slow play
Making quick work of slow play
(from the inside and out)
S
low play has become a major issue in the golfing industry, and it represents a
significant threat to the long-term health of the game. With five-hour rounds becoming
the norm, golfers are abandoning the game in droves, and new players are hesitant to
start out.
This month, we present a complete “Inside and Out” strategy to tackle slow play, both from a
course management (“inside”) perspective, and a player/member (“outside”) perspective.
“OUTSIDE” - Quick tips FOR THE PLAYER
Richard Fellner
[email protected]
Here are some of the more game-speeding
rules of course etiquette for players:
Watch ALL balls until they stop
Searching for lost balls is one of the most
time-consuming aspects of the game. After
every shot keep an eye on the ball (yours
and your playing partners’) until it comes
to rest—even if it is in the fairway. If it has
wandered into the deep rough or trees/
bushes, identify a marker or reference – a
specific tree, bush, distant house…anything.
As you leave the tee, keep a line of sight onto
that marker.
Hit a provisional
If there is even the slightest chance that a
wayward ball could go walkabout, play a
provisional — resist the rarely-accurate urge
to say “Nah, we’ll probably find it.”
If it’s lost, it’s lost
When your five minutes is up, it’s up.
Declare it lost and move on. (You DID play a
provisional on the tee, right?)
Do your pre-shot stuff BEFORE it’s your
turn
Get prepared for your shot while riding or
walking to your ball. Get the distance, check
the wind, do a pre-shot routine ahead of time
(while others are playing their shot) so that
you’re ready to go IMMEDIATELY after your
playing partner’s ball has finished moving.
(Don’t use the PGA TOUR professionals as
a guide here, as they are often the worst
offenders.)
Play “Ready Golf”
Unless you are playing in a major
competition or in a matchplay scenario, play
“ready golf” at every opportunity. If a player
in your group isn’t ready to hit, then (with
their permission) play your shot. If a player in
your group cannot hit the ball far, and isn’t in
danger of hitting into the group ahead, then
let them hit first while the “longer” hitters
wait for the fairway to clear. When on or
around the green, if a player is delayed (i.e.
raking a bunker, etc) and you are ready to
putt, then (with permission) have a go.
Go directly to your ball
Move quickly to your own ball. Avoid
travelling in a group from one ball to the
other. When sharing a cart, drop off one
player and then proceed to your own ball
while he/she does their pre-shot routine.
Take Multiple Clubs
If you need to leave your bag/buggy/cart
away from where your ball is positioned, take
a couple of clubs with you. This will save you
from having to go back and forth. If you are
hitting from a greenside bunker, for example,
then take both your wedge AND your putter.
Know the distance
A recent study has shown that GPS units and
Laser rangefinders speed up play. If possible,
invest in one of these devices. Alternately,
get a course yardage book, or look out
for sprinkler heads/yard-markers as you
approach the ball (not after you get there.)
Keep the conversations in the carts
Save the jokes/stories until after everyone
has hit off, and you are walking/driving to the
next shot. Too often, we see people engaged
in conversation with a wide open green or
fairway ahead.
Al