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Stuck Behind Slow Golfers
Wednesday October 17, 2007 | 13:26:37 363 words, 6027 views
The reasons for slow play are many but I think power carts (buggies in the UK) are the primary culprit. Far too many golfers, especially those new to the game, don’t seem to understand that persons sharing carts do not have to wait in or by the cart for their riding partner to hit his/her shot before proceeding to their own ball. They do not understand that upon arriving at one of the two balls they should – at a minimum – walk over to their own ball and determine what kind of shot and which club they will use. Here in the U.S. the proliferation of courses built which require the use of carts adds to the problem. To be fair, many of the newer courses have been built around environmentally sensitive areas in such a way as to make walking virtually impossible. The distance from a given green to the following tee can be literally hundreds of yards. But power carts are here to stay as many courses would not survive the loss of that revenue steam. However, not all slow play comes from power carts. Some players, and therefore groups, just play slowly. At least some of that is attributable to watching professional golfers. Watch how many 20+ handicappers emulate them, walking all the way around the green to analyze that 10 foot putt for a smooth quadruple bogey. If you ask them, they’ll tell you they’re “grinding”. I have to laugh when a professional tournament is running beyond their allotted time and the network switches to other scheduled programming before the finish of that day’s play. Imagine how long those guys would take if they didn’t have the assistance of a professional caddy. Slow play is bad enough. But when these snails not only play slowly but refuse to let a faster group through, what the hell do you do? I’m sure there are many of you who, like me, prefer to play at a quick pace and from time to time get stuck in this situation, waiting on nearly every shot. Tell me your story. I wish to laugh with you, not at you. Bookmark/Search this post with:
Comments:
Comment from: Kiel Christianson [Member]
 · http://www.travelgolf.com/departments/authorarchives/christianson.htm
If patience and gentle notifications of
your presence on a slow group's heels fails, the best strategy I've found is subtly rolling a drive up behind a slow group 300+ yards from the tee. Trust me, they get the message when it comes in the form of a big drive they know they could never hit. 
10/17/07 @ 16:41
Comment from: Ron Mon [Member]
I whip out the cell phone, call the pro shop, tell the pro I need the ranger on hole # 13 (the unlucky one) and presto! Ranger appears, and slowpokes speed up or step off.
10/17/07 @ 18:22
Comment from: Kiel Christianson [Member]
· http://www.travelgolf.com/departments/authorarchives/christianson.htm
The one thing I like about some golf carts
is when they have GPS onboard computers that automatically alert the pro shop if they are falling behind. Very cool.
10/17/07 @ 22:42
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
· http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
Many courses have rangers - usually retirees - who are supposed to enforce slow play iniatives. More often than not, these guys just ride around, not doing much more than earning themselves some free greens.
10/18/07 @ 07:34
Comment from: Matt [Visitor]
I personally love sitting on the tee watching a group ahead of me gathered around their 180 yard tee shots waiting for the green to clear before they hit what amounts to a 240 yard aproach shot.
10/18/07 @ 09:09
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
I play in the country at a course that isn't too busy (although still too busy for my tastes). I take a cart so that if I do catch up to someone, I can quickly skip over to a different hole; I don't care if I don't play them in sequence.
I simply refuse to wait on the golf course.
10/18/07 @ 10:46
Comment from: Dave M [Visitor]
· http://Eye On Golf
A contributing factor to slow play is overcrowding. Too many golfers on the course is a receipe for slow play.
10/18/07 @ 11:31
Comment from: ronmon [Visitor]
· http://mon
Smails says "I simply refuse to wait on the golf course."
Big shock, that admission. A gentleman's game will always leave no room for dealing with slow play. On the mean streets of urbania, slow play would not be tolerated, although blood would be spilled.
10/18/07 @ 17:23
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
Another problem is all the idiots who have brainwashed women into thinking they have to play golf. Now, not only are the courses more crowded, but they're packed with broads who hit their drivers 120 yards when they make contact. This, not to mention the presence of the old biddies who would have been playing bridge 20 years ago and having much more fun.
10/18/07 @ 20:15
Comment from: 2under [Visitor]
Shanks,
You are SOOOOO wrong. These "rangers" are doing MUCH more than just earning free golf. 1. Fixing the ropes (a very UNDERRATED activity) 2. Collect golf balls (for personal play) 3. Kabitz with the cart girl (reminiscing about the glory days) 4. Alerting the groups behind about potentially slow play..."It's a little backed up, it may take awhile..."(yet NEVER warns the offending group). 5. Hitting the f'ing accelerator in my backswing. 6. Acts as an impromptu gallery 7. Searches for (but somehow never finds) errant shots from your foursome. Important stuff...
