Time and Timing - relevance?

[drdel]

So the R&A have a book out on slow play.

Mates and I have played a few courses recently which have recommended times and timing for completing the 18 hole course.

As a 4 ball we'd normally expect to get round in about 3h:45m. On particular course had a 'card' time just over 4h- this raises interesting issues.

We were followed onto the course by a couple of groups of 2 balls. It took the immediately following 2ball until hole 6 to catch us; letting them added nearly 7 minutes to out time for the hole. On hole 9 they lost a ball and so the second 2ball gained ground (on the Tee and 11 while we were putting out) adding another 4m. These guys were in a buggy so by the par5, 15 they'd caught up. One player then hit a Tee shot while we were taking our second and they were soon on the fairway waiting while we putted out.

With just 3 holes to go and well within the Course guide time and, (childishly, because of their cheek) we decided to continue. Our time to complete was still well inside the total time.

So, long story, short issue.

We could have let the 2nd pair play through and added more time to our round or, were we able to 'defend' our stance in that having turned up to play they should have expected the Round the last the 4h:6m on the card.

Debate... Is slow play only defined when you're behind the clock for a particular hole and/or on aggregate for the Round.

 

[ScienceBoy]

Slow play has two parts.

Behaviour and pace relative to others.

You can have good behaviour and still be slow as a 4 ball compared to a 2.

The time on the card is only relevant when the course is busy with groups of the same size. All other times let quicker groups through appropriately.

 

[Slab]

I think you're mixing together two different aspects

Slow play is first and foremost defined when you've lost a clear hole on the group in front regardless whether you're up/down on the stated elapsed time (after taking into account group size etc) so that's not going to be an aggregate

Timings/elapsed time are a tool to aid pace of play not to determine fast/slow

 

[patricks148]

yes as others say, you are mixing up the issues.

a 4 ball will usually take longer than a, 1,2 or three ball, so if they catch you you should probably let them through.

the time it takes is a guide for your pace of play and you should still let faster groups through.