When is it time to say: ENOUGH! (mini rant)

[golf_junkie27]

Counterpoint (of view): singles have no standing on a golf course, and should yield to any and all matches being played.

Is this a written rule? Why should a golfer be punished for being a single? Would it not be common courtesy, assuming that there is an open hole, for the single to be allowed to play through, if requested?

[iacas]

Is this a written rule? Why should a golfer be punished for being a single? Would it not be common courtesy, assuming that there is an open hole, for the single to be allowed to play through, if requested?

"Common courtesy" would say you let the player through, yes.

But that doesn't change the fact that a single has no standing. Sometimes, a single playing through can muck up the timing of several more players (two foursomes is eight players, after all). For example: http://stanfordgolfcourse.com/policies.htm

Source: URL above A single player has no standing and should give way to a group of players. Any group playing a full round is entitled to pass a player playing a shorter round. If a group fails to keep its place on the course and loses more than one clear hole on the players in front, it must allow the group following to pass.

[Alex B]

The USGA changed their policies on a single player several years ago. From the 2008 Rules of Golf (page 3):

Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the course is determined by a group's pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round. The term group includes a single player.

As for the OP's predicament, I don't have a very good answer: I, a single, got stuck behind a foursome that didn't let me play through last year (on the 2nd tee, no less), and did nothing the whole round. Two guys eventually caught up to and joined me, and foul language was exchanged between the foursome ahead (who were quite slow, even as a foursome) and the two guys. I am a fairly slow player naturally, and play better when playing slow than fast (I tend to rush), so I didn't mind. In fact, my good score went down the tubes when the two guys caught up to me and got involved in the altercation. Probably the best thing to do is to politely ask to play through; if denied, call a ranger, whip out the Rules of Golf if they say that a "single has no standing," or just chill and enjoy the scenery.

[DJYoshi]

"Common courtesy" would say you let the player through, yes.

That's a weird rule. You're right that it's "assumed" a faster-paced player should be allowed to play thru...especially when there's 3 open holes ahead of the group that's slow. But my thing was they didn't even give me a chance to ask. I'd like to think I'm pretty friendly & easy to get along with. It's how I got to where I'm at today..business wise.. but the 2-some blatantly ignored me...not once, not twice, but 4 times. I said excuse me with my hand up like I was back in the 5th grade when I was gonna ask if they'd let me hit up and eventually play thru...they just looked at me...started talking to each other...got in their cart...and then drove about 45 yards to their balls...I kid you not, the balls didn't even make it to the womens or jr tees.

I didn't want to be a di** which is why I didn't even bother calling the clubhouse. Thank God a ranger finally came out to speed up the pace...well they were really telling people with carts how much longer they had to play... then saw that there was nobody until the 18th hole when I was finishing up 14 and they were still on the teebox at 15. that's why my topic was when is it time to say enough... b/c they didn't even give me the opportunity to ask them... they just ignored me...ignored me again...and even when I was standing a good 10 feet behind them trying to be nice and watch the ball b/c the sun was directly in our faces.... they didn't acknowledge my "excuse me guys"... it was like "excuse me guys" (vroooooooom) the vroom being them at full speed on the cart to their next ball.

[meenman]

I was all excited to leave my office yesterday EARLY! All of the papers for the rest of the year's tours & shows have been signed & I thought I'd treat myself to an unexpected twilight round. I get to the course around 5:05,

The easiest way to avoid these situations is not to play twilite. If you want to play a fast 18 play in the morning. It is not worth the few dollars you will save for the aggravation you will get on the course at that time of day. I tried the 5pm thing once - grandpas with grandkids, families of 4 (with the kids being under 8) and others that would be run off of the course on a normal morning.

I am no single digit handicapper and my normal foursome on Saturdays all shoot about the same as me. But the only way we are on the course longer than 3.5 hours is if there is a slower group in front - which does not happen very often when you are the 4th or 5th group to go off.

[tm22721]

Slow play is inherent in difficulty of the sport.

Few have the time or discipline to become competent yet 'tradition' resists the use of modern tools to address the learning curve.