Ready Golf - The New Norm?

[fixyurdivot]

Good topic, nice article @Josh Parker.  My answer is no, not the "new norm" but most definitely the best way to speed up play for general, casual rounds - where the game itself does not require a certain sequence.

I've been playing this way for decades.  Except for the superstitious who won't tee off in front of a birdie/eagle, most everyone I play with hits when they are ready vs. furthest out.  I sometimes finish my putting while a couple of our slower guys (as in not as mobile these days) make there way to the green.

[Josh Parker]

1 hour ago, itsteetime said:

Then, you are out too early.

Ha.  They get to finish cutting and I relax. 

58 minutes ago, bama no 1 said:

absolutely correct.  when the greenskeepers cant even get the basic task of getting the greens cut before golfers start showing up on the box then something is wrong.

 

this creates the domino effect, mowers have to wait to let player through, then they start to cut greens, then another golfer stops them again, so on.

I think a survey should come out of this question.

Why do you play golf?

1) to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with friends in a causal setting, not rushing to finish.

2) strictly for exercise.

3) Just like playing golf and want to finish as quickly as possible

Would be curious as to the outcome of the survey, then pose this survey results with the original question of how to fix slow play.

I catch them about hole 5-7 after they have done the back 9 so it's not slowing them down. They finish and I sit back and relax. They all know me by name and I know theirs. 

[bama no 1]

38 minutes ago, Josh Parker said:

Ha.  They get to finish cutting and I relax. 

I catch them about hole 5-7 after they have done the back 9 so it's not slowing them down. They finish and I sit back and relax. They all know me by name and I know theirs. 

As someone who works at a golf course and cut greens I can say true they get to finish, but in the back of their mind is that they need to speed up, then quality of work goes down.

Things such as dew whipping the green goes out the window, which can also cause the green to develop damaging rot, cutting into the collars, and non precise edge cuts. 

So one question for you, do you like it when someone looks over your shoulder and waits for you to get done the whole time you work and do you like it? Just a couple of things to consider.

Give your course greenskeepers  the time to do their work without them having to look over their shoulders constantly.  They will love you for it.

My 2 cents

 

 

[Rob Person]

4 minutes ago, bama no 1 said:

As someone who works at a golf course and cut greens I can say true they get to finish, but in the back of their mind is that they need to speed up, then quality of work goes down.

Things such as dew whipping the green goes out the window, which can also cause the green to develop damaging rot, cutting into the collars, and non precise edge cuts. 

So one question for you, do you like it when someone looks over your shoulder and waits for you to get done the whole time you work and do you like it? Just a couple of things to consider.

Give your course greenskeepers  the time to do their work without them having to look over their shoulders constantly.  They will love you for it.

My 2 cents

 

 

I get this 100%. Especially when the management runs short tee time rotations on all 3 courses at once.  We have 3, 9 holes courses. So as a starter, I have to push these groups out, and it gets the ground crew frustrated.  Because proshop Manager doesn't communicate well with ground crew manager very well.

[Josh Parker]

14 minutes ago, bama no 1 said:

As someone who works at a golf course and cut greens I can say true they get to finish, but in the back of their mind is that they need to speed up, then quality of work goes down.

Things such as dew whipping the green goes out the window, which can also cause the green to develop damaging rot, cutting into the collars, and non precise edge cuts. 

So one question for you, do you like it when someone looks over your shoulder and waits for you to get done the whole time you work and do you like it? Just a couple of things to consider.

Give your course greenskeepers  the time to do their work without them having to look over their shoulders constantly.  They will love you for it.

My 2 cents

 

 

I don't start before the first tee time and go from hole 1. If the greens were cut in order and not from 10 thru I would never see them. Again, I'm not there trying to prevent anyone from working. 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

34 minutes ago, bama no 1 said:

As someone who works at a golf course and cut greens I can say true they get to finish, but in the back of their mind is that they need to speed up, then quality of work goes down.

Things such as dew whipping the green goes out the window, which can also cause the green to develop damaging rot, cutting into the collars, and non precise edge cuts. 

So one question for you, do you like it when someone looks over your shoulder and waits for you to get done the whole time you work and do you like it? Just a couple of things to consider.

Give your course greenskeepers  the time to do their work without them having to look over their shoulders constantly.  They will love you for it.

My 2 cents

 

 

I know all of my courses ground crew and my son is actually one of them. I told them all that if you see me keep doing your job. I’m in no rush and will wait off to the side in the shade.

