Slow Play
Nobody likes slow play. Many golfers will cite it as one of the big downsides to golf. What are the reasons behind slow play, is it really the golfer who takes five waggles before every shot and holds up the whole course as a result? Or is there a little more to it?
There are 5 main reasons behind slow play
1. Management Practices and Policies
The
number of golfers on the golf course is the main reason behind slow
play. You're never held up when there's no one out there. As a result
starting times have a big effect on slow play. The quicker groups are
let off the first tee the quicker a course clogs up.
2. Player Behaviour
This
is the one that gets noticed the most. It's time spent between shots
not over shots that's the biggest factor here. Moving slowly between
shots, leaving the bag in the wrong position around the green, not being
ready to play etc. etc.
3. Player Ability
Interestingly
here better players take more time on and around the greens where as
poorer players take more time getting to the green. The worst format for
slow play turns out to be pro-ams, with ams taking a long time to get to the
greens and pros taking forever on the greens.
4. Course Maintenance and Set-up
Longer rough, very fast greens and tougher hole locations all add to the time it takes to play.
5. Course Design
Tougher
courses take longer to play but also the sequence of holes has a big
effect too. Having a difficult long par 3 in the first few holes grinds
the pace of play down.
What can be done about slow play?
The most important thing is action, individual clubs have to take responsibility for the pace of play at their own course and not expect the golfing authorities to do something about it. They have to be willing to sanction slow players and make it clear that slow play is not acceptable. It would seem clubs are unwilling to do this because of the fear of losing some members. However, who is more important? The slow players or the 100 players they're holding up?
It should be noted when talking to golfers about slow play, no one will admit to being slow players themselves. When it's pointed out to fast golfers that they are behind they will just pick up the pace, slow golfers, on the other hand, are quick to argue that they aren't slow and that there's some other reason as to why they are behind.
Also, the golfer's perception influences their thoughts on slow play, if you're not waiting in a 4 hour round no one will complain but if you are waiting continuously in a 4:10 round on the same course it will feel like torture.
What action can be taken?
As there are multiple reasons behind slow play, there is not just one solution that will work. Multiple solutions will be required.
1. Establish a reasonable time for playing the course, this is not going to be the same for every course, a short course with little time walking between greens and tees will take much less time then a big expansive course.
2. Increase the time intervals for starting on the first
tee, remember it's how quickly you finish rather then how quickly you
start is more important. In the 2014 LPGA season average round times decreased by 14 minutes when the starting time intervals were increased to 11 minutes from 10. This means groups can tee off later and finish earlier. The overall number of golfers playing on a daily basis won't diminish greatly as a result.
If a course begins with a par 4 the group in front should either be putting out or finished the hole before the next group tees off. This gives space for golfers to move. Consider faster forms of play too, more matchplay and foursomes should be considered, great to get around the course quickly in winter weather.
Shotgun starts are also great for pace of play if there is only one starting group on a hole, now every group has a free hole in front of them and have space to move into. You'd be surprised how well this can work even with groups of 5 or 6.
3. Educate golfers on how long it takes to get around
and what behaviours are required. It's never a great idea to express
dissatisfaction with someone's behaviour when they're unaware of what's
expected of them. Also it's best to educate golfers as they get into the game, this will give them awareness of how to move at an early stage and also lead to less stress especially when golf is meant to be a relaxing and fun game.
Areas to educate Golfers in:
Awareness - Keep an eye on what is going around your group, noticing that you're 2 holes behind on the 13th is a little late and will put you under pressure, noticing that you're 1/2 hole behind on the 4th is easier to make up.
Move promptly between shots - you can still converse with your playing partners while walking
Ready golf - who ever is ready on the tee should go, the honour system doesn't need to followed always
Bag positioning - leave your bag at the exit of the green closest to the next tee
Proper Tee Markers - play the tees that suit your ability the most, the high handicap trudging back to the back tees can lead to a long day
Score Card Marking - mark your card on the next tee not on the edge of the green just played.
Play a provisional - if playing in a competition play a provisional if the ball might be lost
Prepare early - prepare for your shot while others are hitting, don't wait until it's your turn to hit. The same with putting, look at your line while others are putting.
Move on quickly in casual golf - if you don't find your ball quickly in a casual round, move on and drop a ball further up the hole and finish it out. If it;s taking too many shots to get to the green, also pick up and hit a putt when you get to the green.
Pre-shot routines - one practice swing is more than enough!
Follow the golf ball - keep an eye on where your shot and where your partners shots go, no need to be looking in the wrong place.
4. Sanction golfers who play slowly, e.g they can only play at the end of the field. No exceptions, just because it's the captain's dog walker it doesn't make them exempt from sanction. Also, don't make the sanction too long, 2 weeks or so. The player then gets the opportunity to show their behaviour has changed.
It also is a good idea to give the responsibility to one player in each group to monitor the group's pace of play. This could be the first name on the sheet or lowest handicap or even alphabetically. With the onus on one person they are more likely to speak up if the group is behind.
5. No long rough, nobody likes looking for golf balls. Especially no long rough in blind landing areas and the insides of doglegs. There is nothing worse then looking for a ball in long rough when you can't make out where it landed. Also around hazards, make it clear whether the ball is in or not, no long grass next to hazards. Greens that are too fast lead to too many 3 and even 4 putts adding to the length of the round. Don't have greens speeds that are too fast. Take out trees such as sycamores, which have big leaves that litter, causing hold ups during the Autumn, as well as extra clean up for the course staff.
What do you think? What suggestions would you make?
