I agree that
no
golfer should be forced to endure a six hour round, but it is almost equally annoying for a foursome of mid-handicappers (12-20) to be pushed through any semi-challenging 18 hole the course in four hours. I happen to enjoy the game for relaxation and the opportunity to "get away from it all" for a few hours. I'm a 14 handicap, and there's absolutely
nothing
relaxing about trying to keep up the pace of a four hour round if there's any danger to be found anywhere on the course. It's a race from start to finish, and the game's founders surely didn't intend it to be that way.
The average, and even slightly above average golfer simply can't be expected to keep that pace. Not all of their (our?) shots are splitting the fairway, and (dare I say) once in awhile an 8 hits the card! The reality is that it's not all that uncommon for one to have to look for ball in the rough (if the course has one, as the courses I play do).
I agree with Eric in that 6-8 minute tee slots place too many golfers in a position of waiting the very minute somebody puts one in the rough, or takes two from the trap and a three putt to get home. A little more room would help take the pressure off each and every shot.
In the end, if you're looking for your shot 15 yards in the woods...drop one and get on with it - you're holding everyone up. If your plumb-bobbing a 10 footer for double bogey, just putt it...your holding everyone up. But equally as bad, if your playing a public course on a Saturday or Sunday morning and didn't give yourself enough time to make your brunch date with Buffy four hours and 15 minutes after tee-off, get off my back. It's your own fault, and
you're
ruining
my
round!
