Tips for high handicappers to speed up our round.

[Lydo]

I play in a group of all higher handicappers and sometimes when we are not on our game(which is quite a lot) we have to let loads of groups through. I feel this just puts more pressure on us and makes us play even worse. It's 7 minute gaps and we usually go out in a 2 or 3 ball. Most of the time though on the first there are people teeing off behind us when we haven't even reached the green.I feel it's affecting our game as we are worrying more about the other better players coming behind and we are rushing a lot of our shots. Most of the time when we let one group, there is another right behind them so it doesn't take any of pressure off.Our handicaps are 18, 19, 22, 26, 28A lot of people say don't worry about anyone else and play your own game but it's not as easy as that.Any tips advice to help us speed up would be appreciated.

 

[Lydo]

Sorry but for some reason it's taking out my paragraphs.

 

[Snelly]

Be ready to hit the ball (rather than ready to start the process of getting ready to play) when it is you shot. Problem solved.

 

[car.crash]

I feel the same way and hate having people hitting up the back of me.
There's nothing wrong with it but it makes me so nervous and I just want to go home.

 

[cookelad]

Be ready to hit the ball (rather than ready to start the process of getting ready to play) when it is you shot. Problem solved.

:thup:

You'll be surprised how much difference it makes if you do all your faffing round while your mate's hitting!

 

[IanG]

Agree amongst yourselves that each should play when ready i.e. don't worry too much about who is furthest from the hole.

Think about shot and club selection as you approach the ball not just when you get to it.

Don't mark your balls on the green unless it is necessary.

Be aware when it is your honour on the tee and get on with it - other things can be done while your partners drive off.

I'm sure there are loads of others ( all of which you might be doing already !)

Someone will be along to suggest lessons soon too

 

[Beezerk]

Remember, there's a good chance those people "up your jacksie" are just as bad as your group.
I know exactly where you're coming from, as already said get ready to play your shot while others are playing and don't always go for the "furthest away hits first" routine, specially around the green.

 

[mab]

1. Whoever is ready first plays first.

2. Be ready to play once your playing partner(s) has hit; don't wait for them to hit and then start measuring distance, working out which club, executing pre-shot routine, etc.

That should really help speed up play.

 

[G.U.R]

In my experience most 3/4 balls play at about the same pace regardless of handicap, the most time is taken up looking for lost balls this is where the hold ups occur. All the other tips are relevant too, but also watching each others drives so you have a decent idea where errant drives are headed also helps.

 

[woody69]

Apart from the advise that has already been given (the most important being ready to hit your shot when it is your turn.... i.e actually hit it, not start your club selection, pre-shot routine etc etc) that you shouldn't feel rushed with the group behind. As long as you are keeping up with the group in front that is the most important. Now obviously even if you are and the group behind catch up with you, then it's the polite thing to let them through as they well may be quicker than you, e.g. they always seem to be waiting for you every shot, but you're not waiting for the group in front. In that instance I would find a suitable hole and invite them to play through

 

[guest100718]

Standard of play is not really that big an issue in speed of play. I know good golfers who are slow and not so good who are fast. Tips on speeding up play are valid for all level of golfer.

Simple thing like not leaving your bag on the opposite side of the green to the next tee.
Mark your card while your mates tee off, not on teh green after you hole out.
Unless your helping to look for a partners ball dont all walk to the same place and be wating for each one to play.
When it your turn to play then be ready!
Watch you ball through the air and if its going in the rough or trees, dont look away in disgust, watch it land and pick a tree or bush in the line so you can find it easier.

 

[apj0524]

I feel the OP frustration having been asked to speed up, with the comment just walk up and hit it! Which is Ok if your a Low handicapper, but if your new to the game I still need to think about the shot and set myself, roll on the day I don't

 

[guest100718]

I feel the OP frustration having been asked to speed up, with the comment just walk up and hit it! Which is Ok if your a Low handicapper, but if your new to the game I still need to think about the shot and set myself, roll on the day I don't

Actually id say as i have improved i have got a little slower. I think a little more thought from a high handicap would pay dividends.

e.g if a poor drive on a 400 yard hole has left 280 yards to go from the rough, dont pull the 3 wood and try to get it as far as possible as this often ends up another poor shot.
my own personal rule from the thick rough is never take more than a 7 iron, which will get me back in play and often leave only a mid to short iron in to the green, with a chance of par or 2 putt bogey.

 

[Maninblack4612]

If you are on opposite sides of the fairway or, just as likely, in opposite sides rough, play at the same time. You'll not put each other off, as long as you don't swear loudly after you've hit the shot.

 

[mcbroon]

First of all, fair play to you for 'owning up' to needing to speed up a bit. If only all golfers could look at themselves so honestly.

Most things have been covered above but I'd add one thing - walk quickly, or at least briskly, between shots. This at least indicates that you're aware of people behind you. It's very frustrating to be stood on a tee waiting and seeing a group amble up the fairway in front of you with seemingly no idea that you're there.

The point that someone made about not assuming that everyone behind you is better than you is a good one, too.

 

[Dellboy]

Be ready to play when its your turn, if you lose a hole then let people through and don't be put off by anyone else charging up behind you, just play your game at your speed and enjoy yourself.

You will meet many people who think the game should be played flat out, but we are all different. As long as you do let people through, only when you can then ignore them.

As too walking briskly between shots, I don't, I play my shot and walk at a normal speed without delay, if others don't like that then hard luck, Im out to enjoy myself as much as they are. If they want to rush then thats fine but don't try and make me rush as it won't work and they won't be coming through anytime soon.

 

[delc]

I play in a group of all higher handicappers and sometimes when we are not on our game(which is quite a lot) we have to let loads of groups through. I feel this just puts more pressure on us and makes us play even worse. It's 7 minute gaps and we usually go out in a 2 or 3 ball. Most of the time though on the first there are people teeing off behind us when we haven't even reached the green.I feel it's affecting our game as we are worrying more about the other better players coming behind and we are rushing a lot of our shots. Most of the time when we let one group, there is another right behind them so it doesn't take any of pressure off.Our handicaps are 18, 19, 22, 26, 28A lot of people say don't worry about anyone else and play your own game but it's not as easy as that.Any tips advice to help us speed up would be appreciated.

Suggest that you all take lessons and learn to play better with fewer shots to play!

 

[Stuey01]

Suggest that you all take lessons and learn to play better with fewer shots to play!

Don't be a douche. As others have said handicap is not that much of a factor in pace. There are slow low cappers and fast high cappers.

 

[Slab]

Don't be a douche. As others have said handicap is not that much of a factor in pace. There are slow low cappers and fast high cappers.

Pretty confident del was only having some light hearted forum banter

 

[Fyldewhite]

If you are falling behind just play a bit quicker. Sounds daft I know but calling people though invariably slows things down for the rest of the field even more. Much better to catch up. You do that by taking on all the advice above, walking a bit faster, chatting a bit less until you are back where you should be.