Call Through Holes

thewobbler

Just back from Spain where I played Los Naranjos.

For the first time in my life I encountered "Call Through Holes" - par 3 holes where once you get on the green, you mark your ball and call the next group to hit their approaches.

For the life of me I can't work out how this helps the pace of play. You still have to hit the same number of shots, and it (on this evidence) did little but slow everyone down for a bit of crack, which led to backlogs on the next tee.

One of the holes was 17, which made even less sense.

Someone tell me I'm wrong?

alxmorgan

thewobbler wrote: »

Just back from Spain where I played Los Naranjos.

For the first time in my life I encountered "Call Through Holes" - par 3 holes where once you get on the green, you mark your ball and call the next group to hit their approaches.

For the life of me I can't work out how this helps the pace of play. You still have to hit the same number of shots, and it (on this evidence) did little but slow everyone down for a bit of crack, which led to backlogs on the next tee.

One of the holes was 17, which made even less sense.

Someone tell me I'm wrong?

I've seen them but assumed they were recommendations from the club as to where it would make sense to call someone through if required - not that you would do it all the time regardless

golfnut1 should know as he plays out of Portumna and they have at least one (at least I think he does and it has )

newport2

thewobbler wrote: »

Just back from Spain where I played Los Naranjos.

For the first time in my life I encountered "Call Through Holes" - par 3 holes where once you get on the green, you mark your ball and call the next group to hit their approaches.

For the life of me I can't work out how this helps the pace of play. You still have to hit the same number of shots, and it (on this evidence) did little but slow everyone down for a bit of crack, which led to backlogs on the next tee.

One of the holes was 17, which made even less sense.

Someone tell me I'm wrong?

The only sense I can see in them is that if you've been holding up the group behind you and they arrive alongside the green while you're still putting out, the pressure is kind of on to let them play through! They will probably be at the next tee-box before you tee off too

The_Architect

In theory it speeds up play.

Par-3's are the biggest pinch points on golf courses. On average they take about 12 mins to play, whereas getting out of driving distance on par-4's and par-5's takes about 8-9 mins.

If you have a particulary long par-3 with a lot of trouble, it takes longer. If management want to set the tee-times (from the first) at 10 minutes apart, this gap can't be held if every group waits on par-3's for 13-14 mins. Therefore slow rounds, therefore less revenue.

cackhanded

I can think of at least two - 5th in Portumna and 7th in Dromoland - though I've rarely if ever witnessed any group following the instruction on the sign. What's supposed to happen is that the first group finishes out the hole while the second group walks from tee to green. They obviously don't factor in the boys who have an elaborate pre-putt routine - rub chin, scratch arse, lie flat on green, check alignment of stars etc.

Works brilliantly in theory but can't say I've ever seen it work out on the course.

golfnut1

alxmorgan wrote: »

thewobbler wrote: »

Just back from Spain where I played Los Naranjos.

For the first time in my life I encountered "Call Through Holes" - par 3 holes where once you get on the green, you mark your ball and call the next group to hit their approaches.

For the life of me I can't work out how this helps the pace of play. You still have to hit the same number of shots, and it (on this evidence) did little but slow everyone down for a bit of crack, which led to backlogs on the next tee.

One of the holes was 17, which made even less sense.

Someone tell me I'm wrong?

I've seen them but assumed they were recommendations from the club as to where it would make sense to call someone through if required - not that you would do it all the time regardless

golfnut1 should know as he plays out of Portumna and they have at least one (at least I think he does and it has )

Yeah your right alxmorgan portumna have 2 call through holes. The 5th and 10th. Both are long par 3s. If your in a 4ball on those holes chances are one of you will be looking for a ball. So while your searching the group ahead is playing out. It can speed up play but to be honest members don't always use this system.