Slow Play

broders3

Hi all,

Wanted to highlight this topic again. I was playing in Dunmurry Springs today for the first time and enjoyed the course. It was in good condition.

I was playing with 1 friend, we both play off 9. There was a 20 minute gap gap in front of us and we caught up with a 4 ball in front of us on the 4th hole. There was 2 men and 2 women. On the 6th we were literally 30 yards behind them and they just walked on, without even ringing the bell around the corner. On the 8th they were searching for golf balls and I waved to get through but was ignored again. On the 10th green I asked them if we could play through on the 11th the par 3 (the 4 ball ahead were about half a hole ahead of them) and they were furious! I could not believe their lack of courtesy and general etiquette.

Eventually they relented and let us through but their attitude was just appalling. I didn't want to bring age into this thing but they were all of an advanced age who didn't give a fiddlers about others on the course. When we got through the 4 ball ahead of them let us straight through! When we finished on the 18th the offending 4 ball were on the 15th green up on the hill which meant our round would have been at least another hour.

I didn't want it to get to the stage where I had to ask to be let through but it was literally ruining our round. The unpleasantness at the time we got through took away from it as well.

Really want to see slow play stamped out!

Sean

Deank

broders3 wrote: »

Hi all,

Wanted to highlight this topic again. I was playing in Dunmurry Springs today for the first time and enjoyed the course. It was in good condition.

I was playing with 1 friend, we both play off 9. There was a 20 minute gap gap in front of us and we caught up with a 4 ball in front of us on the 4th hole. There was 2 men and 2 women. On the 6th we were literally 30 yards behind them and they just walked on, without even ringing the bell around the corner. On the 8th they were searching for golf balls and I waved to get through but was ignored again. On the 10th green I asked them if we could play through on the 11th the par 3 (the 4 ball ahead were about half a hole ahead of them) and they were furious! I could not believe their lack of courtesy and general etiquette.

Eventually they relented and let us through but their attitude was just appalling. I didn't want to bring age into this thing but they were all of an advanced age who didn't give a fiddlers about others on the course. When we got through the 4 ball ahead of them let us straight through! When we finished on the 18th the offending 4 ball were on the 15th green up on the hill which meant our round would have been at least another hour.

I didn't want it to get to the stage where I had to ask to be let through but it was literally ruining our round. The unpleasantness at the time we got through took away from it as well.

Really want to see slow play stamped out!

Sean

I used to be a member in Dunmurry Springs, slow play was common place, I used to have to ring into the club house regularly to get a ranger out to move the group on in front or to let us through, not wanting to sound sexist but it was generally the female members that held up rounds and were pig ignorant about letting groups behind through. It's still a great course, greens were always magnificent, btw the bell is on the 5th not the 6th.;)

irish bloke

Deank wrote: »

I used to be a member in Dunmurry Springs, slow play was common place, I used to have to ring into the club house regularly to get a ranger out to move the group on in front or to let us through, not wanting to sound sexist but it was generally the female members that held up rounds and were pig ignorant about letting groups behind through. It's still a great course, greens were always magnificent, btw the bell is on the 5th not the 6th.;)

Does anyone think there should be separate courses for women, or is it just me...

No, only joking (kind of ), but its the worst part of the game for me.
I think ringing the ranger as much as its not the kinda thing you want to be doing, is your only real option..

Cant think how you could sensibly change this tbh.

golfnut1

broders3 wrote: »

Hi all,

Wanted to highlight this topic again. I was playing in Dunmurry Springs today for the first time and enjoyed the course. It was in good condition.

I was playing with 1 friend, we both play off 9. There was a 20 minute gap gap in front of us and we caught up with a 4 ball in front of us on the 4th hole. There was 2 men and 2 women. On the 6th we were literally 30 yards behind them and they just walked on, without even ringing the bell around the corner. On the 8th they were searching for golf balls and I waved to get through but was ignored again. On the 10th green I asked them if we could play through on the 11th the par 3 (the 4 ball ahead were about half a hole ahead of them) and they were furious! I could not believe their lack of courtesy and general etiquette.

Eventually they relented and let us through but their attitude was just appalling. I didn't want to bring age into this thing but they were all of an advanced age who didn't give a fiddlers about others on the course. When we got through the 4 ball ahead of them let us straight through! When we finished on the 18th the offending 4 ball were on the 15th green up on the hill which meant our round would have been at least another hour.

I didn't want it to get to the stage where I had to ask to be let through but it was literally ruining our round. The unpleasantness at the time we got through took away from it as well.

Really want to see slow play stamped out!

Sean

The other way of looking at it is. The 4ball was a half a hole behind the group in front so that is exactly where they should be.
It's a bh weekend with an open s/f comp. The pace of play would be 4 ball.
I can understand why they wouldn't be to happy with you really. Playing in a 2 ball your the odd ones out.
Not trying to be nasty but when you look at it from their point of view I'm sure you can see where they were coming from
If you want a quick game don't pick a bank holiday weekend for it.

