Slow Play on Greens

JoeCole26

Hi,

I have one friend I usually play with who is particularly slow around the greens. He plays off around 14.

His general slowness ive mentioned to him a few times, not ready for his drive when it comes around, standing around chatting instead of getting ready to hit. On the greens yesterday, I had a word with him about it which of course he didn’t like.

His always marks his ball in between every putt. So he would hit within say 15ft on a par 3, walk up, mark his ball (fine, no problem) then he hits the putt to a foot, and again he marks his ball and waits for the others to play before he will line up the shot, take a practice putt and then hit.

JUST PUTT THE BALL IN!!

Am I over-reacting or is he entitled to take as much time over relative tap-ins. Im guessing he probably is, but so annoying. (think he is doing to now to annoy me!)

PARlance

I'd have an issue with what you've described off the green.
But not the slightest problem with marking one footers. I've rushed a few in comps lately and missed, won't be doing it again and also trying to get in the habit of marking in casual rounds.

If it's a tap in I'll go ahead a finish it. But I've missed a few 1-2 footers by not taking my time recently

Rikand

i mark everything from a foot and over, unless it's for a 6 in which case I'll knock it straight in no matter how far away I am

but i dont like the other slowness you mentioned OP - unless there is something in particular that keeps you from being ready to hit your shot, then you should be ready to hit your shot

FixdePitchmark

I'm not a big fan of over marking, but I have used it myself a bit , not the worst thing.

But - back to the OCD thread , some people get so obsessed with the straight line , they get a bit stuck. It is a bit funny when It is 8 inches. I think when a player is slow in general , every little detail of their game is watched closer than the average player. So , if you are up to pace , I think we all need to be allowed a few quirks. Golf is a big quirk at the end of the day, we all have a way of playing.

After all that - there is a day when slow players need to be told , it is hard and maybe not during the round. It is a hard call, I think I'd only say it to a very close friend. I think. Or, somebody doing something they don't understand or just mental.

I think the intolerant golfer is not a great golfer. I have to try hard not to be an intolerant golfer. The way I play golf is not for everybody.

cgh

the one thing that drives most people crazy is slow play. now if your not holding up the course and he is taking his time to get the line and putts in then i dont really see an issue. I have played many times with folk who do take their time over Putts. It can be irritating but thats golf,
Now if there is a group behind and they are always waiting to play into the green then I'd have an issue with the slow play. But thats just me.

FixdePitchmark

Was playing with a lad during the week. (older gent)

I'll be honest - he was just a bit of a grump.

But , like all grumps , 1 or 2 things he said made a good bit of sense.

He was talking about all the various putting sequences that had come in - "aimpoint" - "standing over ball - like Day" - "lining up logo" - "young pros/amateurs doing all this" , he seen a lad take over 2 minutes when it was all added up, this lad made a 4 putt anyway.

I had a little smile to myself - as about 6 months ago I tried the line on ball at hole, It was basically a time I had the yips and it was a way of changing my routine. It certainly feels like it has worked , with a few other things. I note that some people do this on even less than 2 feet putts (not me)

But was thinking - maybe he is right, your routine can build up, you think you need this thing , then the next thing , then you are a nightmare.


Anyway - his basic point was, a rule should be used - time or sequence rule - he was almost saying , you have to walk up, look from one angle , be allowed one or no practice swing and hit the bleeding thing.

Was funny - but do people agree with him ? Do long putting routines do your head in

mags1962

What riles everybody is slow play but sometimes slow play is the only course of action if the pace of play is slow anyway. If the group you are in is not up with the group in front then you are guilty of slow play and you should move your butt faster. If there are multiple groups ahead of your group, all in their correct place, then you have no choice but to match the pace of play as getting frustrated with the groups ahead is bad for your game. This is when slow players should be reported and then monitored and spoken to if the issue still persists, and maybe even barred from playing at certain times.

Keano

Please don't ressurect old threads.