How do you cope with slow play?

[Fourputt]

I just don't worry about it. Sometimes the course plays fast, sometimes it doesn't. I'm a pretty fast player, but I've learned to take what comes with equanimity. Usually I'll just joke around with the guys I'm playing with, maybe chip balls at the tee markers when I'm waiting on the tee. I often play with strangers, and since I usually just show up at the course on a weekday without a reservation, I just slip in wherever there is an opening for a single. I almost always enjoy the company of whomever I get paired with, so I just enjoy the day in the company of other golfers.

It also helps to be retired and not usually in a hurry to be anywhere.

[SteelDriver]

I guess its just life out in Cali. Almost every muni course will take you upwards to 5 hrs for a round. Its ridiculous. How do you guys cope with this?

you think this might have anything to do with it??

[Finn07]

It depends on the type of slow play. I know your thinking there is just one type but let me explain. What I mean is if the slow play is because the course is crowded then I dont really mind it because there is really nothing that can be done. But sometimes I have noticed that the slow play is due to the groups in front of me fishing for balls that arent theirs out of lakes and walking along the woods line to see if they can find balls, that pisses me off.

However, I dont hit into them or anything like that, but if I can catch them on a teebox or at the turn I will definitely ask them if I can play through. Ive never had a problem. Plus I only play golf during the week so I rarely encounter this.

[nykfan4life]

I just use the extra time to practice on the green while waiting.

[pjsnyc]

Smoke a cigaweed cigarette

[JaY_B]

If slow play annoys you, are you playing golf for the wrong reasons??

[ERC7.5]

I don't mind, it gives me more time to drink.

HA! good call!

If slow play annoys you, are you playing golf for the wrong reasons??

There are wrong reasons to golf?!

[JaY_B]

HA! good call!

Is the whole point of golf not to socialise, enjoy the weather (admittedly not applicable at the moment) and relax?? complaining about slow play goes against everything, golf should not be rush rush rush.

[ERC7.5]

Is the whole point of golf not to socialise, enjoy the weather (admittedly not applicable at the moment) and relax?? complaining about slow play goes against everything, golf should not be rush rush rush.

Different strokes for different folks....ya know?

Me, I play for enjoyment, exercise, socailizing, weather, etc... Some play for arobic type exercise and prefer high pace of play. Some play to get done (maybe they have somewhere they need to go but wanted to get a quick 9 in). Some are highly competative (with themselves as well as with others) and feel that they can play better at a higher pace of play. Because it's different from your reasoning doesn't make it wrong. To each his/her own as long as he/she is enjoying the game and not causing problems for others.

[JaY_B]

Different strokes for different folks....ya know?

1. It's spelt 'socialising', 'aerobic' and 'competitive'

2. I am competitive, I play county level golf and to be honest slow play is just another challenge. 3. I never said anyone was wrong, but in golf worrying about slow play is only going to effect you negatively. 4. Learn to rise above slow play, and enjoy the game of golf more as a result.

[ERC7.5]

1. It's spelt 'socialising', 'aerobic' and 'competitive'

1. My apologies. (did I spell "My" correctly?)(And yes, I can take a joke.)

2. Fantastic for you. Your parents must be very proud. I never said that you aren't competitive. (I double checked the spelling on that one.) 3. You said "If slow play annoys you, are you playing golf for the wrong reasons??". Which led to my post. If you would have said what was quoted above, I would have never made the post that I had made as I agree. (By the way, I think you need a comma in between "golf" & "worrying". I think your other comma may be misplaced as well but I'm not an English major, so.....) 4. Wonderful idea! Or....if you don't feel like rising above slow play....if slow play bothers you....there are many ideas in this thread of how to "entertain" yourself while you are waiting.

[B-17 Pilot]

. . .We were out last Friday and had the frustration of playing behind four guys that not only were not very good, but had no idea about golf course ettiquette. They actually wheeled up their handcarts right onto the green and it was just a nightmare!

So. . .we came up behind them on a par 3 where there was a slight back up. They finished hitting their T shots but their cart was parked about 30 yards behind the T box! One of our foursome got right into their cart and drove the cart right up to them and slammed on the breaks, laying rubber for about 20 feet!! It was hilarious and they had no clue what our guy did it for. . .

You had to be there to appreciate how funny it was.

Mike

[JaY_B]

1. My apologies. (did I spell "My" correctly?)(And yes, I can take a joke.)

Good too see you can take a joke

After all there is no need to fight on this forum, we are all here for the same reason. 1. My was spelt correctly, congratulations. 2. Parents are not really fussed, take me too golf in the morning and pick me up, other than that they're involvement is minimal. 3. I think you saw where I was coming from, golf was never meant to be a quick game and regardless of the speed of play, every golfer has the right to be on the course, so let them enjoy themselves and learn to deal with their pace of play. 4. If you choose not to rise above slow play, you choose too get wound up by it every time you play despite any distraction techniques you may have read on a golf forum.

[Fourputt]

While I prefer to play at a reasonable pace, I view slow play as just another facet of the modern game that one must learn to deal with. Just like bad bounces, bad lies (even in the fairway), and penalty situations. Learning to deal with adversity is just part of playing golf, and anyone who aspires to really play well will find a way to handle slow play along with everything else.

That or he will find the resources to join an exclusive club with limited membership so that he can count on playing an almost empty course.

[lamebums]

I hate slow play.

I deal with slow play by not taking it.

I prefer to play at times when the course isn't nearly as crowded, and I'll usually end up joining a group ahead as a single, or if in my own group, we'll just play at our own pace.

If a crowded and slow day is unavoidable I make damned sure I'm in a three or foursome. Otherwise the day is unbearable. Hit the ball, drive up, wait 10 minutes, hit ball, wait 10 minutes. At least in a foursome there's time taken watching the other guy's shot which is a lot more interesting than watch the duffer up ahead line up his six putts each as if he's on 18 at Augusta needing the putt to force a playoff...

Or worse the guy whose drive went 250 and has 300 yards left to the green...and waits for the green ahead to clear. When it clears he tops his ball perhaps a third of the way there.

[under_par]

I hate slow play more than a poke in the eye.

What sucks the most is when you are on a hot streak and then you find a 4sum that his hacking the ball all over and it just pains me to watch.

What I would do is take out my wedge and work on chip shot of different king around the tee box. I will not look at them as it will just fustrate me more but yes it is part of the game and we just have to adapt.

[Fourputt]

I hate slow play.

If you were playing on my home course, you wouldn't have to worry about playing as a single.... it virtually never happens. From the first tee time in the morning we are usually booked, weekday or weekend doesn't matter. I can sometimes get a single out on the back nine early in the morning for just 9 holes, but once the 18 hole players start to make the turn, even that option is gone.

If you come in as a single you will generally play with another twosome or threesome. I've had days in the starter shack where it took me 2 hours or more to to find a place to get just one single off the wait list.... some days everyone who makes a reservation just keeps showing up. Those days are hard on the walk up golfer, and hard on the starter who they think should just automatically be able to fit them in...

[XSup]

Well, if 90% of all golfers can't break 100, then that means that the slow ones represent most of that group. So I revel in being in the 10% elite and see how many bounces I can get off my wedge....

I guess they paid the same greens fees I did, and at one time I was the slow s.o.b shooting in the 120's.....