Unglika Norse

What was the order of play, if the rule in the club is fourballs have precedent you have no automatic right to go through or even ask to be let through. They seemed to be keeping up well enough with play if they were only a half a hole down on the fourball in front of them and the fact that they were on the 15th Green when you finished on the
18th with at least one fourball between you if not more dosn't seem to be to much out of sync considering that you were an accomplished two ball.

Now I'm not saying slow play is a pain, but players shouldn't be expected to run around like olympic athletes either,

golfnut1

irish bloke wrote: »

Does anyone think there should be separate courses for women, or is it just me...

No, only joking (kind of ), but its the worst part of the game for me.
I think ringing the ranger as much as its not the kinda thing you want to be doing, is your only real option..

Cant think how you could sensibly change this tbh.

1. Complimentary Buggies for Seniors
2. Ball spotters (A few of young lads on summer holidays from school)

Having both these measures in place at peak times would speed up play imo.

Almaviva

golfnut1 wrote: »

1. Complimentary Buggies for Seniors
2. Ball spotters (A few of young lads on summer holidays from school)

Having both these measures in place at peak times would speed up play imo.

1. Will you pay for them ?
2. Will you pay for them ?

How much would you be willing to have you sub increased by for these services ?

golfnut1

Almaviva wrote: »

1. Will you pay for them ?
2. Will you pay for them ?

How much would you be willing to have you sub increased by for these services ?

You could take the same view with the cost a maintaining good quality greens.
Sure it's either a problem or it's not. If its a problem and it's affecting green fees/comp fees revenue it will pay for itself and some.
Personally I dont think it is a major problem. Golf takes time.

mr.jingle

Deank wrote: »

I used to have to ring into the club house regularly to get a ranger out to move the group on in front or to let us through

I hope the ranger came out and threw you off the course for using your mobile whilst on it :D:D

It's a horrible thing being behind a group that have no sense of awareness or golfing etiquette. I'd never go as far as some people I have played with and hit a warning shot so to speak, when they are just outside the distance but close enough to see the ball coming but then this has backfired and any chance of going through evaporates.

stockdam

I'm not sure why age was brought into the original post - I lost interest when that was brought up.

Deank

mr.jingle wrote: »

I hope the ranger came out and threw you off the course for using your mobile whilst on it :D:D

It's a horrible thing being behind a group that have no sense of awareness or golfing etiquette. I'd never go as far as some people I have played with and hit a warning shot so to speak, when they are just outside the distance but close enough to see the ball coming but then this has backfired and any chance of going through evaporates.

Ranger was called after a warning shot or 2, they can always backfire, you could be hitting it sideways all day and hit one out of the screws, warning shot flies over their heads and it's putters at the ready.

pistolpetes11

Played today in a 3 ball Luttrellstown :

2 of us can play and the other lad was only playing his second game

Tee off was for 13.50 ,

Anyway a four ball were on the tee box , no one on the fairway or green ahead of them ,

Took nearly 15 mins for them to get set up and get away then it got fun , one of them hit wide of the fairway to the right , 2 down the left and one just off the fairway on the left ,

Low and behold the 3 of them go over to look for the other fellas ball , this took another 6-7 minutes, this went on for the whole round , rather than looking after there own balls then going to help the other lad.

Same on the greens , all standing around lining up the one fellas ball and watching him hit rather than getting set up them self !!!

I was very close to firing a few warning shots down , they were completely taking the p!ss, ruined what was a great day for a game and destroyed the round , we were all playing well but started rapidly to loose interest after 4hr 30 minute mark , they was a two ball behind us and I offered them through on the 6th but they declined after I told them what the lads were like in front !!!

k.p.h

I know you are only considered the warning shot pistolpetes11 and I can understand you frustration and I don't mean to single you out, but no matter how slow someone is playing or whatever messing go's on, hitting a golf ball intentionally anywhere near someone is extremely bad form. Imagine if a ball did hit someone, a multitude of things could happen, either being really bad for the person who had been hit by the ball or to the person who had hit the ball.

Things like "they were going slow" won't hold up in court when someone had a fractured skull... Obviously worse case scenario but..

slave1

golfnut1 wrote: »

The other way of looking at it is. The 4ball was a half a hole behind the group in front so that is exactly where they should be.
It's a bh weekend with an open s/f comp. The pace of play would be 4 ball.
I can understand why they wouldn't be to happy with you really. Playing in a 2 ball your the odd ones out.
Not trying to be nasty but when you look at it from their point of view I'm sure you can see where they were coming from
If you want a quick game don't pick a bank holiday weekend for it.