The crew starts at 7am and the first tee time is 8am. I’m allowed out as a walker after 7am.  I usually tee off between 7:40 and 7:50. I’m the only one out there. They do start working the front 9 in order. For a few holes. So it’s rare that I catch up to them until the back 9. It’s usually one or two holes that I wait on them to finish cutting and whipping the greens.

But they have the right of way and I wind up with the best playing conditions.

[3Putt4Double]

6 hours ago, Rob Person said:

On a simulator?   

Fastest 9 I've ever done is 1h35m. Was just having a good day on a slow tee time on the course.

We have a regular 3 or 4some that do that. Pure speed golf. They play scramble, and only putt once each, then pickup to get to the next hole.  They are also the ones that complain about " slow play" because they push through a hole in under 6 minutes.

If my ass wants to spend $100 for just over an hour I'll hit the casino.. If I'm not at the course 2 1/2 hours and haven't taken 112 swings I didn't my money's worth

[AChillingSight]

First post so go easy on me

This has been a fun and informative post to read (I read the article when it was released but didn't make it here). I'm a beginner with lots to learn still so I can be slow, without intending to, but am making a conscious effort to increase my pace. I've only completed 3 18 hole courses, all the rest I've picked up the ball at some point and skipped the hole so as to not hold the pace of play up. I also don't play from bunks as I can't hit out of them yet, I do a quick 1 minute-ish search for lost balls then drop a new ball (my bags packed with old loseable ones hah) and I pick-up the ball when I hit 4 over par (typically only on par 5s). I also play from the furthest forward tees (despite the crap I get from people) to help get my ball further forward. Moral being, I'm trying.

I was introduced to ready play last year (prior to that I was the guy sitting in the cart waiting for the other player to hit.....sorry, didn't know any better) and have begun to implement the practice into my play. I now have a push cart (love it) and go to my ball, planning my shot and have a pretty good idea of what club I need by the time I get to it. It was good to see other ways I can increase my ready play habits in this thread so thanks everyone for some insight there.

One thing I've noticed when I look back to see if we need to let people past, is a fair amount of groups play from the forward tees that don't seem appropriate for their skills. I don't mean that as a new player hitting from the tips but rather experienced players hitting from the second from front tee. This allows them to hit from tee box to 75 yards from the green on a par 4 or 150 yards from the green on a par 5. I don't know if they're trying to set a course record (either time based or score based), they're out for fun or they just want to catch up to the group in front so they can complain. Is that something that's common practice? It seems like that other group is intentionally setting themselves up for frustration. I do look behind me often because I don't want to hold pace of play up, if a group can play through, then I'd rather they do so, it is less stressful for me but if you're playing from an inappropriate tee, that shouldn't be my issue just like if I were to be playing from the tips,  that shouldn't be their issue. I bring this up out of curiosity, is it normal, and because even when playing ready golf, I'm never ahead of that group.

My biggest issue with ready play is it seems to be a system designed for frustration. To me it seems like people are hopping in their fastest car, breaking the speed limits, driving recklessly and rushing as fast as they can then having to stop behind someone at a stop light and getting mad at the person who followed the speed limit, drove safely and stopped at the red light ahead of them. Golf has rules and ready play says to selectively ignore those rules then get mad at the group in front of you who is playing by the rules. Not a perfect analogy but hopefully it conveys the point. As I mentioned before, I'm improving my ready play game/habits (the nail that sticks out gets hammered (what's the golf version of that? :P)) and I do understand why it exists. We're not all pros, we don't need to follow the rules to a T, I get it.

Sorry for the novel and, again, thanks for the insights!

[3Putt4Double]

1 hour ago, AChillingSight said:

First post so go easy on me

This has been a fun and informative post to read (I read the article when it was released but didn't make it here). I'm a beginner with lots to learn still so I can be slow, without intending to, but am making a conscious effort to increase my pace. I've only completed 3 18 hole courses, all the rest I've picked up the ball at some point and skipped the hole so as to not hold the pace of play up. I also don't play from bunks as I can't hit out of them yet, I do a quick 1 minute-ish search for lost balls then drop a new ball (my bags packed with old loseable ones hah) and I pick-up the ball when I hit 4 over par (typically only on par 5s). I also play from the furthest forward tees (despite the crap I get from people) to help get my ball further forward. Moral being, I'm trying.

I was introduced to ready play last year (prior to that I was the guy sitting in the cart waiting for the other player to hit.....sorry, didn't know any better) and have begun to implement the practice into my play. I now have a push cart (love it) and go to my ball, planning my shot and have a pretty good idea of what club I need by the time I get to it. It was good to see other ways I can increase my ready play habits in this thread so thanks everyone for some insight there.