10/18/07 @ 20:21
Comment from: wendy (uk) [Visitor]
Waited in vain for some sincere advice. Can't do a Kiel, Matt's experience so accurate, Ron is spoilt, Judge is old biddy. If course overcrowded, try to just go with the flow. Most people (even 4 men!) let me play through, but what do you with the group who won't, even when they have fallen a hole behind and the hole behind me is clear? When I complain to the management, they say it is etiquette not rule to be allowed to play through. Sometimes I do march up to group, sometimes I simply seethe. Come on, real people - alternatives pls?
10/22/07 @ 16:41
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
· http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
If management is not enforcing slow play rules, there's really not much you can do about it, short of hitting into the group and preparing for a fight.
In an example of the other end of the spectrum, I was playing the New Course at St. Andrews when a marshal rode up to our group to inform us that a twosome was behind us and that we were to let them play through on the next tee. And let me tell you, there wasn't going to be any ifs, ands or buts about it! Now I happen to know that my group gladly lets faster groups go through on a regular basis - but the marshal didn't, nor did he care to discuss it.
10/22/07 @ 16:57
Comment from: wendy (uk) [Visitor]
It was probably Prince Andrew who says a round should never take more than 3 hours - perhaps that's also why!
I think my blood would boil more at that injustice than it does at lack of etiquette.
10/23/07 @ 11:40
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
· http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
Interesting opinion, that. Wonder if the Prince chastises professional golfers for taking over 4 hours to play in TWOSOMES.
10/23/07 @ 12:15
Comment from: BV [Visitor]
Slow play, the curse of the modern era! I believe it is mostly NOT a function of motorized carts, rather it comes from watching the TV pros.
What to do when it affects YOU? Our regular group will first ask to play through, then ask a marshall to move them along. If that doesn't fix the problem, we start bombing the group in front. All 4 of us are ex-football players, well over 6 feet tall and WELL over 225 pounds (*sigh* it's hell gettin' old and loving FOOD) - so after a hole or two of that, they usually allow us through.
10/23/07 @ 13:00
Comment from: wendy (uk) [Visitor]
At least I have some sympathy for professionals taking more time over their shots than I do, as it is their living. The only time I ever hit near a group is when one or more of them has left bags (for the umpteenth time) in front of the green and stand on it marking scores. Hitting into them on the fairway is pretty counter-productive in my view. By the way, BV, I've seen the look of panic on faces when my 5'0" storms up to them.
10/24/07 @ 12:03
Comment from: BV [Visitor]
*smiles at Wendy* We only hit into them as a last resort...and we'd ONLY hit into a ladies 4-some if we wanted to meet y'all! That way we can apologize profusely, offer drinks from the bev cart or our stash, and maybe strike up a friendship! ;)
10/25/07 @ 12:43
Comment from: wendy (uk) [Visitor]
Hmmmm. And what do your wives think of this approach shot, I wonder?
PS Playing in a ladies 4-some is my idea of HELL. I only have male golf partners. PPS I do smile most sweetly when allowed to play through.
10/26/07 @ 10:23
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
Okay, Shanks, since you insist on deleting my comments, I'll be boycotting you just as I do Mario.
10/26/07 @ 15:32
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
· http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
Fine by me, if that's the kind of comments you intend to make.
10/26/07 @ 15:55
Comment from: wendy (uk) [Visitor]
Smails - Honi soit qui mal y pense.
Pity you won't be around to read it though.
10/27/07 @ 12:26
Comment from: Tim McDonald [Member]
When faced with a slow group, you do one of two things:
1) Sit back and relax, enjoy the surroundings. Call your wife on the cell phone. Smoke a cigarette. Stretch. Practice your chipping around the tee box. Engage in deep conversation with your partners. 2) Ride up in your cart when they're on the tee and ask them if you can play through. I've never had anyone refuse this.
10/31/07 @ 16:02
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
· http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
Timbo, that's because your mere presence strikes the fear of God in those girlie-men.
11/01/07 @ 07:43
Comment from: wendy (uk) [Visitor]
Nah!
Shame on you, Shanks, for using a term for female in such a pejorative fashion.
11/05/07 @ 16:17
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
· http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
Had Schwarzenegger in my mind.
11/06/07 @ 06:54
Comment from: BJ [Visitor]
I've noticed on a lot of european courses handicap limits are established for certain tees and sometimes to even play at all. This would help slow play here too. I don't know how many times I've been behind a 20-something hcp 4-some playing from the tips because it's cool, or the only manly thing to do I guess. Our clubs here don't have the bahls to enforce this though, unfortunately.
02/06/08 @ 14:35
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
· http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
What the 20 plus-ers dont' realize is that it's much more enjoyable to shoot a score 10-20 shots lower from the regualr tees. I'm always elated with a birdie or a scrambling par, regardless of the length of the hole. The game is challenging enough from the regular tees for most golfers.