Have to agree with this post, I was out in Athlone on Sunday afternoon, with a guy who just picked up the game and he is on his first card for handicap so when looking for a time asked for a slot when it would be quiet as we'd probably be that bit slower than normal.
Given 2.30 slot, arrived at 2.15 only to be told it was 2.25 we were off and that we should be off the first green by 2.30 (par 4) as there was a 2-ball ladies competition starting at 2.30.
By the time we were walking onto the first green the ladies had teed off and were already waiting to take their approach so we ended up letting a good few through.
Poor show on behalf of the club, there was no-one on the first 3 holes when I arrived so we could easily have teed off at 2.00 if given that time.
I was also taking the opportunity to see what the course is like as they have quite a low membership cost this year and their time management did not bode well with me, that and the course was in brutal condition, bank holiday weekend and the greens were heavily spiked (just done and really you could not putt, the ball was over the shop), the course was extremely wet in places with a lot of GUR (which I can appreciate) but the upkeep was very poor, the bunkers were in brutal shape, grass growing that has obviously been there quite some time and there were large stones in a good few of them. Two of us were considering joining this year but given the experience yesterday it won't be happening, I've paid a fiver for a rough and ready 9-hole course that would trump Athlone's current condition.

Dr_Colossus

slave1 wrote: »

Have to agree with this post, I was out in Athlone on Sunday afternoon, with a guy who just picked up the game and he is on his first card for handicap so when looking for a time asked for a slot when it would be quiet as we'd probably be that bit slower than normal.
Given 2.30 slot, arrived at 2.15 only to be told it was 2.25 we were off and that we should be off the first green by 2.30 (par 4) as there was a 2-ball ladies competition starting at 2.30.
By the time we were walking onto the first green the ladies had teed off and were already waiting to take their approach so we ended up letting a good few through.
Poor show on behalf of the club, there was no-one on the first 3 holes when I arrived so we could easily have teed off at 2.00 if given that time.
I was also taking the opportunity to see what the course is like as they have quite a low membership cost this year and their time management did not bode well with me, that and the course was in brutal condition, bank holiday weekend and the greens were heavily spiked (just done and really you could not putt, the ball was over the shop), the course was extremely wet in places with a lot of GUR (which I can appreciate) but the upkeep was very poor, the bunkers were in brutal shape, grass growing that has obviously been there quite some time and there were large stones in a good few of them. Two of us were considering joining this year but given the experience yesterday it won't be happening, I've paid a fiver for a rough and ready 9-hole course that would trump Athlone's current condition.

Sounds disastrous. I hope you mentioned all this to them in the clubhouse afterwards and how two of you were thinking of joining but now looking elsewhere given your experience. Have never played Athlone but I thought it had quite a good reputation, not in the same league as Glasson but up there none the less but maybe I misheard.
Whatever about the condition of the course which sometimes can't be helped the time management issue is a real oversight and sounds like a lazy after thought. As a prospective member they should really have been trying to entice you to join and give you every welcome into the place but doesn't sound like they were too bothered.

L.O.F.T

Deank wrote: »

not wanting to sound sexist but it was generally the female members that held up rounds and were pig ignorant about letting groups behind through.

Deank wrote: »

It's still a great course, greens were always magnificent, btw the bell is on the 5th not the 6th.;)

The bell is now on the sixth, like the bell things change over time unlike your perceptions of slow play and it being reserved to females.

Deank

L.O.F.T wrote: »

The bell is now on the sixth, like the bell things change over time unlike your perceptions of slow play and it being reserved to females.

It's about time there was a bell on the 6th, have had a few close calls on that hole.
I did say in my previous post that I didn't intend to be sexist, but in my experience playing the course it was generally (not always) female members that caused hold ups through slow play and not understanding course etiquette.

BoardsMember

golfnut1 wrote: »

The other way of looking at it is. The 4ball was a half a hole behind the group in front so that is exactly where they should be.
It's a bh weekend with an open s/f comp. The pace of play would be 4 ball.
I can understand why they wouldn't be to happy with you really. Playing in a 2 ball your the odd ones out.
Not trying to be nasty but when you look at it from their point of view I'm sure you can see where they were coming from
If you want a quick game don't pick a bank holiday weekend for it.

When I look at it from their point of view: "there's been a two-ball behind us for ages, why dont we let them through so we can all enjoy our day , it wont affect us in any way at all if we do"

Unglika Norse wrote: »

What was the order of play, if the rule in the club is fourballs have precedent you have no automatic right to go through or even ask to be let through. They seemed to be keeping up well enough with play if they were only a half a hole down on the fourball in front of them and the fact that they were on the 15th Green when you finished on the
18th with at least one fourball between you if not more dosn't seem to be to much out of sync considering that you were an accomplished two ball.

Now I'm not saying slow play is a pain, but players shouldn't be expected to run around like olympic athletes either,

No, players should not be expected to play quicker, they can let quicker people through.