One thing I've noticed when I look back to see if we need to let people past, is a fair amount of groups play from the forward tees that don't seem appropriate for their skills. I don't mean that as a new player hitting from the tips but rather experienced players hitting from the second from front tee. This allows them to hit from tee box to 75 yards from the green on a par 4 or 150 yards from the green on a par 5. I don't know if they're trying to set a course record (either time based or score based), they're out for fun or they just want to catch up to the group in front so they can complain. Is that something that's common practice? It seems like that other group is intentionally setting themselves up for frustration. I do look behind me often because I don't want to hold pace of play up, if a group can play through, then I'd rather they do so, it is less stressful for me but if you're playing from an inappropriate tee, that shouldn't be my issue just like if I were to be playing from the tips,  that shouldn't be their issue. I bring this up out of curiosity, is it normal, and because even when playing ready golf, I'm never ahead of that group.

My biggest issue with ready play is it seems to be a system designed for frustration. To me it seems like people are hopping in their fastest car, breaking the speed limits, driving recklessly and rushing as fast as they can then having to stop behind someone at a stop light and getting mad at the person who followed the speed limit, drove safely and stopped at the red light ahead of them. Golf has rules and ready play says to selectively ignore those rules then get mad at the group in front of you who is playing by the rules. Not a perfect analogy but hopefully it conveys the point. As I mentioned before, I'm improving my ready play game/habits (the nail that sticks out gets hammered (what's the golf version of that? :P)) and I do understand why it exists. We're not all pros, we don't need to follow the rules to a T, I get it.

Sorry for the novel and, again, thanks for the insights!

Sounds like ur making an effort to do the best u can do to keep pace, u just can't make everyone happy..I would suggest u play all 18 if that's what u want to do and wave anyone around who seems like they are playing faster..u paid ur money just like they did and have the right to enjoy the game just like the rest of us..u will pick up speed the more u play bc u will be hitting more fairways and making it much easier to find ur ball.. The ppl behind u just have to remember we were all new at one time, but also remember to give a friendly wave if u want someone to come around, as most golfers are like myself and I would never asked someone if I could play thru.. That's just bag golf etiquette 

[bama no 1]

7 hours ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

I know all of my courses ground crew and my son is actually one of them. I told them all that if you see me keep doing your job. I’m in no rush and will wait off to the side in the shade.

The crew starts at 7am and the first tee time is 8am. I’m allowed out as a walker after 7am.  I usually tee off between 7:40 and 7:50. I’m the only one out there. They do start working the front 9 in order. For a few holes. So it’s rare that I catch up to them until the back 9. It’s usually one or two holes that I wait on them to finish cutting and whipping the greens.

But they have the right of way and I wind up with the best playing conditions.

at our course we are instructed to pullover/move out of the way to let the player play through.   We start at 6am and the first tee is at 7am, I can tell you how much we all love it when we are on the 4th hole cutting greens and its 7:15 and we see a twosome hitting off the 4th tee box (sarcasm).   Man 5 mins a hole has got to be some sort of world record.  I will stop whining now.

[Rob Person]

6 hours ago, AChillingSight said:

First post so go easy on me

This has been a fun and informative post to read (I read the article when it was released but didn't make it here). I'm a beginner with lots to learn still so I can be slow, without intending to, but am making a conscious effort to increase my pace. I've only completed 3 18 hole courses, all the rest I've picked up the ball at some point and skipped the hole so as to not hold the pace of play up. I also don't play from bunks as I can't hit out of them yet, I do a quick 1 minute-ish search for lost balls then drop a new ball (my bags packed with old loseable ones hah) and I pick-up the ball when I hit 4 over par (typically only on par 5s). I also play from the furthest forward tees (despite the crap I get from people) to help get my ball further forward. Moral being, I'm trying.

I was introduced to ready play last year (prior to that I was the guy sitting in the cart waiting for the other player to hit.....sorry, didn't know any better) and have begun to implement the practice into my play. I now have a push cart (love it) and go to my ball, planning my shot and have a pretty good idea of what club I need by the time I get to it. It was good to see other ways I can increase my ready play habits in this thread so thanks everyone for some insight there.

