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

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

If the majority use a trolly and if these do indeed increase the time required for a round then there's two options, somehow make up that additional time in other aspects of the game (difficult if there's not much wiggle room) or increase the amount of time it takes to play a round such that there is zero expectation of a round being complete in xxx minutes

Hey presto no more slow play due to trolly's

Bit like SouthWest Trains issuing new timetables - that all seemed to have the trains arriving in Waterloo 10mins later than before. And hey presto - a lot fewer late running trains; fewer service penalties, and passengers expectations of their arrival time changed

 

[drdel]

I'd like to see the statistical proof that trolley users are slower. There are too many variables to make that claim. I suspect that the golfers who use carry bags are probably (on average) younger than those using a trolley and consequently may also walk slightly quicker.

Golfers who do not put their trolley ready for the next hole would probably do exactly the same with a carry-.

I always used to use a carry bag but an injured shoulder led me to use a trolley because the straps caused pain. Used it ever since and my personal experience is the time I take to do a solo round hasn't changed one iota.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

When i played golf in Cyprus the group in front were given a warning by the Marshall. By the 8th hole they were still slow so the marshal said " your 35 minutes behind so can you make your way directly to the 11th tee" they wasn't happy thay they missed out holes but it done the job

draconian - but effective I suppose

 

[Slab]

Bit like SouthWest Trains issuing new timetables - that all seemed to have the trains arriving in Waterloo 10mins later than before. And hey presto - a lot fewer late running trains; fewer service penalties, and passengers expectations of their arrival time changed

While there's obviously some intended humour in the notion, the last part of your post does suggest that if golfers time expectations could be managed better the slow play issue such as it is would be further reduced

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I am not sure trolly users are any slower than carrying players. It's more about what a player does when they get to the ball or the green. As for making more people carrying, that will preclude many seniors, for most clubs the back bone of the club in the week when most members are working. Sadly too many members have the "over my dead body" attitude to letting players through and no amount of education or on course arguing is going to change their view. Not sure what they can do other than employing more marshalls (and the potential costs to a club unless you find someone prepared to volunteer regularly).

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I'd like to see the statistical proof that trolley users are slower. There are too many variables to make that claim. I suspect that the golfers who use carry bags are probably (on average) younger than those using a trolley and consequently may also walk slightly quicker.

Golfers who do not put their trolley ready for the next hole would probably do exactly the same with a carry-.

I always used to use a carry bag but an injured shoulder led me to use a trolley because the straps caused pain. Used it ever since and my personal experience is the time I take to do a solo round hasn't changed one iota.

Whatever other variables come into it - if you can take your clubs to your ball wherever it is lying then you must be in a position to play sooner than if you have to leave your bag 20-30yds away. And when carrying I suggest most will want to get from A to B as quick as possible to put their bag down. No such 'want' when using a trolley - so more likely to saunter.

 

[Crocodile JD]

Might be a bit drastic but may be a rules change so that higher handicapers can only play stableford not medal and be made to pick up after not being able to score point failure to do so could mean N/R perhaps ?

 

[chellie]

Might be a bit drastic but may be a rules change so that higher handicapers can only play stableford not medal and be made to pick up after not being able to score point failure to do so could mean N/R perhaps ?

Playing off a high handicap doesn't automatically mean we are slow. The slowest games I've had or been behind have been with low handicappers.

 

[Paul77]

When I drove into the car par the other night, I saw two folk heading off the 3rd tee. By the time I got settled and onto the tee they looked long gone. I caught up with them on the 5th tee. Either I was chanking it or they took a rest. I can do 9 holes in about an hour and fifteen maybe less. It's a pretty good cardio workout too.

 

[Crocodile JD]

Playing off a high handicap doesn't automatically mean we are slow. The slowest games I've had or been behind have been with low handicappers.

But more likely that we would be looking for more balls off the tee no?

 

[chellie]

But more likely that we would be looking for more balls off the tee no?

