Pace of play....is "slower" that big of a deal?

[mrsmith123]

Alright, I may get lit up for this but I was just reading another thread and it got me thinking about pace of play. I'm going to vent a little bit but also want to get some honest feedback from you all so bear with me for a minute 👍

 

I might be the one person who doesn't like "fast" golf (probably because I do everything in my life deliberately). I don't like warming up fast, practicing fast, or playing fast. Now, I'm not super slow or bad on purpose but I don't understand the person who wants to play 18 holes in 3 hours. Do you have something that you're afraid of missing if you don't set a land speed record? Do you hate being out there so you want it over quick as possible?

 

Here's the "slow golf guy's" position:

1. I want my money's worth. The more it costs me for that round (gas, balls, gloves, food, green/cart fee) the more inclined I am to get my time value out of it. Especially if I am enjoying the course and playing competitors.

2. I'm not in a rush to leave the golf course ever (unless a family emergency pops up) and don't go there with the mindset of "gotta get a few quick holes in". If that's the case I'll just hit balls or chip.

3. If I'm watching a tour or high level amateur event, I don't care about their pace because it stretches my dollar for being there.

4. I don't ever want to rush to get to the next shot after I just hit a bad one. I like some time to refocus on the next.

5. I would rather take an extra 15 seconds to back off a shot or putt so I make sure I'm confident before swinging.

 

Now, if you are the antithesis of what I just typed then that is totally fair. I've got plenty of friends who love fast play, ready golf, get done in 10 minutes per hole. So I welcome everyone's opinion but please be kind to me lol when you disagree.

 

Cheers guys

- Burk

 

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[Shankster]

I've only played one course where it was packed and it took for ever. It was a 9 hole course and they had tee times every 3 minutes to keep up with demand.

 

But I agree, i try to relax on the course. I play fast, but it's my time to be on the course. Paid the same as everyone else, but I've slowed down this year and it's still fast.

 

I really dislike getting hit into, or yelled at from the fairway. And since I mostly play solo if there is a group of 4 in front of me that doesn't let me play through I get antsy but that rarely happens.

 

One perk of living in the middle of no where. You get the course to yourself if you avoid league nights.

 

 

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[robertson153]

I personally like a fast pace of play. With that said I don't rush shots or not take practice swings. After my drive headed for my second shot I have a pretty good idea on what club I'll need. Once I reach my ball for my second shot, a quick look at the gps, and if it says 175 I know exactly what club I need. I believe if you take to much time looking at a shot, you start second guessing yourself, or at least I do. As far as the PGA guys, there is a lot of money at stake. If it was a million dollar tournament I was in, I might take a different stance on the subject. I also don't like playing with slow paced people. Not because it annoys me, but because it throws my game off. That's just my opinion.

 

 

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[mrsmith123]

A part of me does feel bad for people who like a fast pace that play with me. I feel like they can get impacted more than vice versa.

 

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[Shankster]

What are we calling slow play?

 

A few practice swings? Or looking in the woods 2 times a hole for a lost ball, by all in a group? There is a huge difference.

 

 

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[bullldog]

Just because golf is played outdoors does not mean its just a leisurely sport. It should be played in a timely manner.

Slow play effects everyone the whole day not just the slow player

[mdfrey6er]

It's all relative, I don't mind taking my time behind competent golfers who are trying to go through a reasonable routine, but two things bother me.

1. Waiting behind excessively slow groups with nobody in front of them who won't let you play through. Ruins my flow & in my opinion is rude!

2. Getting pushed by twosomes/threesomes when there are foursomes stacked 10 deep in front of you. Where do they think they are going to go?

 

 

 

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[Rusty1885]

I only play once a week on a public course, so I don't really care much about my partner's pace as long as they move our group along behind the group in front, in fact, I'm usually the first to tell them to take their time. The rest of the rounds I play at my club and it usually wide open. Sometimes I spend 10-15 mins on pitch shots practice or bunker practice before I move on to the next shot.

 

 

I'm not a fast player. Actually it effects me quite a bit playing with super fast player, I feel so conscious about rushing my routine. I'm a paying customer and wants my money's worth as well. Sadly, golf is the game of less, so I can't play more strokes to stretch my $$$. I feel that a reasonable pace should be considered. If you miss a few shots and needs to look for the ball and plan for recovery shot, no worries.

 

I just hate to see golfers not hitting when they are supposed to because after all the time spent waiting for their shots they spend doing something else. I hate, hate, hate 4some who ague excessively over how the putts going to break, and take triple looks again and again, it's not the Open. Don't mark every shot on the green, if it's not in the way of others just readjust the line(if needed) and start your preshot routine.

