Slow Play

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By Rick D

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  • 71 Replies
  1. Steve E

    Steve E
    Stockton, CA

    I dont understand what the problem is about letting one person or a 4 some play through..I am always aware of my pace that if I see that I am holding someone or group up I let them play through..not a problem..
  2. MADGOLFER

    MADGOLFER
    HENDERSON, NV

    Steve E., the problem is that some people that golf believe that if they allow someone to play through then that's admitting that they are slow.
  3. JFrongillo

    JFrongillo
    Bernville, Pa

    Slow play can be annoying. I am a fast player, always have been I can play 18 solo in about an hour and a half at my home course if I'm in a rush.

    I usually don't let slow play get in my head though.

    Now people who complain that this is a learned behavior and that it starts at the high school level and the kids are the worst blah blah blah. Please remember that the coaches are there to teach the kids the proper way to play. Blame coaches if you must blame someone but even then I think you'd be wrong. Every coach I had preached to keep up with the group in front of you. I had some tournaments where if we fell more than a hole behind the entire group would be assessed a penalty stroke per hole until we caught up.

    Now let's also remember that there are relatively few times you see casual golf anywhere except while playing. So for those that aren't coached to keep up and play quickly. The only place they see golf is on TV. It's not marketed as a fast game or anything a beginner without formal coaching would not learn the pace of play rules we're just expected to know them.

    The golf industry has some of the worst marketing for getting people into the sport, so when people finally get into it they see the pros taking their time on each shot and assessing everything and assume that's how they're supposed to play.

    Then in the case of the original post a lot of golfers take a passive aggressive approach and putt out of turn and stomp off in a huff instead of taking the time to use the situation as a teachable moment for a young golfer. There's no need to embarrass the kid or anything just let him know that your group is falling behind give him some pointers. The GM was in this group he should have said something, you can be polite and teach a young person the proper way to play in these things. Then remember that he's 17 in the club championship, I don't know his situation but when I was 17, every time I got to compete I felt like I was playing in the Master's. This young man was probably crazy excited to get to play with some of his dad's friends and wanted to impress everyone with how cool he was at golf.

  4. Eric H

    Eric H
    Ridgway, PA

    JFrongillo said:

    Slow play can be annoying. I am a fast player, always have been I can play 18 solo in about an hour and a half at my home course if I'm in a rush.

    I usually don't let slow play get in my head though.

    Now people who complain that this is a learned behavior and that it starts at the high school level and the kids are the worst blah blah blah. Please remember that the coaches are there to teach the kids the proper way to play. Blame coaches if you must blame someone but even then I think you'd be wrong. Every coach I had preached to keep up with the group in front of you. I had some tournaments where if we fell more than a hole behind the entire group would be assessed a penalty stroke per hole until we caught up.

    Now let's also remember that there are relatively few times you see casual golf anywhere except while playing. So for those that aren't coached to keep up and play quickly. The only place they see golf is on TV. It's not marketed as a fast game or anything a beginner without formal coaching would not learn the pace of play rules we're just expected to know them.

    The golf industry has some of the worst marketing for getting people into the sport, so when people finally get into it they see the pros taking their time on each shot and assessing everything and assume that's how they're supposed to play.

    Then in the case of the original post a lot of golfers take a passive aggressive approach and putt out of turn and stomp off in a huff instead of taking the time to use the situation as a teachable moment for a young golfer. There's no need to embarrass the kid or anything just let him know that your group is falling behind give him some pointers. The GM was in this group he should have said something, you can be polite and teach a young person the proper way to play in these things. Then remember that he's 17 in the club championship, I don't know his situation but when I was 17, every time I got to compete I felt like I was playing in the Master's. This young man was probably crazy excited to get to play with some of his dad's friends and wanted to impress everyone with how cool he was at golf.

    awesome man, totally agree!
  5. Rick D

    Rick D
    Weston, WI

    Sorry, but this kid wasn't excited to play in the club championship and therefore being more methodical. And he was taught by his old man to be this slow. I cringe whenever I see the two of them on the course. My wife and I can tee off 4 holes behind them and catch them by #5. The other youngster in our foursome has played a lot of high school golf and the kid is the same there. It's just ingrained and he has an attitude. You can't tell the kid anything, he knows it all. I'd hate to be his HS coach.

    As far as the GM, yes, he should have said something. That's another factor. Too many in authority are too hesitant to say something. I think their words hold more weight than another golfer where you get the "I paid the same as you to play and no one's going to rush me" [while they've got 2 hole open in front of them].
  6. Jerry M

    Jerry M
    Dallas, TX

    I agree with a previous post on this subject. For the pros, don't fine them money, give them penalty strokes! That will solve slow play in less than a month on tour. There will be meetings, there will be complaints, there will be protests. But in the end they will understand. Now only if the tour has the courage to do it.