One thing I've noticed when I look back to see if we need to let people past, is a fair amount of groups play from the forward tees that don't seem appropriate for their skills. I don't mean that as a new player hitting from the tips but rather experienced players hitting from the second from front tee. This allows them to hit from tee box to 75 yards from the green on a par 4 or 150 yards from the green on a par 5. I don't know if they're trying to set a course record (either time based or score based), they're out for fun or they just want to catch up to the group in front so they can complain. Is that something that's common practice? It seems like that other group is intentionally setting themselves up for frustration. I do look behind me often because I don't want to hold pace of play up, if a group can play through, then I'd rather they do so, it is less stressful for me but if you're playing from an inappropriate tee, that shouldn't be my issue just like if I were to be playing from the tips,  that shouldn't be their issue. I bring this up out of curiosity, is it normal, and because even when playing ready golf, I'm never ahead of that group.

My biggest issue with ready play is it seems to be a system designed for frustration. To me it seems like people are hopping in their fastest car, breaking the speed limits, driving recklessly and rushing as fast as they can then having to stop behind someone at a stop light and getting mad at the person who followed the speed limit, drove safely and stopped at the red light ahead of them. Golf has rules and ready play says to selectively ignore those rules then get mad at the group in front of you who is playing by the rules. Not a perfect analogy but hopefully it conveys the point. As I mentioned before, I'm improving my ready play game/habits (the nail that sticks out gets hammered (what's the golf version of that? :P)) and I do understand why it exists. We're not all pros, we don't need to follow the rules to a T, I get it.

Sorry for the novel and, again, thanks for the insights!

Welcome to MGS!  Lots of valid points and great analogies IMO.  The "which Tee Box do I play" has been a stigma for a long time from what I can tell. (I've only been playing a couple of years) but from when I started it was still common for people to play from tees based on age/sex over ability.  Traditional courses here were 1, ladies 2, seniors, 3 mens, 4 amateurs, 5 pros.  Most now have transitioned into tees based on handicap or driving distance.  The golf course I play at uses a different set of color tee boxes than most other courses, and it confuses those who normally play white tees (middle)  ours tee boxes are 1 teal, 2  white, 3 orange, 4 purple, 5 black , and are based on handicap recommendations. 

The other courses is Traditional tee box colors and based on driving distance. (This was only changed in last 2 years on 2 courses here)

I prefer the handicap ones personally, as I have friends that can hit 275+ off the box, but have no approach or short game abilities, usually bogey+ every hole, and shoot in the mid to high 20s hcp. On the flip side, I play with others that have weak driving skills, but have amazing mid fairwat and approach game that are mid teens hcp.

Play from whatever distance you are comfortable with. For me,  golf has turned into a personal challenge to improve... just for me, and Noone else!

I moved up 1 tee box from middle, and began enjoying myself more, and that's when I noticed improvements in my Game too.

[NM01]

9 hours ago, AChillingSight said:

. I don't mean that as a new player hitting from the tips but rather experienced players hitting from the second from front tee. This allows them to hit from tee box to 75 yards from the green on a par 4 or 150 yards from the green on a par 5. I don't know if they're trying to set a course record (either time based or score based), they're out for fun or they just want to catch up to the group in front so they can complain. Is that something that's common practice? It seems like that other group is intentionally setting themselves up for frustration.

Some people want different challenges so they play from different tees when they go out. I had a friend that played off a 2 handicap do a challenge of playing from the most forward tees til he broke par then moved back and did the samething til he was back playing either the tips or one box in front depending on what he wanted to do that day.

His driver carry distance is 285. They aren’t setting themselves up for frustration because the course shouldn’t be backed up unless there are a bunch of slow golfers in front of them.

9 hours ago, AChillingSight said:

My biggest issue with ready play is it seems to be a system designed for frustration. To me it seems like people are hopping in their fastest car, breaking the speed limits, driving recklessly and rushing as fast as they can then having to stop behind someone at a stop light and getting mad at the person who followed the speed limit, drove safely and stopped at the red light ahead of them. Golf has rules and ready play says to selectively ignore those rules then get mad at the group in front of you who is playing by the rules.

I disagree. If everyone on the course is using ready golf there will be no hurry up and wait. It only takes one group to slow down the whole course. Those using ready golf are helping the pace of play for everyone. The only frustration comes in when there is that group or groups who don’t care and are slow and thus slowing everyone down. Ready golf doesn’t violate any rule for casual play. In a non match format it doesn’t really violate any rules either. Watch a pga tournament event where a player is waiting on a rules official or some other situation and they will have their playing partner(s) who are further up play their shot.

curious what rule(s) you think ready golf ignores?

9 hours ago, AChillingSight said:

do understand why it exists. We're not all pros, we don't need to follow the rules to a T, I get it.

