The R&A Pace of Play Survey
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Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
I wonder how many surveys & studies are actually required before any meaningful changes are implemented
pokerjoke
Money List Winner
I agree Robin that quite an interesting survey.
I think the survey determines that no major factor contributes to slow play but loads
of little ones.
Imo this will never change because theres always someone in a group that will do something
to slow the game down.
I believe I can only put a handful of circumstances where I thought this is so slow
I don't want to be playing and they were in comps of 4 balls with loads of entrants.
Im in the camp of "its not a race" its a pastime that should be enjoyed.
For me though there does become a problem when the course has a different number in each
group.
If you have a mix of numbers it will cause frustration for the smaller groups.
I think the survey determines that no major factor contributes to slow play but loads
of little ones.
Imo this will never change because theres always someone in a group that will do something
to slow the game down.
I believe I can only put a handful of circumstances where I thought this is so slow
I don't want to be playing and they were in comps of 4 balls with loads of entrants.
Im in the camp of "its not a race" its a pastime that should be enjoyed.
For me though there does become a problem when the course has a different number in each
group.
If you have a mix of numbers it will cause frustration for the smaller groups.
chrisd
Major Champion
I think it shows that most of us are happy with the way golf is played for most of the rounds we play. Pace of play has hardly ever changed, so, if you don't have the required time to play 18 holes in a 4 ball, don't expect everyone on the course to stand aside so that you can get home or to the pub quicker! A game takes the time it takes.
JohnnyDee
Tour Winner
Interesting reading.
I don't find pace of play too slow in general (although of course there are exceptions from time to time) and agree that racing around like it's a speed trial can affect enjoyment and quality of play.
Pleased to see that by and large most of my rounds fall well within the average. Around 4 hours and that's including a stop at the halfway hut too. On hut closed days it's more like 3.45.
I don't find pace of play too slow in general (although of course there are exceptions from time to time) and agree that racing around like it's a speed trial can affect enjoyment and quality of play.
Pleased to see that by and large most of my rounds fall well within the average. Around 4 hours and that's including a stop at the halfway hut too. On hut closed days it's more like 3.45.
PhilTheFragger
Provider of Entertainment for the Golfing Gods 🙄
Im not really worried about pace of play as long as it is consistent and you can build up a rhythm . Even if it is a slow rhythm.
There is nothing worse than playing a few holes at a reasonable pace then hitting a brick wall as a particular 4 ball 3 holes in front are holding up the whole course and not letting anyone through.
I know some courses have a system where at peak times 2 balls and singlies start off the back 9, whilst 3 & 4 balls start off the 1 st, seems to work
There is nothing worse than playing a few holes at a reasonable pace then hitting a brick wall as a particular 4 ball 3 holes in front are holding up the whole course and not letting anyone through.
I know some courses have a system where at peak times 2 balls and singlies start off the back 9, whilst 3 & 4 balls start off the 1 st, seems to work
Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
The trouble with asking people how long a game takes is that people are quite poor at judging elapsed time accurately
It would’ve been far better to measure them (unless the point is to change the perception of pace rather than actual pace)
It would’ve been far better to measure them (unless the point is to change the perception of pace rather than actual pace)
drew83
Challenge Tour Pro
Our 4 balls usually around the 4-4.5 hour mark. We play socially rather than competition. We always look out for groups close behind and play them through if required. I think the idea of starting 4 and singles/2's separately is a good plan.
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
An interesting range of answers and my own experiences mirror largely what the main results came out with regarding pace of play in particular
srixon 1
Journeyman Pro
I am playing in a 36 hole scratch competition on Sunday around a course that measures 6900 yards. I just know that the time taken for both rounds will be outside the average quoted in the survey. As long as I have enough time to eat lunch I will be happy. Whatever the time taken it could be a long day.
Leereed
Head Pro
On Sunday played at forest pines.Front 9 3 hours, 4 ball in front all 4 crap and slow. Don't mind people been crap but crap and slow. The pace killed our scores.I scored 11 points.Back nine they played a different 9 to us. Took us 90 minutes. All steady players.Scored 19 points.How many good rounds are killed by slow play.
Simbo
Tour Rookie
Slow play is a witch hunt IMO, looking for an excuse as to why memberships numbers are dropping.
The only real surprise in there for me was the fact that only 2.2% cited money as contributing factor
The only real surprise in there for me was the fact that only 2.2% cited money as contributing factor
super hans
Assistant Pro
The second part of your statement is bang on - however, you're kidding yourself on if you think slow play is a witch hunt - and if you don't think it is, then you must be in a very secluded percentage of golfers who have infinite amount of time to play golf, and pay no attention to how long 18 holes takes (which im well jealous of)
Foliage Finder
Head Pro
Interesting reading there. One point I'd make though is that if an organisation wants to make a survey to fathom the reasons why participation is faltering, then perhaps the best way to find out is not by asking the people who already play, but the general public. It is the opinions of the people who aren't playing that I feel would prove the most useful in making changes, not the 65-74 age bracket who play 93 rounds per year (almost two per week) who have most likely been playing for decades.
"We feel that the next step in this process is to engage with our partners throughout the golf industry to look at these findings"
"That follow-up forum, to which various golfing organisations, partners and bodies will be invited..."
That's not to say the opinions of current golfers aren't valid, but an interesting study would have a more balanced approach. Admittedly, participation of the general public in such discussions/surveys may not have such an uptake, but I think it is still worth an attempt.
"We feel that the next step in this process is to engage with our partners throughout the golf industry to look at these findings"
"That follow-up forum, to which various golfing organisations, partners and bodies will be invited..."
That's not to say the opinions of current golfers aren't valid, but an interesting study would have a more balanced approach. Admittedly, participation of the general public in such discussions/surveys may not have such an uptake, but I think it is still worth an attempt.
Simbo
Tour Rookie
70% of the country seem to agree with me, and probably about 10% of the other 30 are the type of people who are just compulsive whingers. And would moan if they won the lottery.
Jimaroid
Journeyman Pro
For anyone interested or perhaps involved in club duties there are some interesting observations, statements and stats buried within the survey results. You can download the full report here: http://www.randa.org/en/RandA/~/med...Pace_of_Play_Global_Survey.ashx?download=true
For example, I was surprised to see that Stableford seems to take longer than Stroke Play. Which doesn't make any sense to me from my experiences.
For example, I was surprised to see that Stableford seems to take longer than Stroke Play. Which doesn't make any sense to me from my experiences.
Davey247
Assistant Pro
For me one small change can speed up a round no end - simply play when ready rather than whoever is furthest from the hole.
I've done with mate if we have a clear course and its not a comp and our best is 2h 50min for a 4ball. Works a treat when behind a 2 ball too.
That said, I totally appreciate that a round can take 4 hours and always prepare myself for that. A Sunday comp should be taken seriously and as such can have snag points on the course. The key on those days is to remain composed and maintain your concentration - thats golf and just one of the things you have to overcome to put in a good 18 holes.
I've done with mate if we have a clear course and its not a comp and our best is 2h 50min for a 4ball. Works a treat when behind a 2 ball too.
That said, I totally appreciate that a round can take 4 hours and always prepare myself for that. A Sunday comp should be taken seriously and as such can have snag points on the course. The key on those days is to remain composed and maintain your concentration - thats golf and just one of the things you have to overcome to put in a good 18 holes.