  7. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    As I read all the various opinions of pace of play, I have come to the conclusion that there are three types: (1) Slow players, those who do not keep up with pace of play on the course and hold up everyone and take most out of tempo and cause tempers to flair. They never play ready golf, the seem to all congregate at each others ball to discuss what shot to hit. When putting, always line the ball up from at least six different angles. Probably from watching too much golf on TV. (2) Golfers who maintain pace of play and never fall behind. They could play in 4.5 or 3.5 depending on how the course is moving for the day. They always play ready golf. Most if they have a bad hole, they pick up after a triple bogey. (3) Rabbits. They have to play speed golf and no one in front of them plays fast enough. If the pace of play for the day is 3.5 hours, it is still to slow. I have played with rabbits and when they hit and a driving a cart they are at the green before you hit the next shot, not that we a slow, just they must be on the move. They can at times be as irritating as a slow player and I have played with both in games.

    I think that anytime a round is under the four hour mark is a fair time, keeping in mind that keeping the pace and no open holes is the key to a good day on the course. Be respectful of others on the course and be prepared for that next shot before you get there. All of us working as a team can make golf more enjoyable for all. With respect to all and to this wonderful game of golf.

    Cell phones are not the fifteenth club.....you only allowed 14....please......thanks.....
  8. AWells

    AWells

    CHUCK!! you freaking Nailed it!! I myself am a very patient player and can play with a slow player to some degree. To the fellow on this string that had someone take 40 mins to play 2 holes? Oh my dear god Shut The Front Door! thats excessive beyond all. and RABBITS!! yes Rabbits!! I so agree, these ones are teh worst for me as they seem to be the most critical of others. And they seem to get under everyones skin A LOT! especially mine!

    Now A round of Golf for me should have a nice Tempo to it. Just as are swings have to have an even Tempo, so should our rounds of golf. I have found in my very very little experience in golf, Rabbits can really get into your head A LOT, and some slow play can as well especially if you have your shot all figured out and are ready to go.

    I think if people worked on keeping a nice even tempo of the round, they may have a nicer, smoother round and perhaps even lower scores as their head isnt full of other influences
  9. JAM

    JAM

    I agree with Chuck Z, under 4 hours works for me (most of the time).
  10. Tom P

    Tom P
    Stanley, NC

    I agree with everyone. One culprit that has not been mentioned: Partners reading each other’s putts. Especially when one reads from one side of the hole and the other one reads from the other side. Then they discuss what they see or don’t see. Conference calls are not necessary on the putting green. Look at your putt from behind, step up, and pull the trigger !
  11. TUser

    TUser

    Really hard to add anything more to what has already been laid out by all very well. I always play with this in mind, that it's ok to play bad, everyone does at times, but you can play bad fast!
  12. Edwin G

    Edwin G
    Allen Park, MI

    SLOW play or NO play

    In reflection to all the post it sounds like phobia and a loss of the true passion for this sport. I challenge you all to step back into the years you struggled to par, bogey, or even get up and down. I think we all bring an element of the poor character in golf to the course. Speaking for my self I have had 2 loves in life, the first love being family and the second for 25 years being golf. That said I've seen it all and have seen many of those who dare to comment struggle - seriously. In the moment of shanks, cuts, and pulls what you really need is patience and encouragement. Because from the course and the clubhouse you'll get no sympathy or raincheck.

    So if you see me with my 2 kids - the future for the game of golf. They vary in age from 16 and 3, my back yard hitter. Please do me a favor and play through and allow everyone to enjoy the game. The course is a marvelous place to be. Majestic and breath taking not only for the challenges each one presents but the orchestration of rolling greens and soaring trees that, if you live for a min , just might "slow you down." Oh no I said it - lift up golfers in slow play to show them solidarity and camaraderie not judgement and hollow souls. You never know you just might need an autograph.
  13. BMaddigan

