Pick Up The Pace
Loewenstein said . “ We designate a couple tee times throughout the morning where we do not send people off as a way to let the course space out .”
McNamara says that he has seen several causes that can hinder the pace of play including insufficient real estate for long ball hitters . Often though , slow play can depend on the players .
“ One player can create delays and it becomes an accordion effect after that . And with a ball going really far there ’ s not a course in Virginia where you don ’ t have these episodes . Fast green speeds create problems of their own , but some days it is just who is playing on what day and how many ,” McNamara said .
FROM THE GROUND UP Dodson maintains that there are steps greenskeepers can take to make courses more playable . “ Keeping hazards trimmed to speed ball searching advances play . So does slowing green speeds , but not to the point where players only want tournament conditions . More friendly pins on high-round days , tee markers more up front , shorter rough , and some local rule drop areas marked with consent helps move play as well . Save tucking pins in tough locations on normal days of play for tournaments or matches ,” he said .
ILLUSTRATION BY DAN PAGE
Architect ’ s View
“ Course design , routing , and period built influence pace of play . Most pre-1970 ’ s courses have only two or three teeing grounds with yardages too long for slower clubhead speed players . To improve the facilities for contemporary golfers many owners and operators retain a golf course architect to masterplan existing courses . The results may mean widening fairways / landing areas , creating additional tees , offering better angles of play , landscaping that includes removal or relocation of bunkers and / or cart paths . Golf course architects can influence pace of play , but it is up to owners and operators to engage one who can help them with both the design and construction processes .”
– Jan Bel Jan , second female president of American Society of Golf Course Architects
THE PROS ’ VIEW While public course players insist that the slowest players are the ones immediately ahead of them , Country Club of Virginia ’ s director of golf Warren West has his own checklist of slow play contributors . Number one is golfers playing the wrong set of tees . “ I watch it all day long . Many should move up one or two tees and enjoy the game more . Approach shots to greens with hybrids or fairway woods are hard to hit ,” he said . Other issues include :
• Amateurs imitating professionals on TV .
• Looking at putts from four angles , use of Aimpoint , and putting out everything .
• Golfer and cart mismanagement .
• Golfers not playing ready golf . Hit your shot and start moving towards the greens as the others play . Your cart partner can pick you up once they hit their shot . Golf carts slow play if the
20 V IRGINIA G OLFER | J ULY / A UGUST 2023 vsga . org