I despair at the myopic opinions on slow play sometimes, if you are enjoying your round, and playing at a reasonable pace, that's just great. If there is room on the course in front, and there is someone clearly being frustrated by your pace behind, then just let them through and let everyone enjoy their day.

golfnut1

BoardsMember wrote: »

golfnut1 wrote: »

The other way of looking at it is. The 4ball was a half a hole behind the group in front so that is exactly where they should be.
It's a bh weekend with an open s/f comp. The pace of play would be 4 ball.
I can understand why they wouldn't be to happy with you really. Playing in a 2 ball your the odd ones out.
Not trying to be nasty but when you look at it from their point of view I'm sure you can see where they were coming from
If you want a quick game don't pick a bank holiday weekend for it.

When I look at it from their point of view: "there's been a two-ball behind us for ages, why dont we let them through so we can all enjoy our day , it wont affect us in any way at all if we do"

Unglika Norse wrote: »

What was the order of play, if the rule in the club is fourballs have precedent you have no automatic right to go through or even ask to be let through. They seemed to be keeping up well enough with play if they were only a half a hole down on the fourball in front of them and the fact that they were on the 15th Green when you finished on the
18th with at least one fourball between you if not more dosn't seem to be to much out of sync considering that you were an accomplished two ball.

Now I'm not saying slow play is a pain, but players shouldn't be expected to run around like olympic athletes either,

No, players should not be expected to play quicker, they can let quicker people through.

I despair at the myopic opinions on slow play sometimes, if you are enjoying your round, and playing at a reasonable pace, that's just great. If there is room on the course in front, and there is someone clearly being frustrated by your pace behind, then just let them through and let everyone enjoy their day.

The time sheet for yesterday was pretty much full of 4balls. The pace of play was 4 balls why should a 2ball be allowed to charge through and disrupt god only knows how many groups. It's a different thing if there is a 2 ball stuck behind a 4ball with a massive gap in front of them. But that can't be expected on a bank holiday weekend.

PRAF

golfnut1 wrote: »

The time sheet for yesterday was pretty much full of 4balls. The pace of play was 4 balls why should a 2ball be allowed to charge through and disrupt god only knows how many groups. It's a different thing if there is a 2 ball stuck behind a 4ball with a massive gap in front of them. But that can't be expected on a bank holiday weekend.

While I sympathise with the guys who were delayed, I can also see the other side of it. I regularly play in comps where the timesheet it 95-99% full of 4 balls. My group is almost always a 4 ball. You occasionally get 3-balls (or even 2 balls) behind. If you let them through, you'll be delayed 10 mins yourself and the 3 ball will end up stuck behind another load of 4 balls and will have no chance of getting by all of them. If you don't let them though, you are open to the accusation of being a slow group.

Shouldn't there also be an onus on clubs to manage the timesheet so that guys go out in 4 balls where possible.

On the rare occasion when we're out in a 3 ball, we will generally just play to a 4 ball pace because we know there is no point in trying to play through a raft of other 4 balls.

BoardsMember

golfnut1 wrote: »

The time sheet for yesterday was pretty much full of 4balls. The pace of play was 4 balls why should a 2ball be allowed to charge through and disrupt god only knows how many groups. It's a different thing if there is a 2 ball stuck behind a 4ball with a massive gap in front of them. But that can't be expected on a bank holiday weekend.

Absolutely, I completely agree.

As I said, if there is room on the course in front then let everyone enjoy their day. The OP said that there was lots of room on the course in front.

foxyboxer

A good point, but there's slow play and there's just taking the piss.
Played Blarney yesterday as a 2-ball. We joined up with another couple for the first 4 holes as there was a stableford competition on.

Guess how long it took to complete 9 holes?
3 hours 20 minutes!!!!!

For example, the 4 ball ahead of us were playing the 5th (uphill par 3 into the wind). They all took drivers off the tee. All four lost their balls. All four took provisionals, and lost those too. Then spent some time looking for their balls. I know it's a competition but if you lost your provisional ball too, then you should scratch the hole and move on.

And this is with a stream of 4-balls ahead too so being let through is no solution. We completed the 11th and ducked into the 17th and 18th as it was free. Didn't even get a complete round.

I guess the point is if you're playing at the weekend socially then best to do it first thing or a later afternoon tee off time.

golfnut1

BoardsMember wrote: »

golfnut1 wrote: »

The time sheet for yesterday was pretty much full of 4balls. The pace of play was 4 balls why should a 2ball be allowed to charge through and disrupt god only knows how many groups. It's a different thing if there is a 2 ball stuck behind a 4ball with a massive gap in front of them. But that can't be expected on a bank holiday weekend.

Absolutely, I completely agree.

