players do not position themselves properly while others are hitting or are not ready to swing when it ’ s their turn .
• Failing to read the green when the others are putting .
• Not taking several clubs when it ’ s cart path only . West is in the 10-12 minute camp . “ It ’ s not possible for a group to play a par 3 in 8 minutes if that is the tee time interval ,” he said . players through their 35,000 annual rounds . E-Z-Go carts with GPS “ make communication between guests , the shop and the staff pretty straightforward ,” Strand said . “ It is easy to communicate with any guest regarding pace of play , food ordering or anything . GPS allows messages to one , or all golf carts , or to an on-file phone . We can see where every cart is on the course based on start time . Customer response has been huge . It ’ s
“... the most effective way
of controlling slow play is a well-defined and continuously articulated club culture against it .
“ One of the main issues we experience at Laurel Hill are players choosing the wrong tee box ,” Loewenstein concurred . “ Many will say ‘ I always play one up from the tips .’ At Laurel Hill , our 144 slope from the tips is higher than many public courses in the area . Making sure players understand their appropriate tee has helped . We are also working on signage on the first tee to address this issue .”
ENFORCEMENT Golf course employees and players have different takes on the use of marshals and rangers . “ No one thinks you can solve the problem with rangers , checkpoints , etc . They just make golfers mad , which is not the idea ,” Fisher said .
“ They might politically appear to fix the problem , but most times they do not ,” McNamara agreed . “ There is nothing a ranger can do . It ’ s a waste of money because of the randomness of the groups . A ranger can ’ t fix that . Yes , forecaddies can help , but they are expensive .”
NEW AGE In April , Reston National acquired a course-wide GPS system to help move
“ night and day when you are sitting in a nice clean , souped-up golf cart . The whole day is better .”
“ Staff training is a big part of it ,” he continued . “ It starts with the shop , then communicating with the staff and passing messages on to guests preparing them for the day — how long play should take , how to operate the carts , troublesome areas and so on .”
GREAT EXPECTATIONS “ Probably the most effective way of controlling slow play is a well-defined and continuously articulated club culture against it ,” Fisher said . “ This isn ’ t just complaining about a slow group , but actively promoting a more efficient dance around the course . Member to member , golf pro to group lessons ( especially juniors ), helping groups go through with an explanation of the time element .”
“ Make it a common expectation to finish in four hours or less . These efficiencies can be taught , but they must be inculcated into the club culture ,” the veteran superintendent said .
Once passed to the player , hopefully the efficiencies can be taken to heart .
Dead Solid Perfect Advice
Player behavior / mindset has a huge impact on pace of play . We counsel groups to play each hole at least one minute faster . That can be something as simple as walking a little faster or playing ready golf . This doesn ’ t seem like much , but over the course of a round it will save up to 20 + minutes .
In 2019 , the Rules of Golf were changed to speed things up , i . e .:
❑ Ball search time reduced from five to three minutes
❑ Recommendation of a 40-second shot clock for address and execution
❑ Institution of max score , double bogey max , etc .
❑ Encouragement of ready golf versus furthest from hole play
❑ Flexibility concerning penalty area definition
❑ Addition of new local rules regarding lost / out of bounds balls
– Josh Coates , VSGA Director , Championships and Golf Operations .
vsga . org J ULY / A UGUST 2023 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 21