Feeling rushed on the course

Does it happen to anyone else or is it just me?

Usually I go with my friend who's definitely a better golfer than me, but he doesn't take nearly as much time as I do with a pre-shot routine or lining up putts. His play alone doesn't really make me feel rushed, but when there's people behind us the combination of his play and the feeling that I'm slowing up people behind us gets in my head a bit and I rush myself.

The thing is, I'm pretty positive I'm not slowing down play at all and no one has ever asked us to speed up or anything.

Then there really is no problem, but you just have a bad mind frame/paranoia of it. I used to get that feeling but brushed it off by just realizing that it's your game and you have all rights not to rush yourself in your game. My answer for you, is to do the same and take it off your mind.

When I used to play with my dad he used to tell me that I played really slow. He would yell at me and be like "Brandon, there's people behind us waiting to tee off hurry up."

Guess what? My Dad was the one that was slow. Hes a 21 and I'm a 10. It just took so long to get to my shot that it seemed like it was me playing slow when it was him hacking up the course. I don't play with my dad anymore so problem solved.

Time yourself next time you go out. Under 4 hours is great. 4 is good. 4.5 is pushing it.

I'd have to respectfully disagree with this statement.

Not knowing how "slow" you are, it's hard to say. However, people not worrying about slow they are is one of the reasons it takes 6 hours to play some courses. I'm not suggesting that you need to race to get to your ball, pull the first club out of your bag, and take a rushed swing. Just play courteous golf. If you are already doing that, then relax. I play with a good buddy of mine who just plays TOO $%!$$%# SLOW and couldn't care less. It grates on my nerves to no end. Examples:

• Tells stories while it's his turn to tee off
• Takes 2 practice swings behind the ball, visualizes the shot, takes 2 more practice swings next to the ball, stands over at address for 10 seconds, then hits
• If he hits his ball anywhere near the woods, he thinks its a good time to go Pro V1 hunting (In fact, we've nicknamed him The Wandering Minstral because we never know where the $#%!#$ he is)
• Complains about players in other foursomes taking too long!

I had the feeling of being rushed, that causes me to rush my shots and not concentrate which leads to some terrible play.

I learned something in basketball camp when I was in 9th grade that I feel carries over to golf. Hurry to shoot, but don't hurry your shot. Meaning, do the other stuff quickly like getting to your ball, have a good idea of the club you want to use before you get there, don't use a ridiculously long preshot routine. However, once you are over the ball, it should not be rushed. Way more time is wasted before most players address the ball than when they are actually shooting.

Like BSweet says, if you're at or below 4 hours, don't worry about it. I actually prefer being behind slower people because I feel less rushed. You can always invite people to play through, though if you have to let more than one group through, you are probably taking too much time.

I have that same feeling. Honestly. I am the worst golfer in our group, but I'm just a beginner so I do have an excuse. But, I feel like I'm slowing the group down. The big thing I do is I try to get ready for the next shot as soon as I'm done with the last one. I guess its kind of like reading the menu before you start to chit-chat at a restaurant. Some people don't look at the menu until the waiter arives. As soon as I see where the ball lands, I start thinking about which club can get me where i need to go next.

Also, watch your ball all the way until it stops rolling. Not having to search for your ball saves a TON of time. I know it does me. I used to spend too much time searching for balls, but now that I watch them finish the roll it helps a lot.

But the biggest thing is just to have fun. If you work yourself into a tizzy about it, you'll get to hate the game and you'll end up quitting. Not good. So, just relax and have fun.

Yes what i said was don't feel like you have to rush your game, however yes theres always playing courteous golf when it is obvious your to slow, and if your one of those famous take forever pre shot guys such as your buddy, you need to reconsider your pre shot routine as thats a ridiculous amount of time spent for a golf shot, plus the fact of talking when u should swing at your ball first

I am the exact same way after i see my ball stop from my shot im already visioning where my angle to the green is and what club will serve me best from the judged distance i am at. Great way to save time on the course, and have a better clue of what you can be expecting when you arrive at your ball again.

if as you stated above is true....then your fine and it's in your head, relax and play your game and have fun

I think the maximum amount of time it's taken for me and my friend to play 18 was around 4.5 hours, but that was when the course was absolutely dead one evening early in the season. I mean, there was not another soul on the course, so we took our time and took our time looking for a few balls that ended up in some weeds.

No need to rush your game. If there are faster players waiting on you, simply let them play through.