As I said, if there is room on the course in front then let everyone enjoy their day. The OP said that there was lots of room on the course in front.

The 4balls was a half a hole behind another 4ball according to to op. So that's at least 2 group that need to give way/be delayed to facilitate the 2 ball and judging by the time sheet probably more.
Asking to go through would seem a little presumptuous to me.
Think about it who is really being inconsiderate here?

L.O.F.T

PRAF wrote: »

Shouldn't there also be an onus on clubs to manage the timesheet so that guys go out in 4 balls where possible

Totally agree PRAF, the club should have made it clear that there were lots of four-balls out on the course and it would be slow, plus being a Bank Holiday weekend open it is always going to be a slow day as a two ball.

BoardsMember

golfnut1 wrote: »

The 4balls was a half a hole behind another 4ball according to to op. So that's at least 2 group that need to give way/be delayed to facilitate the 2 ball and judging by the time sheet probably more.
Asking to go through would seem a little presumptuous to me.
Think about it who is really being inconsiderate here?

According to the OP, they got through 2 fourballs and then had a clear run. For me, it is entirely reasonable to expect golfers to let people through in this scenario.

A couple of things:

• it isnt a load of hassle to let people through, nor does it slow you down by ten minutes or anything like it
• if I am involved in a 4ball and there are quicker people behind me, I'm much more at ease letting them through, allowing everyone to enjoy their round

A lot of people dont believe either the above to be the case. What's the big deal with letting people through, and doing it when common sense and decency suggests its the right thing to do. Obviously if the course is full of 4balls there's no point. But if there are two sets of fourballs in front of you, and then a free course, and you are being held up for every shot, I think it is entirely reasonable to expect to be let through, to ask to be let through, and to be cross if not allowed. Failure to let people through, or to offer, in these circumstances is just pig ignorance.

FixdePitchmark

Ok, was out today , a two ball. There was a group of elderly men a four ball who held up 7 groups , had to go in early at 13.

I hear people saying it is not a race etc. But come on , who has 5, 6 + hours for a game of golf.

I'm of the view, that there should be no 4 balls at all. Or if there are, it should be all 4 balls.

But even at that, If you are trying to bring younger people into golf clubs. How on earth could you take that much time out on a Sunday or any day.

Once you go over 5 hours the game becomes unplayable in my view. I know this will not be agreed with.

Mur1

BoardsMember wrote: »

According to the OP, they got through 2 fourballs and then had a clear run. For me, it is entirely reasonable to expect golfers to let people through in this scenario.

A couple of things:

• it isnt a load of hassle to let people through, nor does it slow you down by ten minutes or anything like it
• if I am involved in a 4ball and there are quicker people behind me, I'm much more at ease letting them through, allowing everyone to enjoy their round

A lot of people dont believe either the above to be the case. What's the big deal with letting people through, and doing it when common sense and decency suggests its the right thing to do. Obviously if the course is full of 4balls there's no point. But if there are two sets of fourballs in front of you, and then a free course, and you are being held up for every shot, I think it is entirely reasonable to expect to be let through, to ask to be let through, and to be cross if not allowed. Failure to let people through, or to offer, in these circumstances is just pig ignorance.

totally agree with this. To let a two ball through takes maybe 5 min and then your can play on without anybody stuck up your !

golfnut1

BoardsMember wrote: »

According to the OP, they got through 2 fourballs and then had a clear run. For me, it is entirely reasonable to expect golfers to let people through in this scenario.

A couple of things:

• it isnt a load of hassle to let people through, nor does it slow you down by ten minutes or anything like it
• if I am involved in a 4ball and there are quicker people behind me, I'm much more at ease letting them through, allowing everyone to enjoy their round

A lot of people dont believe either the above to be the case. What's the big deal with letting people through, and doing it when common sense and decency suggests its the right thing to do. Obviously if the course is full of 4balls there's no point. But if there are two sets of fourballs in front of you, and then a free course, and you are being held up for every shot, I think it is entirely reasonable to expect to be let through, to ask to be let through, and to be cross if not allowed. Failure to let people through, or to offer, in these circumstances is just pig ignorance.

1. If the 4ball in question was a half a hole behind the next group then it is incorrect to suggest they were slow.
2. Expecting to be called through is presumptuous. (If your called through it's the group in fronts decision not yours, regardless whether they know there is a free run two holes ahead for the 2ball or not)
3. Asking to be called through is even more presumptuous.
4. Complaining about it being slow on a bank holiday weekend with a open comp on full of 4balls when your in a 2ball is crazy.
5 The pace of play that day was 4 ball like it or not
6 calling a 2ball through can take up to 10 mins fact.
7 4 balls have priority.

There is a time and a place for calling a group through but obviously this 4 ball took exception by being asked by the 2 ball.