02/06/08 @ 14:42
Comment from: Wendy (UK) [Visitor]
Forgive my ignorance, but are you saying that US courses don't insist on handicap certificates? I mean obviously most of the "pay & play" ones over here don't, but the majority of others do. When I travel to France to play, for example, it is quite common to be asked for certificate, or at least for handicap and home club name & membership no. More unnerving was the time I was accompanied to the first tee and watched as I drove off - fortunately despite shaky knees, it was pretty respectable. Also the tips are reserved for official competition play only. Although I never see anyone around to enforce this, or anything else for that dratted matter, I have never seen it abused either. Maybe we just have a more conformist mentality?
02/08/08 @ 10:32
Comment from: Donald Ritter [Visitor]
Nope, Wendy, that fascist "ver are zee papers!?" bull$hit is unique to your side of the pond.
02/08/08 @ 10:36
Comment from: Wendy (UK) [Visitor]
I suspect it has more to do with the Mighty $, Donald.
I'm desperately trying to block from my mind a picture of you and Hillary together - a totally different scenario of slow play.
02/08/08 @ 11:15
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
· http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
No, Wendy, we do not have to show our handicap card when we play a routine round of golf in the US. On the other hand we cannot play on a significant number of the best courses in the country either. I personally prefer the UK method of allowing persons of a demonstrated skill level the opportunity to play the greatest courses in the world. Over here, many of those courses are reserved strictly for the uber-priviledged of society. In Golf magazine's 2007 top ten US courses, Pine Valley, Cypress Point, Augusta National, Shinnecock Hills, Oakmont, Merion, Sand Hills and National Golf Links are virtually out of bounds for the average golfer unless he has contacts with some very rich people. Yet, I can go to the British Isles and play nearly every course there, including all that host the British Open. Although I doubt he'd admit it, Donald Ritter would be thrilled to be able to play Augusta National just by paying the greens fee and showing his handicap card of less than 20-24.
02/08/08 @ 11:15
Comment from: Donald Ritter [Visitor]
If not Hillary, then perhaps you, Wendy? I always golf better if there's a lady there to kiss my balls for luck.
02/08/08 @ 11:32
Comment from: Wendy (UK) [Visitor]
I live and learn, Shanks. Obviously there are countless members only or member-invitee only courses I can't play over here, and I don't think it is unreasonable to demonstrate a 20-24 handicap before being allowed to play on some courses, let alone the most hallowed ones, for the sake of both the course and fellow-players. It was honour enough to be allowed to eat a club sandwich at Pebble Beach for heaven's sake!
On the other side of the coin for Donald, however, there are some lovely courses in Scotland where they simply have "honesty boxes" & the fees are so cheap you wouldn't even want to get change of your £10 note.
02/08/08 @ 11:44
Comment from: Wendy (UK) [Visitor]
Anyone else care to explain to Donald why he's obviously such a lousy golfer?
02/08/08 @ 11:52
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
· http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
The sad part of whole deal is that there are a large number of unplayable (for us - the rabble) courses in the US that are hosting our national championship. Thankfully the USGA has changed it's course and started to play the US Open on public courses such as Bethpage and Torrey Pines in addition to resort courses such as Pebble Beach and Pinehurst. So at least we can play a few of them now.
02/08/08 @ 12:08
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
· http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
What a coincidence. Today Chambers Bay in Tacoma, Washington will be selected to host the 2015 US Open. It is another municipal course.
02/08/08 @ 12:52
Comment from: Wendy (UK) [Visitor]
There you go - I'm obviously not the only one who listens to your recommendations! Never heard of Chambers Bay, however - are any other regular PGA tournaments played there?
02/08/08 @ 13:00
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
· http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
No, there are not. The course is a spectacular new seaside links (yes, the real deal!) that will host the US Amateur in 2010. Google chambers bay golf and check it out. Very impressive.
02/08/08 @ 13:05
Comment from: Wendy (UK) [Visitor]
Scary!!!! Bet I can hit that tree. Hope you are saving your pennies so that you can give first-hand feedback.
02/08/08 @ 13:56
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
· http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
Not this year, unfortunately. The boys and I are headed to Las Vegas next month on our annual golf trip. That should be interesting. Then the lovely Mrs. Shanks and I are headed to Myrtle Beach in July.
02/08/08 @ 14:20
Comment from: Wendy (UK) [Visitor]
What would the lovely Mrs. Shanks think about a trip to Dubai? Of course you might have to forego your next annual golf trip - particularly if she would like my recommendations on the gold souks?!
My only worry about Myrtle Beach is the number of your fellow Bloggers you might run into - surely she shouldn't be subjected to that risk?
02/08/08 @ 14:36
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
· http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
Overseas travel is unlikely until the US dollar gains some strength. And I always travel incognito with the lovely Mrs. Shanks - to avoid most of these bloggers!
02/08/08 @ 15:02 Leave a comment: |
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