 

I hate when the group in front is way out of the range they still don't hit, this happens every hour of every day on my public course. Long 200 yards par 3, the group in front has been hitting 125-150 off the tee. They'd wait til the group in front walk off the green before they tee up. That's just a couple off issue I mentioned there are tons more.

 

Ideally the pace should be that once you get to your shot there's no more than a few mins before you can hit the next shot, around here sometimes it's 10 mins or more. The par 3 I just mentioned, when we arrived we are usually the third group in line.

 

We are all have the internal shot clock, we know when it's gone over excessively and should keep a mindful and respect the group behind.

[mrsmith123]

I think where I cause conflict with playing partners is that I go thru a whole routine each shot. I check yardage on par 3 holes and then figure out what shot type I want. All my approach shots too. I'm always taking a walk around each putt of length. I cause issues cause I have a full routine every time. I play with a lot of guys who play ready golf to the fullest even on tee box, and a lot of guys I've played with don't even have much for preshot routines.

 

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[Shankster]

I think where I cause conflict with playing partners is that I go thru a whole routine each shot. I check yardage on par 3 holes and then figure out what shot type I want. All my approach shots too. I'm always taking a walk around each putt of length. I cause issues cause I have a full routine every time. I play with a lot of guys who play ready golf to the fullest even on tee box, and a lot of guys I've played with don't even have much for preshot routines.

 

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I use fun golf to prep for a round. I'll look at the gps map, and get a general idea of where I want my shots to go. If it's a brand new course I usually take notes so I can just check quickly. Like 165 to front and 185 to back stuff like that.

 

But if there is a group of hacks out there losing a ball every shot. That's what holds up play. 5 minutes per Ball twice a hole??

 

 

- Alan

[Shankster]

In my group I don't mind waiting, gives me a chance to think about making a mistake. It's the 20 minutes on the other guys. Take your time, it's a game of skill. Some play fast, some place slow. I'm telling you, lost balls is the culprit, or only hitting the ball 3 yards at a time.

 

 

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[Rusty1885]

I think where I cause conflict with playing partners is that I go thru a whole routine each shot. I check yardage on par 3 holes and then figure out what shot type I want. All my approach shots too. I'm always taking a walk around each putt of length. I cause issues cause I have a full routine every time. I play with a lot of guys who play ready golf to the fullest even on tee box, and a lot of guys I've played with don't even have much for preshot routines.

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Routine is what protect us from indecision and external thoughts. I'm fully endorsed that. My routine includes a practice with short pause to visualize how and where the ball going to land, another words preprogram the muscles then I pull the trigger. The whole process takes about 20-23 seconds. I do this with every shot except for the putt that hang off the lip.

 

Ready golf is good, not a rush but be ready, unless I'm betting I usually just play ready golf.

[Kanoito]

I only agree with points 4 and 5.

You shouldn't rush it to the extent that it affects your game.

I believe you can still do your practice swings, your routine while maintaining a good pace of play.

 

But let's define fast and slow first...

For me: 3.5 hours for 18 holes is fast... 4 hours is acceptable... 4.5 is slow and anything over 5 hours please shoot me. This is for a foursome. When I play alone, I like to be done under 3 hours.

It's not to break a record or anything, but I just have better things to do... I rather spend the afternoon with my daughter, go buy groceries with the wife, maw the lawn, do some house work... why should I waste my time with some guy who thinks he has to hit every inch of the course to feel his money's worth? He might enjoy carding a 12 in every hole, but that's not fun for me.

So yeah, I guess people just have better things to do (work, family, etc.) and they want to play the game they love in an effective manner.

[gaussman1]

It's a lot like watching other drivers staring at their cell phones for me. There's nothing I can do about it so I don't bother to get too worked up. Just make sure I'm aware of what's going on around me.

Mini-rant: big name golf course architects are a massive part of the slow play problem. Deep and massive fairway bunkers, high fescue, obstacles that snare the weaker player, they all show the designer's inability to view things from any perspective but the expert player. Just because I can take it over a bunker 250 yards from the tee (humble brag) doesn't mean it should be there. I think there should be a lot more safe zones up to 250 from the tee and progressive narrowing and obstacles from there. Let the higher handicap player enjoy his day as well.

 

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[null]

It is should not take more than 4 hours for any foursome to play 18. The fact that 4.5 hours is becoming acceptable at many clubs is just brutal.

[cnosil]

Pace of play is about keeping up with the group in front of you and doing the simple things to keep up that pace. If you are in a cart drop a player off at their ball and the go to yours or park between the to balls. Take multiple clubs if it is cart path only. Routines are fun just done make your routine isn't 5 minute long. You can start reading you putt before it is your turn to putt. No reason to wait for the player filling up the water bottle just because it is his turn to tee off. If you think the ball is lost or OB hit the provisional and don't go back to the previous spot after your 5 minute search. Play the correct tees for your ability; not based on men's, senior, women's. This is ready golf; it is not about rushing around the golf course.