Usually not for me. In my case it's having a card in my hand which means I'll have some stupid scoring holes. That could be down to messing up putts or something stupid like pushing a shot into a bunker or two so dropping shots that way.

Slow rounds I've noticed have been people taking ages and ages over putts or the big hitters who aren't always straight so it's there balls you're looking for. I've yet to end up on another fairway with my drives

I'd have the wrath of the Ladies committee on me if I was slow.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Organise tee times to have the fastest players out early working through to the slowest players late in the day.

If you want to play early, speed up!

Controversial but the culprits would soon get the message.

 

[Crocodile JD]

Usually not for me. In my case it's having a card in my hand which means I'll have some stupid scoring holes. That could be down to messing up putts or something stupid like pushing a shot into a bunker or two so dropping shots that way.

Slow rounds I've noticed have been people taking ages and ages over putts or the big hitters who aren't always straight so it's there balls you're looking for. I've yet to end up on another fairway with my drives

I'd have the wrath of the Ladies committee on me if I was slow.

I was thinking that it could be done by divisions, not a new thing anyway, but with low h/c playing div 1 medal and Higher h/c playing div 2 stableford so overall on any day less people are playing medal who ever the culprits of slow play actually are. This is based on the premiss that medal is slower than stableford generally which I conceed I don't know for sure but putting out when no points can be made for example is not essential in Stableford and would speed things up if the rule I suggested about making it mandatory to pick up was applied which could apply in the senario you mention Chellie eg to many shots in a bunker means no need to get your putter out

 

[Crocodile JD]

Organise tee times to have the fastest players out early working through to the slowest players late in the day.

If you want to play early, speed up!

Controversial but the culprits would soon get the message.

But this still leaves the problem of how to enforce

 

[Imurg]

The biggest problem leading to slow play is the number of ways there are to play slowly.
There are so many things that can be done to speed things up.
There are low handicappers who play quick as well as some that play slow....there are higher handicappers capable of playing quickly and slowly, there are carriers of bags who leave them in the wrong place, as do some trolleyers...some peopl3 exist in 3 or 4 different categories....
It's such a complex question and an even more complex answer.

 

[FairwayDodger]

I'd like to see the statistical proof that trolley users are slower. There are too many variables to make that claim. I suspect that the golfers who use carry bags are probably (on average) younger than those using a trolley and consequently may also walk slightly quicker.

It's just anecdotal but I sometimes carry and sometimes use a trolley and there's no doubt in my mind that carrying is quicker. Largely because you can move more directly around the course, walk across greens with clubs etc.

However, I don't think getting everyone to carry (even if possible) is the panacea for slow play.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

But this still leaves the problem of how to enforce

I think in most private clubs it is known who the culprits are. Probably a totally unenforcable solution (legally) but it would certainly shake a few people up if they couldn't tee off till 4pm on a Saturday

 

[Slime]

When I drove into the car par the other night, I saw two folk heading off the 3rd tee. By the time I got settled and onto the tee they looked long gone. I caught up with them on the 5th tee. Either I was chanking it or they took a rest. I can do 9 holes in about an hour and fifteen maybe less. It's a pretty good cardio workout too.

I play football for a cardio workout, I play golf for the fresh air, relaxation and banter with my mates ....................... that's why I don't rush.

Organise tee times to have the fastest players out early working through to the slowest players late in the day.
If you want to play early, speed up!

Controversial but the culprits would soon get the message.

That's right, penalise those who play, according to some, slowly!
And if you want to play a twilight round, slow down?

Slime.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

That's right, penalise those who play, according to some, slowly!

You could argue that slow players are penalising everyone behind them?

 

[North Mimms]

Organise tee times to have the fastest players out early working through to the slowest players late in the day.

If you want to play early, speed up!

Controversial but the culprits would soon get the message.

I have recently moved to a club with large ladies section (section is large, not the ladies!)
Tee times for weekday comp are split into three blocks.
If you want to play in earliest block, you are expected to get round in 3 hours 10 minutes.
And they do!
Slower players must play in later block.

If you hold up the field ,your next tee time will be later. Harsh but effective