Many of you have told us that you really appreciate the wide variety of golf courses we offer you. We are very lucky to have these golf course and have gained a very good reputation with them because our members are committed and always keep a good pace. Many years ago when Joanne Englehardt was alive we were out at Rivers Edge a group of firemen were to follow us, they complained being behind a group of women and Joanne told them they they probably wouldn’t see us for the dust. Another group of gals were in Alabama and because it is very redneck and male dominant there, they got the pace of play spiel, however, when they completed the round they were praised for their pace of play and the girls told them they were trained well by Golfaround.
Slow play in golf is irritating. It’s the difference between getting a full round in on a summer’s evening or coming in in the dark, We have been aware that our reputation is in jeopardy as there have been numerous complaints of slow play from our members. Our concern is that we will loose some of our membership if this continues so thought we should try to fix the problem, however, we can’t do this, only you can make a difference. You all need to pay more attention to pace of play and the game will be more enjoyable for everyone. Each player should recognize that his or her pace of play is likely to affect how long it will take other players to play their rounds, including both those in the player’s own group and those in following groups. How well one plays is not the determining factor here, there are many of high-handicappers who speed around the course, just like plenty of skilled golfers … take … all … day.
Pace of play is not about playing fast. It’s about playing efficiently and with consideration for others and don’t forget that proper spacing of tee times and a good marshal goes a long way. As does a golf trip to the other side of the pond, where players walk more than they ride, and walk directly to their own ball rather than becoming a caravan of golfers travelling to each other’s ball. Some of the offenders are those who are slow but don’t know it or they are oblivious to it. They feel like they’re going through their round at a good pace, but are really the one that everybody is waiting on…constantly. Whether it is being slow to the tee box, looking too long for balls, not being ready to hit in the fairway, always needing to go back to get another club, reading a putt for too long, etc., this golfer is just a little slower than everyone else and has absolutely no clue.
Many slow players don’t begin their pre-shot routine and practise swings until it’s their turn to hit, you can always do this while waiting to go the tee. Then there is the Tour-pro wannabe who takes six full practice swings every time, the 25-handicapper who waits for the green to clear before dribbling her shot 50 yards. Some of the things that we can do are hit when ready and when it is safe to do so, don’t be the last person to approach the tee box. Prepare for your shot as you approach the ball. Have the appropriate club in hand. Putt out the continuously. Mark your score at the next tee. Keep up with the group in front. Do your socializing after the round, gabbing on the tee when the fairway is open or not being ready to hit when it’s your turn is a major cause of slow play. Another thing is looking for lost balls, a quick look is fine but when they go into the deep rough it’s bye bye ball don’t waste your time and the time of others.
What can we all do? We can tell the course Marshall the next time he comes by. Sometimes a simple word from him is enough to increase the pace of play of a slower group. If it’s your own group that is slow (perhaps one of your number is a beginner and doesn’t hit very far, or keeps losing their ball in the rough), encourage your fellow player to pick up the pace, drop a ball in the fairway and keep on playing—especially if he or she is a high handicapper. Pickng up the ball to help speed the game along is no big deal. Other things you can do as a group, is to watch each other’s balls, at least off the tee, and help in the search if one goes off course. Another way to pick up the pace: once you have hit your own ball, is to move forward to your new ball position, focus and plan your next shot as you approach, so that you are ready to hit again when it is your turn. It is best to avoid difficult golf courses if you are a beginner golfer. Your fellow golfers and your own ego will benefit. We are wondering if a particular group notices they are slow and the group behind are waiting two or more times maybe they should offer to let them play through, your thoughts please.
The fact is, that slow play is a problem caused by many factors and we are concerned that we will not only loose some of the golf course we are love to play on but also some of our members who we love to play with as they are always ready and fun to play with. The best way to combat the issue and make rounds faster is for every golfer to play faster. You don’t have to rush, just be ready to hit when it is your turn and limit the extracurricular actions surrounding the game to what is absolutely necessary to hit the shot. To reiterate, we should always attempt to make the best score on every hole…we should just take less time to do it!