All I know is if wanted to get through I wouldnt ask but thats just me.

blue note

As a junior, slow golfers were the biggest nightmare we faced - simply because they would never let you through. And I know that the adults are paying vastly more per year, but it wouldn't make much of a difference to call us through.

I try to remember this when juniors are in front / behind me now.

BoardsMember

golfnut1 wrote: »

1. If the 4ball in question was a half a hole behind the next group then it is incorrect to suggest they were slow.

Nonsense. They both could have been slow. Either way, both would most likely have been quite a bit slower than a 2 ball, and if they are the only 4balls on the course then be a gent and let the 2ball thru.

golfnut1 wrote: »

2. Expecting to be called through is presumptuous. (If your called through it's the group in fronts decision not yours, regardless whether they know there is a free run two holes ahead for the 2ball or not)

Agreed, it's not ideal, but if you're looking like being stuck for a 5 hour round instead of a 3 hour round due to the ignorance of the people in front then I think it is acceptable to ask - you should not have to, as it should be offered.

golfnut1 wrote: »

3. Asking to be called through is even more presumptuous.

Not really, maybe brazen, but yo are asking to its not presumptuous

golfnut1 wrote: »

4. Complaining about it being slow on a bank holiday weekend with a open comp on full of 4balls when your in a 2ball is crazy.

It would be if that was the OP predicament, absolutely, but it is not

golfnut1 wrote: »

5 The pace of play that day was 4 ball like it or not

No it wasnt

golfnut1 wrote: »

6 calling a 2ball through can take up to 10 mins fact.

Not usually the case

golfnut1 wrote: »

7 4 balls have priority.

Nonsense

golfnut1 wrote: »

There is a time and a place for calling a group through but obviously this 4 ball took exception by being asked by the 2 ball.

All I know is if wanted to get through I wouldnt ask but thats just me.

Golfnut1 - "All I know is if I wanted to go through I wouldnt ask". That about sums it up - you'd rather be stuck behind a couple of fourballs for 5 or 6 hours than ask politely to be let through. Grow a pair of nuts!! (that's a joke based on your name, I dont mean it aggressively).

Did you ever see the film Falling Down? It's a good one, you might empathise with the lead actor

Anyhow, there's nothing wrong in asking to be called through when it is appropriate. If it is a course of fourballs and you're in a two ball, then it is not appropriate.

I have suffered a fairly unpleasant ocurrence in this scenario, where we were a 4ball in a competition on the timesheet, and a two ball behind bullied their way through. I was furious, but short of it becoming physical we had no option but to let them through. So I know the bad side of these things. But if everyone is reasonable it should be just peachy - the first thing I was taught about etiquette was not to hold people up.

Not wanting to be sexist or ageist about this...I'm going to be both sexist and ageist..... I find older men the worst for ignoring people behind that they are holding up, but that's just my experience

irish bloke

As taken from the rules of golf etiquette section (2012-2015)

Play at Good Pace and Keep Up

Players should play at a good pace. The Committee may establish pace of play guidelines that all players should follow.

It is a group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group. Where a group has not lost a clear hole, but it is apparent that the group behind can play faster, it should invite the faster moving group to play through.

golfnut1

irish bloke wrote: »

As taken from the rules of golf etiquette section (2012-2015)

Play at Good Pace and Keep Up

Players should play at a good pace. The Committee may establish pace of play guidelines that all players should follow.

It is a group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group. Where a group has not lost a clear hole, but it is apparent that the group behind can play faster, it should invite the faster moving group to play through.

Wait to be invited to play through. Id go along with that.

Loire

I think it's all down to how you leave a group behind through....Standing off the fairway and waiting for them to tee off and subsequently hit & play the hole can add a noticeable time and also put you off your rythm. I find a much easier way is to wait until the next hole, tee off and wait there for the group behind you. That way, after they tee off, both groups can head down the fairway, with the slower group really taking their time walking down. By the time the slower group is ready to play their 2nd shot the quicker group are practically finished anyway.

Running Balance

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I hear people saying it is not a race etc. But come on , who has 5, 6 + hours for a game of golf.

I'm of the view, that there should be no 4 balls at all. Or if there are, it should be all 4 balls.

But even at that, If you are trying to bring younger people into golf clubs. How on earth could you take that much time out on a Sunday or any day.

Once you go over 5 hours the game becomes unplayable in my view. I know this will not be agreed with.

totally agree with this surely after 12 o'clock at weekends only 2 or 3 balls left out together. 5 hours plus for a round is unbearable and its more likely to lose interest.

charlieIRL

One club I played at only let out 4 balls during competition time (8:00 to 12:30 AFAIK) on Saturdays and Sundays. If you turned up as a 2 ball you were paired off with 2 other people and let out. Now this would not suit everyone i.e. if you were out for a round with a mate, but it kept things ticking along nicely. Was only the odd time you wouldn't get paired up.

k.p.h

I play a with a few lads who are just starting out, it strange to see them do all the silly stuff that just eats time, ages over a shot, standing off the green when they are up next to putt, walking the wrong way around the green with the trolley etc..

