I admit it: I am a fan of slow play...

Honestly, i cannot figure out the obsession with playing a round of golf in 3 hours. I absolutely hate being rushed, and I play so much better when there is no time crunch pressure on me. Why the rush? You paid to play, now relax and enjoy yourself... I'm playing to play, not to add up the score at the end...

I'm not saying i want to slow groups behind me down. I understand if there is a hole open in front of me that i need to keep up or let some groups play through, but if I'm caught up to the group ahead, I don't like to be rushed to hit, or rushed off the green. I would appreciate taking the extra 20 seconds to try that 4 footer i just missed again. I would like to feel like I can complete my pre-shot head-case rituals, even if they take me 30 seconds to complete. But there are times when other members of my group feel uncomfortable doing this, and there are times I've been yelled at or hit into while doing this... and I don't understand that. Its like honking because i wont accelerate into a red light...

Most people dont have a problem with playing a round that may last up to 5 hours, but it is the waiting on every shot that gets annoying. If i played a round where i waited on about 3 shots and all the rest of the time it was smooth sailing and it took 6 hours I would be fine with that. But having to wait for people to not hit until the group ahead of them on the par 5 has reached the green is a a little ridiculous.

(1) It is not an obsession with playing in 3 hours. It is a desire to not need 5 or even 6 hours to play.

(2) It's not all about you. You have to respect those around you. How would you like it if the ultra fast players hit into you ALL the time? Even though they may want to, they refrain because it is disrespectful. Think about how the people behind you (or even in your group) feel every time they are waiting for you on every shot. If you take as much time as you want without caring about those around you, then you are just as disrespectful as the players who hit into the group in front of them. Playing within a certain time is part of the challenge of the game. Football, basketball, and most other sports have time components to them. So does golf. Pro golfers get put "on the clock" if they fail to adhere to the rules regarding pace of play. Respect the rules of the game, respect your fellow golfers. (3) If you have trouble playing within the time because you need more time for your mental game and your pre-shot routine, then that is an area of your game that you need to improve. It's no different than working on your swing. If you are constantly being criticized for slow play, then you need to work on speeding up. Go to the range and practice a shorter pre-shot routine.

Ah yes... it is illegal to enjoy yourself and take your time on the golf course, I forgot

If you like taking time over the ball, get to your ball between shots as fast as you can.

Take your time, but dont play over four hours for no reason. It's truly annoying to be behind people who take extra time over the ball, and between shots.

Definately not an obsession. But I play about 4 times a week. I dont have time to play 5 hours in a day. We finish our foursome each morning in about 3:30. No rushing at all, but playing ready golf is different.

Yes, because that is exactly what I said.

I answered in a polite, respectful, and intelligent manner - and you chose to respond with sarcasm and no rational basis for your opinion. Whether you like it or not, you are not the only person on the planet. Your "enjoyment" does not supersede everyone else's. Everyone else is entitled to enjoy themselves too, and when you or anyone else refuses to recognize that, you (or they) are the problem. We all make concessions and compromises so that we can live together peacefully and take advantage of opportunities like golf courses. Personally, I don't like traffic. But I don't drive on the shoulder and pass everyone else who is waiting their turn. Because if everyone did it, the shoulder would be blocked too. We all have to play by the same rules - whether it's on the road, or on the golf course. Do you like it when someone is driving on the highway at 25 mph, and taking up all the lanes and blocking traffic? Pace of play is a rule just like all of the other rules. If you don't like it, or you are incapable of "enjoying" yourself while still adhering to those rules, then go build your own private golf course. But since you probably don't have that kind of money (who does?), then you have to compromise in order to play where everyone else plays.

When people talk about slow golf, they are talking about 4.5 hours or longer. 3 hours is an exceptionally fast round of golf. Don't know where you got the feeling that anyone is obsessing for a 3 hour round. Golf can be played with enjoyment and without rushing in 4 hours and that should be the target.

It's mostly a simple matter of being aware of the pace of play and being ready to hit when it's your turn. No reason to rush, no need to feel rushed.

Very well said. This should be hanging on the first tee of every golf course.

Thank you for taking the time to pose a list of meaningful and valid counterpoints. let me try to reply to them.

1) I shouldn't have said 3 hours. 3 hours Was meant to apply as an exaggeration in most cases, and is generally not possible, but I feel like most people want to play their round "in as little time as possible". I don't really understand that mentality. I understand not wanting to take 45 min per hole, but a 5 hour round translates to roughly 15 min per hole, which is completely acceptable in my mind. 2) I addressed this when I opened the topic by saying that i understand you can't have an entire vacant hole in front of you, and that allowing people to play through is certainly a good practice. But assuming that I keep up, I don't want any crap from the group behind me. I don't need that stress. And yeah, its not all about me, but its not all about everyone else either. I'll play my game my way. I reject your notion that making people wait is just as bad as constantly hitting into the group ahead. You could 'effin kill someone by hitting into their group. You want to know whats disrespectful? Having people yell "hit the effin ball" 20 seconds after the group ahead cleared the green. Ready golf to me is having your club chosen and being ready to start your routine when its your turn, not addressing the ball and the instant the putting surface is clear starting your swing. On a side note, almost every par five I play is reachable to me. That doesn't mean I'll hit every one, or really even come close, but if i'm 230 out holding 3i, I'm going to wait for the group to get off and out of range, because if i flush one, its gonna make it there. I don't give a damn about the group behind me getting pissy, I wont be pressured into endangering others. And no i wont "just lay up", because my game is length, and I wont be robbed of that. 3) Pace of play isn't really a rule, its more of a guideline, especially in a recreational setting. Nobody is out there putting me on the clock... I determine whats appropriate, not the jerks behind me. Again, I'll let them play through if appropriate. I am completely capable of playing a round of golf in 4 hours, even when taking my time. I guess the points I would most like to make are: 1. When the whole course is slow, there is no reason for people to get pissy because I'm taking my time to play my shots, rather than rushing through the process just to wait 10 min on the next tee box. Its the journey not the destination, so the assertion that the quicker the round is the better it was seems counter intuitive to me. Slow down and enjoy yourself.

