On January 4th, 2010
Caroline Colvin Said:
Congratulations to FineGolf on attracting a characteristically sensible comment from a fine sportsman.
On January 4th, 2010
Stewart King Said:
Golfers are easily led and as long as they see the “better” players taking in excess of four hours to play a round, then trying to quicken up play is a hopeless cause.
The lead has to be taken by the governing bodies but they are the ones responsible for the better golfers playing slowly!
The elite golfers are over coached and this leads to the rounds taking well in excess of four hours. Until this problem is addressed, then I hold out little hope.
I was brought up in the age of a round taking no more than three hours and foursomes taking two hours twenty minutes, Yes, I come from a bygone age but at the age of 59, I can still play around a championship course in three hours………..providing I am in the first game out!
Stewart King
Dear Stewart,
Depressingly correct, I suspect.
Lorne
On January 4th, 2010
E Carl Uehlein Said:
Couldn’t agree more. Found that the critical cause of slow play is not being ready to address the ball when your turn comes - golf does not have to be a race - but slow play ruins the enjoyment of both the match and the “walk in the park”.
There is a problem on the Tourist Tour, when someone has paid hundreds to play a course once in his lifetime and wants to get “full value” - but even in this case, judicious use of starting times and two ball and foursome requirements, together with caddy, ranger and of course booking assistance, should keep such from ruining the rounds of locals and regulars.
On January 4th, 2010
Tom Jamieson Said:
I agree that slow play is a curse. I am not convinced that sticking to foursomes is the answer, though - I like to play my own ball all the way round, rather than alternate shots. But a four-ball, paying a matchplay bounce game should be able to get round most courses in well under four hours.
On January 5th, 2010
Joe Pinnington. Said:
We must stop calling proper golf “quick golf” we play normal golf.
Rule one and only one “be ready to play”.
Wonderful Foursomes has suffered by this format being abused in the Ryder cup. This filters through the whole game. At a recent University match they were taking 4 and a half hours! I mean really. Words fail me.
A few weeks ago a 4 ball at Hoylake with two guests (from Trevose) just under 3 hours, not great but acceptable. We were all nearer 70 than 60.
Again one rule “just be ready to play”.
Joe Pinnington.
On January 5th, 2010
christopher sandham Said:
Totally agree with these comments. One of my pet hates are those ordinary golfers who have to seek out distance marks on sprinkler heads and then pace to get right distance before the club is laboriously selected. The new range finders have not improved this habit either.
On January 5th, 2010
Mike Burks Said:
One of the most common causes of slow play is the tradition of ‘honor’ on the tee. Invariably it will cause some delay on almost every tee. In our groups, the first person who is prepared to play has the honor on the tee. In this manner, those who need more time can have it and the quicker players keep things moving.
On January 6th, 2010
Edward Dexter Said:
Great to see so many like-minded golfers. I wish to share one statistic.
Average handicap in the world is 22 (approx). A Four Ball will involve about 400 strokes. If every stroke were made in 10 seconds less time than the current norm, there is a saving of over ONE HOUR.
I have begged the R&A to mount a full scale worldwide campaign using all available media - for instance, graphically comparing the speedy Colin Montgomery with the daft brush of an American Tour player who has a dozen practise swings. What do the R&A do? They produce a turgid video on The Rules where they show how to mark a ball on the green - not once - at least twice and possibly three times. What hope is there??
Edward Dexter