After my first few holes with them I realized that we were going to take ages but I didn't want to say anything so I thought best thing to do was lead by example, queue me walking to the ball briskly, still taking time over my shot though, lining up my putts when the others were loitering around, and actively encouraging them to play out of turn e.g "I'l get the flag if you want to take your shot while x gets to his ball" etc. Did not take long for the lads to get the idea and they are great to play with now.

Moral of the story, there is a perceived etiquette that when you are playing golf you have to let the furthest from the hole go first even if they are 20y from the ball,without a glove and club when you are standing over yours ready to go, also on the green that you have to stand 20y away from someone having a putt. I think these ideas should be actively challenged and ready golf introduced as the best practice.

Bobby_Kennedy

Maybe it's been mentioned above, but the nub of the issue is letting groups of four out in a singles competition, be it an open singles or club singles.

I don't understand why clubs allow this. My club does not allow this, but we seem to be an exception. It takes away from the enjoyment of everyone. The pace of play with four balls in play in each group is too slow.The only time groups of four should be allowed is in a fourball or foursomes.

L.O.F.T

Bobby_Kennedy wrote: »

Maybe it's been mentioned above, but the nub of the issue is letting groups of four out in a singles competition, be it an open singles or club singles.

I don't understand why clubs allow this.

Seves Three Iron

Bobby K, you get in there just before me on this! Completely agree with you. In the last couple of years in particular I've noticed singles opens increasingly moving to fourballs. It's all about taking in extra revenue as the previous poster indicates but, in my case, it's losing them revenue as I've stopped playing in them. It's partly because I'm self employed and don't get much time to play and partly because I just hate waiting on others to play in fourballs, but I don't play in any open anymore that's not a three ball max. Generally I try and fly around early with the auld lad in a two ball. I'd be surprised if others weren't the same.

Seves Three Iron

On an aside, there's a lot of things feeding into slow play now and the influence of tour pros who, in turn, are influenced by swing coaches, psychologists etc all telling them not to hit until they're absolutely, 145% ready hasn't helped. I've definitely noticed younger players taking longer to hit now than they used to. The likes of Ben Crane, Kevin Na, Immelman and even Harrington get huge exposure and are naturally copied.

FixdePitchmark

k.p.h wrote: »

I play a with a few lads who are just starting out, it strange to see them do all the silly stuff that just eats time, ages over a shot, standing off the green when they are up next to putt, walking the wrong way around the green with the trolley etc..

After my first few holes with them I realized that we were going to take ages but I didn't want to say anything so I thought best thing to do was lead by example, queue me walking to the ball briskly, still taking time over my shot though, lining up my putts when the others were loitering around, and actively encouraging them to play out of turn e.g "I'l get the flag if you want to take your shot while x gets to his ball" etc. Did not take long for the lads to get the idea and they are great to play with now.

Moral of the story, there is a perceived etiquette that when you are playing golf you have to let the furthest from the hole go first even if they are 20y from the ball,without a glove and club when you are standing over yours ready to go, also on the green that you have to stand 20y away from someone having a putt. I think these ideas should be actively challenged and ready golf introduced as the best practice.

I'm in the same spot here, trying to show new golfers what to do. I ended up being looked on as just a bit of a Pri%K. But, it is hard for me to judge because I play too fast.

One of my pet hates are practice swings. What the hell use is a 2nd and third and even fourth practice swing for.

My others are

1. Marking card on green / finger pointing at counting shots.
2. Walking slow. (unless old or injured)
3. 4 balls
4. Looking too long for a ball in a friendly game with somebody on tee.
5. Playing as fast as they can when they don't want to let you go through (that one is funny to watch), they won't even look at you.:D
6. Practice Putts when you are behind waiting.
7. Slow putters ( I mean over 45 secs a putt)
8. Bag in wrong place.

You should only be happy to play through if you are willing to let through is my sort of motto.

You also need to be aware that you are slow sometimes too and the most experienced golfer in the group should know when you are being slow.

PRAF

k.p.h wrote: »

I play a with a few lads who are just starting out, it strange to see them do all the silly stuff that just eats time, ages over a shot, standing off the green when they are up next to putt, walking the wrong way around the green with the trolley etc..

After my first few holes with them I realized that we were going to take ages but I didn't want to say anything so I thought best thing to do was lead by example, queue me walking to the ball briskly, still taking time over my shot though, lining up my putts when the others were loitering around, and actively encouraging them to play out of turn e.g "I'l get the flag if you want to take your shot while x gets to his ball" etc. Did not take long for the lads to get the idea and they are great to play with now.