If you are playing a handicap round then yes you need to follow the rules to a T

[bama no 1]

9 hours ago, AChillingSight said:

First post so go easy on me

This has been a fun and informative post to read (I read the article when it was released but didn't make it here). I'm a beginner with lots to learn still so I can be slow, without intending to, but am making a conscious effort to increase my pace. I've only completed 3 18 hole courses, all the rest I've picked up the ball at some point and skipped the hole so as to not hold the pace of play up. I also don't play from bunks as I can't hit out of them yet, I do a quick 1 minute-ish search for lost balls then drop a new ball (my bags packed with old loseable ones hah) and I pick-up the ball when I hit 4 over par (typically only on par 5s). I also play from the furthest forward tees (despite the crap I get from people) to help get my ball further forward. Moral being, I'm trying.

I was introduced to ready play last year (prior to that I was the guy sitting in the cart waiting for the other player to hit.....sorry, didn't know any better) and have begun to implement the practice into my play. I now have a push cart (love it) and go to my ball, planning my shot and have a pretty good idea of what club I need by the time I get to it. It was good to see other ways I can increase my ready play habits in this thread so thanks everyone for some insight there.

One thing I've noticed when I look back to see if we need to let people past, is a fair amount of groups play from the forward tees that don't seem appropriate for their skills. I don't mean that as a new player hitting from the tips but rather experienced players hitting from the second from front tee. This allows them to hit from tee box to 75 yards from the green on a par 4 or 150 yards from the green on a par 5. I don't know if they're trying to set a course record (either time based or score based), they're out for fun or they just want to catch up to the group in front so they can complain. Is that something that's common practice? It seems like that other group is intentionally setting themselves up for frustration. I do look behind me often because I don't want to hold pace of play up, if a group can play through, then I'd rather they do so, it is less stressful for me but if you're playing from an inappropriate tee, that shouldn't be my issue just like if I were to be playing from the tips,  that shouldn't be their issue. I bring this up out of curiosity, is it normal, and because even when playing ready golf, I'm never ahead of that group.

My biggest issue with ready play is it seems to be a system designed for frustration. To me it seems like people are hopping in their fastest car, breaking the speed limits, driving recklessly and rushing as fast as they can then having to stop behind someone at a stop light and getting mad at the person who followed the speed limit, drove safely and stopped at the red light ahead of them. Golf has rules and ready play says to selectively ignore those rules then get mad at the group in front of you who is playing by the rules. Not a perfect analogy but hopefully it conveys the point. As I mentioned before, I'm improving my ready play game/habits (the nail that sticks out gets hammered (what's the golf version of that? :P)) and I do understand why it exists. We're not all pros, we don't need to follow the rules to a T, I get it.

Sorry for the novel and, again, thanks for the insights!

Agree with many of your point of views.   In my opinion, golf is suppose to be fun.   I have a friend that went to the course to try playing golf and some old guy yelled at him to play faster.  Needless to say he hasnt been back to play, saying if people are this uptight then I dont want any part of this game.  

I agree with him completely.  If i want to play from the tips I will, if I want to play from the forward tees i will.   I paid for the enjoyment and will have fun!!!!!!

[bama no 1]

22 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Some people want different challenges so they play from different tees when they go out. I had a friend that played off a 2 handicap do a challenge of playing from the most forward tees til he broke par then moved back and did the samething til he was back playing either the tips or one box in front depending on what he wanted to do that day.

His driver carry distance is 285. They aren’t setting themselves up for frustration because the course shouldn’t be backed up unless there are a bunch of slow golfers in front of them.

I disagree. If everyone on the course is using ready golf there will be no hurry up and wait. It only takes one group to slow down the whole course. Those using ready golf are helping the pace of play for everyone. The only frustration comes in when there is that group or groups who don’t care and are slow and thus slowing everyone down. Ready golf doesn’t violate any rule for casual play. In a non match format it doesn’t really violate any rules either. Watch a pga tournament event where a player is waiting on a rules official or some other situation and they will have their playing partner(s) who are further up play their shot.

curious what rule(s) you think ready golf ignores?

If you are playing a handicap round then yes you need to follow the rules to a T

I dont totally agree with your statement as noted below

"I disagree. If everyone on the course is using ready golf there will be no hurry up and wait. It only takes one group to slow down the whole course. Those using ready golf are helping the pace of play for everyone. The only frustration comes in when there is that group or groups who don’t care and are slow and thus slowing everyone down."

