Need For Speed

You may have noticed the Club's slow play policy during events for this year.  Slow play has been an increasing issue not only here but at all courses.  Here is a great article by Tim Moraghan from Golf Course Industry Magazine in April regarding slow play (link to full article).  I have copied the recommendations for golfers:

At the USGA’s annual meeting a few months ago, it was announced that it will begin addressing pace of play, not only in their own events (good luck with that!), but down at our level, too. Along with many new programs to educate golfers (watch for another scintillating series of advertisements), the USGA said the Green Section will work with clubs to find ways to prepare courses to encourage faster play.

Hold on a second. I take a back seat to no one in my distaste for slow play. I’ll support any good ideas that tackle the problem and will offer some down below. But you and I and everyone else with a pulse know where slow play is worst: On the pro tours, which we watch every week on television.

PGA and LPGA Tour players are so methodical and deliberate, it’s painful to watch. Yet, we copy them.

Most of us have neither the ability nor the reason to spend 60 seconds lining up a two-foot putt. I don’t think the pros really do either, but they do and likely will continue to. So I’d like to propose that the pros stand up and say, “Don’t play like us. When you are ready to play, play. You’re not playing for thousands of dollars, this isn’t your livelihood, it’s supposed to be fun. So please, don’t copy us, but play faster.”

It won’t happen, but it’d be a start.

As for the USGA attempting to tackle this disease, I’d hope our national governing body has more important issues than how fast the 20-handicapper is playing. But if we agree slow play sucks, I suggest we help in this endeavor.

Here are some suggestions to superintendents, architects and golfers on how they can speed up the game.

For Golfers

• Play “ready golf.” Hit it, find it, and hit it again
• If someone in your group is slow, tell him. And don’t perpetuate his slowness by waiting: When you’re ready to hit, hit!
• Get off your cell phone
• Practice on the range, not the course. And those five practice swings before each shot don’t help
• Mulligans? Extra shots through the green? Certainly not if anyone is waiting. And even if they’re not waiting. Don’t
• When it comes to choosing which tees to play, leave your ego in the car and play to your skill level. And even then, “playing it forward” is always a smart idea
• If you must use a rangefinder or GPS, do it quickly and appropriately: It doesn’t help on a shot less than 60 yards
• Plumb-bobbing and walking around the hole checking the breaks isn’t necessary to make your two-footer for a 7
• Rake footprints when leaving a bunker
• Fix ball marks on the green
• Park your cart or place your bag or trolley on the side of the green closest to the next tee
• Be honest with yourself. Know and accept your limitations. You’ll play better and have more fun
• Understand the biggest reason for slow play among us 20 handicappers is the $5.00 golf ball

If we all do our part, the USGA can concentrate on its core competencies: the Rules of Golf, conducting national championships, and causing/settling equipment controversies.