[DiscipleofPenick]

I play fast but I play at sun up. When I don't I'm fine with anything under the 15 min/hole 4 1/2 hour mark. Nothing wrong with taking your time but don't hold others up. The pet peeves are-

 

1. Ignorant foursome that won't let a twosome go through. I have let people have it for this. Not hitting into them but yelling from the tee.

 

2. The overly serious 20 handicap that HAS to hole everything. I joined a "fun" league once and it averaged 6 hours per round. NOT FUN and I didn't last long.

 

Courses could fix this if they stopped tee times every 7 minutes.

 

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[Shankster]

It is the object of the game to get the little white ball in the cup at the end of each hole isn't it?

 

 

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[Peterpc2828]

When I comes to pace of play, I could care less if you want to play slow, smell the roses, hear the birds chirp, clean and polish your clubs after every shot or spend time putting your 14 head covers back on your clubs-- I like to play somewhat quickly but not rushed, if your holding me up and don't let me through if no one is holding you up them I get pissed, to me it's like the left lane on the highway, move over and let me get by, this is a very simple concept that a lot of golfers don't get.

 

 

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[PlaidJacket]

Alright, I may get lit up for this but I was just reading another thread and it got me thinking about pace of play. I'm going to vent a little bit but also want to get some honest feedback from you all so bear with me for a minute

 

I might be the one person who doesn't like "fast" golf (probably because I do everything in my life deliberately). I don't like warming up fast, practicing fast, or playing fast. Now, I'm not super slow or bad on purpose but I don't understand the person who wants to play 18 holes in 3 hours. Do you have something that you're afraid of missing if you don't set a land speed record? Do you hate being out there so you want it over quick as possible?

 

 

 

Hey you're not some OLD guy are you? Or a Millenial? Jk... LOL

 

I think we all have thoughts like you've talked about. Pace of play is always a topic of interest. For me personally I just like a good steady pace during my round. So what does that mean? How about a 4 hour round. That works pretty good for me.

I don't like to rush my game either. 

I usually try and ease into my rounds. By that I usually get to the course 1 hour ahead of my tee time. That gives me plenty of time to warm up, grab some water and maybe chit-chat a bit. I'm not a slow player by any means... but not fast either. Just steady and keep moving. If anything playing too fast bothers me and can effect my game. One quick story... just last weekend we got behind a group on the front that were really slow. They had the whole course backed up. One guy in my foursome couldn't take it. It actually destroyed his game and he admitted it did. I didn't particularly like it but... I played great that day.

[Brian A]

Pace of play is about keeping up with the group in front of you and doing the simple things to keep up that pace. If you are in a cart drop a player off at their ball and the go to yours or park between the to balls. Take multiple clubs if it is cart path only. Routines are fun just done make your routine isn't 5 minute long. You can start reading you putt before it is your turn to putt. No reason to wait for the player filling up the water bottle just because it is his turn to tee off. If you think the ball is lost or OB hit the provisional and don't go back to the previous spot after your 5 minute search. Play the correct tees for your ability; not based on men's, senior, women's. This is ready golf; it is not about rushing around the golf course.

 

 

The first line in this!! 100%! Nothing makes me more upset playing then being stacked a few foursomes deep and the group behind you starts hitting in to you! Im not a super fast golfer as I shoot in the low to mid 90s, but I try to keep the pace of play. 

 

Also I think a big thing is, you have to realize where you're playing.  If you're playing a prestigious or course thats more private, or super early morning, then you should probably play a little faster (but you should also be a better golfer).  We have local Muni courses that people go out on and try to set the course record for least time playing and it just takes the fun out of it. 

[hckymeyer]

There is a difference between slow and deliberate.  If you can still get around the course in 4 hours with a foursome then keep on keeping on.

 

However if your normal pace of play with nobody in front of you is approaching 4.5 hrs or more then it's time to speed up.

 

I'm a fast player, so sometimes I just don't understand it.  I have a pre-shot routine, I do it every shot.  But I don't take practice swings and I don't spend forever over putts.  Your first reaction (or gut instinct) is usually the correct one.  So why sit there for 5 minutes before you hit the ball and 2nd guess yourself?

 

I can see at a glance that it's a back pin 147 out.  Safe miss is short so hit the club that has a chance of getting there but won't go over.  I don't need to think about it for 2 minutes, just grab your club and go.