Moral of the story, there is a perceived etiquette that when you are playing golf you have to let the furthest from the hole go first even if they are 20y from the ball,without a glove and club when you are standing over yours ready to go, also on the green that you have to stand 20y away from someone having a putt. I think these ideas should be actively challenged and ready golf introduced as the best practice.

Spot on

m r c

Just my 2 cents.
I never take more than a few seconds over my tee shots, normally I practice and then my pre shot routine about 12 seconds and hit it. I line my second shot up as I catch up to the ball and usually have my distances worked out as I approach the ball so it takes roughly the same as my tee shots. I probably average 20/25 seconds over putts. If I'm on my own and don't get held up myself I get around 18 in something under 3 hours 2.50 or so. I'd consider myself fast enough but I try to enjoy the game also. That's why I play, I'm never going to play on a pro tour for a living its recreational. I think a lot of people forget that when they are out. Some people think just because they catch you they are entitled to pass even if you are up to the group in front. I have seen people play over my head without being waved through as I'm waiting for a green to clear. That has happened me a few times but I wouldn't let them through. I allow 2.5 hours for nine and 5 hours for 18, if I'm not held up I either have coffee or play on. What's the point in getting stressed, there will be beginners or slow players out sometimes but 99% of the time they are glad to let your group through and not feel under pressure from behind the other 1% might be ass***** but it's there problem IMHO.
But there is the 1% who play like their lives depended on getting through 18 in an hour and they are worse than people who hold you up for sport in my opinion.
As I said just my 2 cents.

whizbang

An extra 10 seconds standing over a shot can make all the difference to me. saves 1-2 mins rooting in the rough.
+1 kph.
other than lost balls, most of the time is lost greenside, -maybe new rules are in order!

irishtoffee

Do you all play singles comps in groups of 4?That is crazy.Singles comps should always be in groups of 3 and if a 2 ball that are playing in the comp are behind you they should be let through end of story.

BoardsMember

The cause of slow play is rarely time over a putt, number of practise swings (within reason!), or time taken with pre shot routine. If you apply common sense to what you do between shots, i.e. some/all of the following, when it is not your turn to play, you will not be slow

• leave your clubs between the hole and the path to the next tee box
• line your putts up as soon as you arrive on green
• work out distances/targets as soon as you are at your ball/on the tee
• find your own ball before looking for others
• walk at a reasonable pace between shots
• mark your card on the next tee when someone else is teeing it up
• on the 18th dont all stand there marking your cards having held someone for most of the round, get off the course!!

:

If you implement the above it should add to your enjoyment, and allow you as much time as you need for your practise swings, preshot routine etc etc.

BraveDonut

What really pi$$es me off is when you are in a fourball and realise that you are losing ground to the group in front and the group behind is starting to pressure......
I would usually say "Come on lads, we need to pick it up!" - only to be completely ignored.
Then spending the rest of the round walking 50 yards ahead of my group trying to will them to go faster

Anatom

BraveDonut wrote: »

Then spending the rest of the round walking 50 yards ahead of my group trying to will them to go faster

Oh, thanks! I thought I was the only one who did that!!! I do hate slow play, but I equally hate being run around the course, as does happen with one person I sometimes play with.

The trick is to strike a balance. Some days you go out in a four-ball competition and you know beforehand that you're not going to be doing a three-hour round, so you adjust to it and relax. However, the other side of that is that the five-plus hours it can sometimes take when there are people just sloping along, and not caring about who's behind them, can really put you off the game entirely.

slave1

I'm looking out the window from work today and would gladly be stuck in the middle of a 5 hour round right now with no complaints:(

jackal

Have been the victim of these idiots who think that anything over a 3 hour round is heresy. Bunch of older members who shot up behind us and we let through at the earliest opportunity, they were spitting bile and cursing us for holding them up. They had appeared on the tee of the par 3 when we were finishing up on the green, and on the next hole we teed off and walked to our balls and stepped off the fairway when we saw they were finished the par 3 and were ready to tee off. We found out in the clubhouse that they are notorious dickheads for this, so their problem, not ours. We laughed at them after but it was unnerving how angry they were! Its only a game.

I have also been part of a group with one or more slow players in it who just do not listen when you ask them to speed up, its very frustrating when you know *your* group is holding people up.

Can't stand the time that's wasted around greens with the etiquette and people standing doing nothing until its their turn to play, then taking 2 minutes with their lining up and getting onto their knees and marking and polishing and 10 practice swipes. Do they need an audience like?

Another thing that can cause problems, probably only with high handicappers, is the "Ah sure I am sure I will find it" merchants who consistently hit wild shots off the tee that you know are never to be seen again. "Are you sure you don't want to hit a provisional there?" "No I saw it land..." 10 minutes of fruitless searching later... "Eh should I go back from the tee or drop one from here, sure its only a friendly game"...