Re: Pace of Play
I guess I'll qualify the 4.5 hour rounds, cause it seems that number is getting hammered here since I posted. Those of you playing under 3 hours - I'm guessing - have the course to yourselves, perhaps.
Where we golf is a city-municipal course. A range of skill and handicaps abound. The course pushes off foursomes in 8-minute increments and still we back up on a 'normal' Saturday.
What I see as affecting pace of play (where I golf) is this: two guys in a cart drive up to Bob's ball and they both get out; search for a sprinkler head and decide on a club. They both watch as Bob lines up, waggles, sets and duff's it 80 yards. They both admire the shot until it stops rolling - 78, 79, 80!!! - then both head for the cart, drive 60 yards to Jim's ball and the process repeats. On the green all three stand behind Bob as he lines up, putts, misses, marks then the process repeats one-by-one.
When we golf (9,12,14 & 14 hndcp) riding or walking we all scatter to our shots. While one is lining up and addressing, the next guy is beginning the process. Usually before guy #1's ball stops rolling, the 2nd guy has hit - or will soon. No need for 8 eyes on one ball; get ready, go. When we have a clear course or things ahead run smooth we HAVE golfed in over 3 hours - but that's rare on this muni, rare.
Last Saturday we had a 7:20 tee time. We walked off 18 at 11:55. We didn't stop at the turn and don't stop for the beer-gal, but maybe once a nine if it's hot. We shot 76,77,82 and 87.
Slow play can be a function of the place and time you play, but it's also about common sense. No need to ALL watch Bob duff it 80 yards. No need for everyone to watch Jim miss a putt. As far as 'giving' putts; they're gimme's, no brainers, finito putts. They're gonna go in, pick up - let's go. Why does it sound like that 's such a bad thing on here? Pros concede putts, watch the President, the Solhiem and Rider Cup matches.