[Big money]

This is a big deal for me.I usually average 2 hours as solo for 18 on a wide open course.My last 18 with a foursome was 5 hours.Hard to justify for me.After 3 hours I kinda lost interest

 

It's usually solo speed golf where I play mid week.We have a guy that can do 18 in under an hour solo in a cart.Now that is fast.Im actually envious

[DaveP043]

I'll echo what many of the others have said.  A group's place on the golf course is immediately behind the group in front of them, not in front of the group behind them.  If you aren't keeping up, and you're holding up others, its your responsibility to invite the faster group to play through.  This should be just as common as using words like "please" or "thank you.", its simple good manners.  If you're aware that you're holding people up, and you refuse to let them through, you're consciously saying that your enjoyment is more important than that of the people behind you.  If anyone has a question, perhaps they should read the Etiquette section of the USGA Rules

http://www.usga.org/rules/rules-and-decisions.html#!rule-14252

 

I don't advocate speed golf, and I don't think anyone has a right to expect to play in 3 hours, at least not in the US.  Four hours is fine, and is a pretty commonly accepted standard.  In Scotland, many courses expect you to be able to play in 3-1/2 hours, walking.  Some difficult resort courses tell you 4-1/2 hours is acceptable.  I prefer to play a little quicker, but I don't get upset unless I'm waiting on someone, and there's clearly open space in front of them.

 

Its interesting that the USGA's proposed rules changes include a a recommendation to play ready golf, and suggest that a player take no more than (and preferably less) than 40 seconds to play a shot once it becomes their turn.  Count it out in your head, 40 seconds is a long time!

 

So to the original question, is slow play that big of a deal?  If you're inconveniencing a bunch of others by playing substantially slower than the "norm", yes, it is.  You're putting yourself ahead of everyone behind you.

[TheWahoo]

Regarding pace of play, I just go with the flow.   If the pace is fast, I make sure that I am not doing anything to slow it down.   If the pace is rather slow, it doesn't bother me that much.  I am not going to use it as an excuse for playing badly.  When playing with buds, there is the social aspect as well.   A slower pace gives us time to needle each other and have a good time together.   Again, the bottom line for me is that it is what it is and I will accept it and respond accordingly.  

[Kor.A.Door]

We first need to define slow. We also need to define who is slow, one slow playing person on a foursome can make the entire foursome seem slow. My definition of slow play is when the round takes more than 4 hours with carts. No reason for it. We used to walk 18 in 3:45 to 4:15, so no reason you can't do faster in carts. We walked with foursomes and caddies at Pinehurst in around 4 1/2 hours. It isn't that huge of a problem except that if the group is out early it can back up the entire course for hours. If you play slow, take a later tee time.

[mrsmith123]

I only agree with points 4 and 5.

You shouldn't rush it to the extent that it affects your game.

I believe you can still do your practice swings, your routine while maintaining a good pace of play.

 

But let's define fast and slow first...

For me: 3.5 hours for 18 holes is fast... 4 hours is acceptable... 4.5 is slow and anything over 5 hours please shoot me. This is for a foursome. When I play alone, I like to be done under 3 hours.

It's not to break a record or anything, but I just have better things to do... I rather spend the afternoon with my daughter, go buy groceries with the wife, maw the lawn, do some house work... why should I waste my time with some guy who thinks he has to hit every inch of the course to feel his money's worth? He might enjoy carding a 12 in every hole, but that's not fun for me.

 

So yeah, I guess people just have better things to do (work, family, etc.) and they want to play the game they love in an effective manner.

Kanoito, may I please inquire, if you have better things to do then why play? Also, if you know you want to spend time with family (I can appreciate it as I have wife and two young children) don't you budget in the time? For example if you wanted to play on a Saturday mid-morning wouldn't you budget in several hours and express to them that you're gonna be gone?

 

I guess your logic is where I don't understand the whole point of "I've got better things to do", because if I feel I have better or more important things to do then I do them. I don't go to the golf course to play and enjoy several hours with the mindset of how quickly can I get done cause I'd rather be somewhere else.

 

I'm hoping you can enlighten me more on your position. Thanks.

 

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[mrsmith123]

It is should not take more than 4 hours for any foursome to play 18. The fact that 4.5 hours is becoming acceptable at many clubs is just brutal.

Is it okay for me to disagree?

 

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[mrsmith123]

Let me also clarify that I play ready golf to the best of my ability. I know my preshot routine takes a while so I always do my best to get it going while someone else is executing theirs.

 

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[Kenny B]

It is should not take more than 4 hours for any foursome to play 18. The fact that 4.5 hours is becoming acceptable at many clubs is just brutal.

I will respectfully disagree.  Depending on the type of course, you just eliminated over half the golfing population.  Apparently, you think all golfers out on the course should be highly skilled single digit players.  If you are playing at a private CC, maybe you have the luxury of a foursome playing in 4 hours.  It's rare for a foursome at a muni to play in 4 hours unless they are good players getting out early in the day.