 

The problem is we can say everyone needs to play ready golf and they may do so, but the real crux of the problem is that we have a mixture of handicaps playing at the same time.    A 2 handicap is not going to take as long to play a hole as a 20 handicap ready golf or not even if that high handicap group moves to the forward tees.   True, one group can slow down the whole course and I would be willing to bet dollars to donuts they will be a high handicap group.   Slow play doesnt bother me, if it gets to slow ( 5 1/2 hr round or greater)  then I drive around the slow group. Not ideal, but I'm out there to have fun and slow play isnt going to ruin my good time.

[NM01]

8 minutes ago, bama no 1 said:

  A 2 handicap is not going to take as long to play a hole as a 20 handicap ready golf or not even if that high handicap group moves to the forward tees.

You haven’t had the luxury of playing with a scratch golfer that was slow as molasses. I have played along side more than my fair share of low handicaps that are slower than a 20 handicap. Better golfers are just as slow if not slower than high handicaps. As discussed elsewhere slow golf is from an etiquette perspective and not a lack of skill issue. There are fast high handicaps and slow high handicaps. There are fast low handicaps and fast high handicaps.

just read pga tour related threads and see how many complain about the pace of play of some professional golfers.

Considering there are more mid high handicaps than low handicaps courses are filled with the mid to high handicaps. I play plenty of hard courses on weekends that have all levels of golfers and the rounds are played in 4.5 hours or less because the slow group gets dealt with. I played with a father, his some and their friend the day before the son got married, they were all recreational golfers and none of them better than a 15 handicap. Played a hard course from the tees before the tips. They were enjoying their adult beverages and we finished the round in 4:15 on a Saturday during peak time despite them being shorter hitters and spraying the ball.

 

[bama no 1]

1 hour ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

You haven’t had the luxury of playing with a scratch golfer that was slow as molasses. I have played along side more than my fair share of low handicaps that are slower than a 20 handicap. Better golfers are just as slow if not slower than high handicaps. As discussed elsewhere slow golf is from an etiquette perspective and not a lack of skill issue. There are fast high handicaps and slow high handicaps. There are fast low handicaps and fast high handicaps.

just read pga tour related threads and see how many complain about the pace of play of some professional golfers.

Considering there are more mid high handicaps than low handicaps courses are filled with the mid to high handicaps. I play plenty of hard courses on weekends that have all levels of golfers and the rounds are played in 4.5 hours or less because the slow group gets dealt with. I played with a father, his some and their friend the day before the son got married, they were all recreational golfers and none of them better than a 15 handicap. Played a hard course from the tees before the tips. They were enjoying their adult beverages and we finished the round in 4:15 on a Saturday during peak time despite them being shorter hitters and spraying the ball.

 

The points you make are true concerning scratch golfers can be slow, but I believe that they are the exception rather than the rule.  I still say the majority of low handicap golfers play quicker and have the skills to do so more so than high handicap golfers. 

Generally high handicappers are new to the game and not in command of their shotmaking abilities.   What I see as the majority of the reasons for slow play is ball searching, When high handicappers lose a ball a hole its going to get brutally slow.

Either way, whether it is skill or lack of etiquette golf is going to take 4 hours or longer to play a round.  If that is to long for folks then maybe they should play a faster sport like darts.

[jpchanez]

13 hours ago, AChillingSight said:

First post so go easy on me

This has been a fun and informative post to read (I read the article when it was released but didn't make it here). I'm a beginner with lots to learn still so I can be slow, without intending to, but am making a conscious effort to increase my pace. I've only completed 3 18 hole courses, all the rest I've picked up the ball at some point and skipped the hole so as to not hold the pace of play up. I also don't play from bunks as I can't hit out of them yet, I do a quick 1 minute-ish search for lost balls then drop a new ball (my bags packed with old loseable ones hah) and I pick-up the ball when I hit 4 over par (typically only on par 5s). I also play from the furthest forward tees (despite the crap I get from people) to help get my ball further forward. Moral being, I'm trying.

I was introduced to ready play last year (prior to that I was the guy sitting in the cart waiting for the other player to hit.....sorry, didn't know any better) and have begun to implement the practice into my play. I now have a push cart (love it) and go to my ball, planning my shot and have a pretty good idea of what club I need by the time I get to it. It was good to see other ways I can increase my ready play habits in this thread so thanks everyone for some insight there.

