length of time to take a shot vs handicap

[jfrain2004]

I was playing with a few different guys at the wknd in a society outing with handicaps ranging from 3 up to 20, and I think I have figured out the formula that calculates how long on average it takes a person to take a shot. :) The shot routine seems to be proportional to a persons handicap, ie lower handicap then the quicket the person takes the shot. Any one agree?

[Cussin hacker]

No.... I'm a 22 HC and play fast. I don't like slow play. It's clueless players of all skill levels that slow the game down!

[Dub]

I don't know.....I suppose it's a given that most low handicappers are experienced golfers.

Most experienced golfers have picked up efficient habits which speeds up their play.

They are doing certain preshot things for a specific reason.

Many beginners are mimicking what they see the pros do on TV and may not even understand why....it just seems like the things to do.

I guess my theory is to do whatever you need to do in order to make a confident swing....just don't bog down the group with some long and drawn out ritual.

You should have your yardage, shot shape, target....etc pretty much defined in your mind before it's even your turn to hit.

Watch me go out today and be the slowest guy in my group...arghhh.

[brotekind269]

When I play with lower handicapps they take longer than I do. They have to deside on what shot to use, and how to get it closest to the pin, I'm just trying to hit the middle of the green with the only shot I have.. They are reading the breaks and putting to make it, I'm just trying to get it to that 2 foot circle. I guess that is also why I won't be a low handicap.

[jfrain2004]

that could explain it to some degree. When it was the 3 handicapper's shot the ball was in the air before you could say "who's up guys" while with the 20 guy, his practice routine of club selection, allignment, 3 full power practice swings didn't begin till it was his turn. No wonder the poor guy was hardly able to swing the club at the 18th after having taken roughly 60 x 4 full power swings over the course of the round. I can never understand why anyone takes a full power practice swing ??

[Dub]

that could explain it to some degree. When it was the 3 handicapper's shot the ball was in the air before you could say "who's up guys" while with the 20 guy, his practice routine of club selection, allignment,

Yup....you nailed it right there.

I can see full swing practices some days....when you are searching for something....but all day long....every shot......ouch....break out the Advil for everyone.....the swinger and the others guys getting headaches. Lately I've been more prone to taking full speed practice swings on my short pitches, lobs, chips and putts. I'm searching for the right length and feel. I generally am doing this while others are walking to their balls or putting (as long as I'm not audible or in their sight) vs. doing so after addressing the ball.

[tjy355]

I was playing with a few different guys at the wknd in a society outing with handicaps ranging from 3 up to 20, and I think I have figured out the formula that calculates how long on average it takes a person to take a shot. :) The shot routine seems to be proportional to a persons handicap, ie lower handicap then the quicket the person takes the shot. Any one agree?

I do not agree. Some of the slowest players I know are very skilled golfers. Conversely, some of the fastest players I know are total hacks.

[Fourputt]

I was playing with a few different guys at the wknd in a society outing with handicaps ranging from 3 up to 20, and I think I have figured out the formula that calculates how long on average it takes a person to take a shot. :) The shot routine seems to be proportional to a persons handicap, ie lower handicap then the quicket the person takes the shot. Any one agree?

Most of the slowest players in our Men's Club are in the 1st flight. That isn't a hard and fast rule but it is the tendency. I've seen slow players in all skill levels, and I've seen fast players in all levels.

In most of our tournaments the 1st or championship flight are put last so that they don't slow down the entire field. They also seem to get assessed penalties for slow play (the Men's Club has its own pace of play policy, separate from what the course requires) more often than any other flight.

[EightBlue]

I do not agree. Some of the slowest players I know are very skilled golfers. Conversely, some of the fastest players I know are total hacks.

I think there are two main components to slow play-- 1) time over the ball and 2) being ready to hit when it is your turn lots of better players may have longer pre-shot routines but they are usually ready to hit when its their turn. From my perspective the issue with most high handicaps isn't their pre-shot routine, but rather how they are completely oblivious to their surroundings.

[jfrain2004]

Obviously there is no hard in fast rule on this but that has been my observation ... "on average" higher handicap players tend to be slower. Things come to almost a total stand still when a high handicapper shoots the lowest score on a hole. From talking about the birdie he just got to writing it down the clock really starts ticking. I always maintain you should tee off immediately on reaching the next tee box if you have the honor and then mark your card when the next guy is teeing off.

[DJYoshi]

my pre-shot routine is the same after I decide the shot that I want to play based on the lie...where my target is... if there's anything in the way...etc..... but the time I spend to think about what to do is the longest part... unless it's a straight forward shot where i'm 150 out and then it's like oh yeah..ok 8 iron.... but I really find the more engaged in the shot selection that I am.... the better the turnout...

[ArrrrJay]

I try to always be ready as soon as it is my turn, but I am guilty of taking a full practice swing. My biggest issue has been hitting fat or thin shots, so when I take that full practice swing, it's to calibrate the height of my clubface to the ground. Wastes some time, and I do get get exhausted by the end of the day, but when I step up and take my shot without it, I have a high chance of chunking it.

[Shindig]

I've always tried to be ready when it's my turn: at the ball, know which club, etc. However, before I could break 100, I wouldn't take practice swings unless I had time to take one without slowing down (for example, if he group ahead is in the process of putting the pin back, I would take one).

It might mean I'm taking longer, but I've finished rounds recently in close to 3 hours, so it's not like I'm a slow player.

As for the relation, it obviously can't be a hard-and-fast rule. Some folks on tour have had full rounds in under 2 hours (usually when they're first off after making a cut on the number). And then there's Sean O'Hair and Ben Crane.

[sirshanksalot]

Based on my experience, the lower the handicap the faster they play the full swing shots and the slower they play the short game/putts. Vice versa for higher handicap players.

[jaymills13]

Based on my experience, the lower the handicap the faster they play the full swing shots and the slower they play the short game/putts. Vice versa for higher handicap players.

I tend to agree with this.

[schapman]

I tend to go quickly because I figure with my handicap I'm going to be taking more shots than others so I should speed them up to make up the time.