Slow play in golf is one of the most frustrating parts of the game. Team NCG give us their ideal ways on how they can quicken the game up..
How do you think we should tackle slow play? Let us know in the comment section below!
Mark Townsend: In medal or Stableford not having to wait for someone to have ‘the honour’. I don’t like the phrase ‘ready golf’ but I do like the concept. Just get on with it without having to watch Player A fumble around with his sandwich, ask what you scored on a hole six holes ago and then ask for a tee.
That should save you at least 25 minutes.
And also run a nationwide programme on watching where everyone hits their ball. I’m more staggered at how poor most people are at having any idea of where their playing partners’ ball might be. And then have spend no more than five minutes failing to find the ball.
That should save you another 25 minutes.
Tom Irwin: You can’t and you shouldn’t waste your time trying. It is the same principal as driving your car, if you have enough time other drivers don’t bother you. If you are rushing you think everyone is Driving Miss Daisy behind the wheel. Slow play is not an issue beyond grumbling golfers in the 19th who all think they play faster than each other. Everyone thinks they have the most beautiful wife at home, and no one thinks they are a slow golfer.
The fact that Charles and his regular 4 never take more than 4 hours but Bill and his lot always take 4 and half has absolutely no impact on anything (apart from Bill’s rep) and possibly isn’t even accurate. A focus on ‘slow play’ is golf at its absolute introspective, misunderstanding worst. Making shorter format competition, that automatically take less time, more acceptable and more common is a better idea.
NB by far and away the ‘fastest’ player (s) at my golf club is the WIFE of a Muirfield member and her regular Saturday FEMALE partners – always round in under 3 hours, with no impact on the luncheon arrangements. So stick that in your random opinion generator and see how confused you get.
James Savage: It’s tough when some players want to get round as quickly as possible and others are happy for it to take five hours.
Clubs should make sure they educate their members on when to let others through and explain to beginners about where to leave their bags, hit provisionals, mark cards etc…
But I’d be calling for a ban on fourballs at weekends which would be an easy way of speeding things up.
Dan Murphy: Broadly, everyone moves at the same pace, whether that be fast or slow.
It’s a culture thing at most clubs – either everyone is getting on with it and you just have to go with the flow; or rounds take 4 1/2 to 5 hours and you play at that pace.
It’s hard to change that.
One thing that would help is minimising rough and limiting its length. There’s no place for it and it can easily add half an hour to every round. And those 30 minutes will involve tediously tramping around in long grass, often resulting in wet feet.
How would you tackle slow play? Let us know in the comments below!
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