Well said.

Hate to point out the obvious, but 15 minutes per hole adds up to 4-1/2 hours,

and that is the extreme end of acceptability on any course I've played. My home course expects 18 holes of golf with a foursome to be competed in no more than 4:20. We have played it in a fivesome in under 4 hours without ever hurrying. It's not about rushing, it's about being ready to go when it's your turn. If you have a slow routine, then start before the previous guy has hit. By the time he has played his ball, you will be ready to play yours. And I don't care how much you want to try the 4 footer again, don't dawdle on the green when you're through. Do your practicing on the putting green, that's what it's there for. There is nothing more irritating to me than watching the the group ahead of me start to walk off the green, then one of them stops to practice while we wait still longer. That IS a good way to get hit into. I can deal with waiting on the tee when the course is playing slow, but waiting in the fairway for someone to just screw around on the green really pisses me off. You don't even consider that while the guys behind you are waiting for your putting tomfoolery, the guys behind them are usually waiting for the fairway to clear so they can tee off. You end up with a compression effect that can impact 5 or 6 (or more) normally paced groups behind you. Just do us all a favor and save the slow play for when the course is uncrowded and there is nobody behind you.

A few minutes per hole really adds up. Think of it this way, if you cut 90 seconds off per hole, you've just finished a 4 hour round instead of a 5 hour round. So why not cut it down to 13.5 minutes per hole?

If you are keeping up, then there is nothing you can do about the pace of play. But you shouldn't be hitting extra shots, practice putts. Besides keeping the group behind you from playing as soon as they can, it's against the rules.

It was an example regarding courtesy, not safety. But you made my point for me - while it's no fun for them to have to wait for you, it's no fun for you to be yelled at. Both are wrong.

Actually, for Ready Golf, you should be done with your practice swings, picking your target, etc. If you are taking 30 seconds or more AFTER you are free to swing, you are taking to much time. I have no problem with going through your immediate pre-shot routine when you are free to hit, but if you are spending 30 seconds or more once you are over the ball, you are in J.B. Holmes and Ben Crane territory.

I have no problem with that, nor should anyone else. (Unless more often than not, your shot actually lands more than 75 yards short. Then you may need to re-asess your judgment. Note: In those last 2 sentence "you" is the global "you", meaning anyone.)

This is where we run into problems. I understand the paragraph before this one, but anytime someone launches into an "I don't give a damn about other people" speech, it tips me off that they may have problems recognizing courtesy toward others - even if they try to limit their venom. I do give a damn about the people behind me, even if they are wrong. I just make sure I am always doing the right thing.

Actually, it is a rule in the pros, and on many courses. I've been to many courses where a Marshall strictly monitors pace of play.

Again, there is the "It's all about me attitude." It's not all about you. Other people's opinions matter. You started a thread called, "I am a fan of slow play" - Either you were trolling for a fight, or you have been accused of slow play more than once.

If you are playing 4 hour rounds, I don't think there is a problem. 4 hours is perfectly acceptable.

And for the record, I don't think I would want to play in less than four hours (unless I was shooting a career round and that is why things are moving so quickly.)

I don't think anyone is going to argue with you on that point. But generally speaking, if you are playing as soon as the fairway or green is clear, you won't be waiting 10 minutes at the next tee. It's like slow traffic - it may be slow, but everyone is moving at the same pace, so the cars keep moving. The problem comes in when someone moves slower than traffic.

And I've never seen a course traffic move at 3-3.5 hour/per round when the course is full.

You are not the only one on the journey. Respect the journey(s) of those around you.

I am an avid golfer. I love to play golf and I play often, I have to to stay at my current level. That being said I have a family that needs my attention and I love to spend time with them as well.

So even though I enjoy being out on the course, I cannot be selfish and take the entire day. So when some jackass that wants to spend 5 minutes lining up every putt and taking 10 practice swings before each shot plays in front of me I get pissed. 4 hours is plenty of time to play 18 holes. I don't expect for someone to play in 3 hours, but I also hope that people realize that time is precious and if you want to be on the course for 6 hours then your cheap ass needs to pay for 27 or 36 holes. Its not Sunday at the Masters dillweed its a two foot putt for no money at a 9 hole muni. Look around, realize where you are, and get the

Therein lies the problem.

The people who play really slow are usually hacks and don't realize they would score better w/o taking 10 practice swings and standing for 30 seconds over a 3 foooter. By playing faster the'll have less time to think about how they are going to F up their next shot and thus play better.
Just step up to the ball w/ 2 practice swings MAX and hit the damn thing!