    BMaddigan

    Edwin, I don't think anyone was talking about the times you bring your kids out to play after 6pm on a weekend to give them exposure to the game. There are lots of times I will bring one of mine out with me, drop a ball for them at the 100 yard marker and they will play in with me. This is when the course is deserted and if someone does come up behind us, we let them play through.
  14. fred b

    fred b

    He should be penalized. He will learn
  15. RSchultz

    RSchultz

    In the summer, my wife and I like to play in the early afternoon. A round for us with no slow play in front of us is 3 1/2 to 3:45 hours. We are in our late 70’s. Occasionally at hole 1 we will have a couple of young men come up behind us and look distressed at being behind us. We offer them to go through ahead but warn them we play fast. Invariably, even though they hit 10-25 yds further, we end up pushing them, which I am sure makes the round unpleasant for them.
  16. richard f

    richard f
    Shildon

    Slow play ruins it for everyone, pros , amateurs , everyone !!
  17. marty h

    marty h

    I see slow play in kids at amateur events I play in all the time. Its definitely a result of what they see on t.v. My worst is when one of these young players brings their buddies to caddie and every shot they go through the bones Mickelson routine. Every shot is a lengthy discussion of how they want to play it. I think it would help if the networks would show less of it on t.v. The way baseball wont show an idiot running on the field during a game.
  18. Matt G

    Matt G

    My issue with all of this is nobody has any patience everybody is the go let’s move type of mentality while yes a round of golf should not take more than four hours I don’t see the point of complaining about slow play I am a PGA golf management student and I’ve seen it all. The thing everyone needs to remember is your out there to have a good time while yes slow play can be annoying and drive some people mad but my advice is take a deep breath and relax sure you can complain but it won’t change. This game is a challenge and who knows what is causing the slow down maybe in two groups ahead you have somebody who has never even golf before but is picking up the game for the first time. Everybody talks about how it’s hard to grow the game but let me tell you if people would learn to be patient and not worry about how long it is taking the game would grow exponentially I have at least ten friends who I started teach the game to that have quit because with all the complaints about slow play and them not wanting to be slow but are struggling because they rush to try and keep up just give up. My thought is this golf is a game for fun and having a good time it is not a game of speed and everyone needs to realize by trying to speed the game up you take away from the experience. You need to plan ahead if your tee time is at 2pm plan an extra hour so plan on being done by 7 not 6 to plan for some slow play. The other thing is and this is what got some of those friends that quit to come back is push for an emphasis on letting people play through teach them to be vigilant on how long the group behind is waiting and just enjoy the fact that you are able to play this great game. Just so everyone knows I used to complain the most about slow play but one day while golfing I was waiting on a super slow group and I was annoyed and wanted to move. I even went to my pro to complain and he gave me this advice and so the next time I tried it and I have enjoyed my rounds even more than before plus my game got better because I was more worried about my next shot then what was slowing me down I will get done when I get done and even having this mindset I still can play a round in less than 4 hours but I’m not worried if it is closer to five because I planned for it and sometimes it takes less and because I planned for longer round I have more free time.
  19. Samuel C

    Samuel C
    Phoenix, AZ

    This topic will always be a pain point for the sport and every golfer. No one wants to admit that they are slow (if they are) and those that aren't slow, cannot stand to play with slow players.

    I think something that could help speed up the process would be to be as prepared to hit your shot when it's your turn. I have played with so many different golfers and would say that 60% (or more) of them are not ready when it's their turn. When it is their turn, that's why they start their routine, getting the yardage, factoring things into the shot and then picking a club. You can start to think about the yardage when others are playing first, you get an idea of where they are hitting, so this should give you an idea of what your yardage might be. Then you can think of what clubs to consider, and think of the conditions. When you arrive to the ball, at least you have an idea of the yardage, and clubs, but now you can get the exact yardage and take into account all the other factors; lie, stance, wind, etc.

    So I would think being prepared for when it's your turn could save a lot of time during a round and help everyone play faster.
  20. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    Good points Sam. I might add, discuss with your group before you start, the concept of "ready golf". With the current state of walk-only or single carts, there is no reason why players should wait for their "turn" if the player furthest out is not ready to hit. Maybe they are still locating a ball or changing clubs, or something that is causing a delay. No reason why someone else could not hit out of normal sequence unless you are playing an actual event/match.
  21. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military

    Dale V said:

    Good points Sam. I might add, discuss with your group before you start, the concept of "ready golf". With the current state of walk-only or single carts, there is no reason why players should wait for their "turn" if the player furthest out is not ready to hit. Maybe they are still locating a ball or changing clubs, or something that is causing a delay. No reason why someone else could not hit out of normal sequence unless you are playing an actual event/match.

    Agree......first thing on number tee...."ready golf today, guys?" Kinda sets the tone for a good round.... particularly if a new person is joining you...... makes them feel more comfortable..... we have around 125 members of our Rascal group (seniors) and most of the time 40 show up to play and sometimes you get to play with a group you are familiar with sometime you do not....set best to be friendly, social and set the tone.....we know who the sloths are......
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