a rush to play the game we're supposed to be enjoying. Why not just accept the pace of play on the day and just get on with it rather than moaning? If you don't have time to enjoy a game that may take 4 hours to play.... don't?

Yes I am in a rush for family reasons etc.

Also it frustrates me to know I can play a friendly three ball in circa 3 hours so why should I except people taking 4 1/2 hours +?

 

[hovis]

Maybe we're all in too much of a rush to play the game we're supposed to be enjoying. Why not just accept the pace of play on the day and just get on with it rather than moaning? If you don't have time to enjoy a game that may take 4 hours to play.... don't?

Because people with chaff all to do with their time other than play golf need to understand that some people do have other things to do like go to work, pick the kids up, drop the kids off, get the shopping, walk the dog. The list could go on

 

[duncan mackie]

That doesn't help matters

It's the reality of what 4 ball stableford games actually take with no-one else on the course and was set by the professional team. We play all comps in 3s and the good guys (average senior group of 18 handicappers); will get round in 3h 50 - put out a group of low handicappers and it's a lot longer! The noticeable difference is total time taken by a group on the green.

Combination of length overall, holes where the next tee is 150 yd away etc - it's not a function of rough height generally (although if that gets up at all lose play will add a lot to the time) if it was we would cut it!

 

[bobmac]

It's the reality of what 4 ball stableford games actually take with no-one else on the course and was set by the professional team. We play all comps in 3s and the good guys (average senior group of 18 handicappers); will get round in 3h 50 - put out a group of low handicappers and it's a lot longer! The noticeable difference is total time taken by a group on the green.

Combination of length overall, holes where the next tee is 150 yd away etc - it's not a function of rough height generally (although if that gets up at all lose play will add a lot to the time) if it was we would cut it!

So the low h/caps are the problem at your course and the seniors virtually run round in 3h 50m as a 3 ball?

If that's the same for all courses, I'm pleased I dont play much golf any more.

 

[Old Skier]

Realistic tee times was our solution. We have a 320 starting par 4 and by letting that clear greatly reduces the backing up so we have 10 min for 4 balls

 

[chrisd]

Because people with chaff all to do with their time other than play golf need to understand that some people do have other things to do like go to work, pick the kids up, drop the kids off, get the shopping, walk the dog. The list could go on

Is that why the people with chaff all to do get carved up on the motorway going home from the course by ignoramuses who have too much to do with so little time to do it?

 

[hovis]

Seniors at my place are the slowest by far. However, they are good fellas and simply move aside and let us through. They have a blast on the course so i can understand why they take their time. It looks fun

I think slow play is simply down to not being ready when its your turn. Even if my ball is ahead of my pp's i walk to it as long as im not in the line of fire. By the time they've gone I've already worked out my yardage and adjustments.
It seems some people think golf is football and god forbid you walk ahead of the last man and get caught offside.
Also, what's wrong with playing out of turn. Many times have i been ready and just gone because my pp is faffing about with something

 

[hovis]

Is that why the people with chaff all to do get carved up on the motorway going home from the course by ignoramuses who have too much to do with so little time to do it?

Start a new thread. apples and pears