One thing I've noticed when I look back to see if we need to let people past, is a fair amount of groups play from the forward tees that don't seem appropriate for their skills. I don't mean that as a new player hitting from the tips but rather experienced players hitting from the second from front tee. This allows them to hit from tee box to 75 yards from the green on a par 4 or 150 yards from the green on a par 5. I don't know if they're trying to set a course record (either time based or score based), they're out for fun or they just want to catch up to the group in front so they can complain. Is that something that's common practice? It seems like that other group is intentionally setting themselves up for frustration. I do look behind me often because I don't want to hold pace of play up, if a group can play through, then I'd rather they do so, it is less stressful for me but if you're playing from an inappropriate tee, that shouldn't be my issue just like if I were to be playing from the tips,  that shouldn't be their issue. I bring this up out of curiosity, is it normal, and because even when playing ready golf, I'm never ahead of that group.

My biggest issue with ready play is it seems to be a system designed for frustration. To me it seems like people are hopping in their fastest car, breaking the speed limits, driving recklessly and rushing as fast as they can then having to stop behind someone at a stop light and getting mad at the person who followed the speed limit, drove safely and stopped at the red light ahead of them. Golf has rules and ready play says to selectively ignore those rules then get mad at the group in front of you who is playing by the rules. Not a perfect analogy but hopefully it conveys the point. As I mentioned before, I'm improving my ready play game/habits (the nail that sticks out gets hammered (what's the golf version of that? :P)) and I do understand why it exists. We're not all pros, we don't need to follow the rules to a T, I get it.

Sorry for the novel and, again, thanks for the insights!

I was advised to play from the front tees until I could break 100, the senior tees until I could break 90, and now I’m finally playing the white tees (middle). I practice from the senior tees at least once a week to work on a different section of my bag, meaning that I tee off with my 3W or 3H (short Par 4’s) and exercise my higher lofted irons. That’s usually on a Monday after work for me, which means the course is pretty empty by that time. I definitely don’t rush anyone if I catch up (rare occasion) because its a practice round and recognize that I’m playing less yardage than the group ahead. 

[satingolfer]

Sooo many great comments, to me independent of a caddy on my bag at Oakmont Golf Club in my backyard home of 2025 Us Open. I would relish a 4 plus hour walk/ round. 
With that being said playing with multiple handicap players is always a time challenge. You all know it’s basically up to the group/ course/ and selfishness of players. 
I will certainly encourage quicker play, however push to shove most players I meet as a single seems to care less for their fellow players in front or behind. 
know this is not the rule just individual experience. 
keep up with your commentary. 

[bama no 1]

26 minutes ago, satingolfer said:

Sooo many great comments, to me independent of a caddy on my bag at Oakmont Golf Club in my backyard home of 2025 Us Open. I would relish a 4 plus hour walk/ round. 
With that being said playing with multiple handicap players is always a time challenge. You all know it’s basically up to the group/ course/ and selfishness of players. 
I will certainly encourage quicker play, however push to shove most players I meet as a single seems to care less for their fellow players in front or behind. 
know this is not the rule just individual experience. 
keep up with your commentary. 

So true, so true.  I play in a group of 40 players and we go to Myrtle Beach every Oct.  Needless to say we have all sorts of handicaps.  One thing I can assure you, if I start to chastise one of my fellow competitors for slow play guess who will be uninvited the next year. Granted we do say pickup after DB, so that somewhat helps to keep things moving but its not a guarantee.

[AverageSizedDog]

On 5/8/2024 at 4:22 AM, silver & black said:

I ride most of the time. I play with my brother most of the time. I get out of the cart with a couple of clubs and walk to my ball while he is hitting and vice-versa. We don't bother with who's out.... who ever is ready, hits or putts. It really isn't hard or a big deal.

I find that the biggest cause of slow play is the group/s ahead of us.... we usually catch up to almost everyone in front of us, and then wait 10 minutes on every hole after that while 'they' take 6 shots to get to the green and 5-6 putts to get off of it.. The other huge cause of slow play (at my home course) is too many players on the course at one time. I understand the course needing to make money, but loading the course with as many as you can is a recipe for slow play.

Too many people on the course is an excellent point. I think people just wanting to play slower because they want to because its a saturday or sunday afternoon. 

[Sanjeev Thakur]

Ready golf is a great thing for non-tournament games. A lot of time is lost in looking at the ball till it lands even though your playing partner is spotting the ball for you. Many a time marking the ball is not essential on the green too or a quick mark and clean the ball process suffices. Another delay is when iron covers are used

[Mathieu Soucy]

Honestly there is two problems with pace of play I see a lot these days ; People looking for their ball in the bushes for 2-3min and on the green. You'll see someone that drove their ball 100 yards in the wood looking for it for 5 minutes and then take 2min to putt their ball on the green ...  Ready ball is mostly adopted by the people I play with, that's a plus.

[satingolfer]

I can relate to each individual comment, I guess it’s best to continue. Wild reflection, our regular Saturday 6:15am tee time actually incorporates many of the fellas remarks. Share this one Saturday morning , rule from course was third time missing 4th player until pays double green fees without proper cancellations. Well one Saturday morning I slept in ( late party night) . My spitfire was loaded with clubs and all in garage. Mind you trip is 45 minutes from home. Woke @ 5:40am, crap late.  Fired up spitfire drove hell bent for destruction. Arrived with 360 power slide into my traditional parking spot, threw bag over shoulder ran to, second tee, passing guys watching from number one box, rolling on ground as I yelled COMMING THRU FORE!!!!!.

my group comment well glad you distracted my approach shot Jerk. Imagine that chasing green cutting as an wild entrance into 18 holes minus one  

hopefully my over statement story will bring laughter when you imagine scenario.

 

 

 

[satingolfer]

Cool day on my way to play 18 dodging raindrops 

Parton shoot birds

[itsteetime]

1 hour ago, Sanjeev Thakur said:

Ready golf is a great thing for non-tournament games. A lot of time is lost in looking at the ball till it lands even though your playing partner is spotting the ball for you. Many a time marking the ball is not essential on the green too or a quick mark and clean the ball process suffices. Another delay is when iron covers are used

I respectfully disagree with "iron covers" being a cause of slow play.  For me, the club is selected, the cover goes in my hip pocket, shot played, bag picked up - then the club is cleaned and head cover replaced while walking to the next shot.  I don't always use iron head covers except I have not found a good configuration of my golf bag and clubs where they do not rattle too much.  Any suggestions accepted.

[NM01]

1 hour ago, Sanjeev Thakur said:

Ready golf is a great thing for non-tournament games. A lot of time is lost in looking at the ball till it lands even though your playing partner is spotting the ball for you. Many a time marking the ball is not essential on the green too or a quick mark and clean the ball process suffices. Another delay is when iron covers are used

Disagree on all this. Some people are bad at spotting a ball so more eyes are better especially when heading for trouble. Also some people get distracted and forget the mark they picked out which can affect finding the ball.

marking the ball on the green isn’t what causes slow play. It’s the golfers who wait til it’s their turn to do any type of prep for their put. Headcovers dont cause any additional delay. Like most things it’s those who are unaware of their own delays for doing things. 

 

[fixyurdivot]

5 hours ago, itsteetime said:

I respectfully disagree with "iron covers" being a cause of slow play.  For me, the club is selected, the cover goes in my hip pocket, shot played, bag picked up - then the club is cleaned and head cover replaced while walking to the next shot.  I don't always use iron head covers except I have not found a good configuration of my golf bag and clubs where they do not rattle too much.  Any suggestions accepted.

I respectfully agree with your disagreement .  They can take my iron covers out of my cold dead hands .

[cksurfdude]

On 5/13/2024 at 1:46 AM, AChillingSight said:

I'm a beginner with lots to learn still so I can be slow, without intending to, but am making a conscious effort to increase my pace.

Welcome to MGS!! And good on you dude for being so self-aware and so uncommonly courteous on the course!!

If all the "seasoned" golfers out there did all those same things we wouldn't even need to have this thread.......

[Tom the Golf Nut]

I see this happen often. Two threesomes. One group tees off, a few minutes later the second group tees off. Once out of view of the clubhouse miraculously there is a six some playing. Slowing down everything. A call to the club house results in. “I’m all alone I can’t leave, I’ll get them on the turn.”  So you’re saying deal with it for the next 7 holes. That’s some crap. Especially on a weekend. 

Iron covers aren’t going to slow down anything unless you drop one and go back for it. I personally don’t use them except for travel. But I don’t have an issue with those who use them. 
 Every day of the week there is a shoot out for members at my club. Teams are random draw.  Probably between 12 and 20 guys. Everyone chips in a couple bucks for the pot. Just as soon as the names are paired up the complaint's start. Then they play a scramble and take forever. If you wind up behind the group. You might as well go out for lunch and come back. Then at the end they are all arguing over a buck. 

I’ve been asked to play in it often and politely decline. I want to enjoy myself and have a good pace of play. I make sure I’m out in front of them or I show up an hour later and I still catch them on the back nine somewhere. Retired guys putting money on the line will certainly slow down the course.
 

 

[itsteetime]

Keep up the efforts. They will pay off ... double par is enough or 8 on par 5s. If no one is pressing you, finish the hole.  Set a personal par for each hole ... your group or instructor/coach can help you with it.

Enjoy the game, it is beautiful and fulfilling.