High handicappers and the amount of time to hit different shots

[zeg]

A couple comments from a high handicapper... when I'm having a bad day, I tend to skip on the putting like the people you describe. As was mentioned above, after getting on in 6 it's just not worth it to line up carefully to save triple bogey. It's also a time to save a little time to make up for the extra strokes earlier. I don't understand taking so long on the tee shots, though. I know it's tempting, but I find the longer I think about it the more I spook myself. If I'm upset after a bad hole, I may take a minute to calm myself before starting, but then it's just tee it up, aim, and go.

One thing that I find hard to handle pace-wise is when I'm waiting for a group ahead. I'm not a long hitter, and I'm not terribly consistent, but I vary wildly in my results on a given day, or even shot-to-shot on some days. Last time I was out, I found I had to wait on a group that was just in range on longer shots. True to the joke, I had to choose between hurrying up and hitting in to them or waiting and then shanking it 20 yards. I generally opt to wait because IMO it's better to take slightly slower safe play over the risk of hitting one like I do on the range and reaching a populated green on the fly. I mention this because if you watched me as the group behind, you might think I was being stupid--it was a bad day so things would clear up and then I'd take three more strokes to get to the green. However, it wasn't a real hold up because I'd get to wait on the group at the next hole anyway.

[chilly]

I'd agree that people that are just starting are going to take much longer off the tee or fairway. They're generally a bit uncomfortable standing over the shot, and it has more risk then a putt (in general).

I can handle playing behind anyone, no matter how bad, as long as they are playing smart golf (walking to ball with multiple clubs if in between clubs, dropping partner off instead of driving to each ball, etc).

[right handed phil mickelson]

Hey everyone, so here's the deal. I haven't been on here in a while, and I come on to find that this post is put up under my profile. The post and responses to you and others doesn't sound like me at all. Well, that's because it's not me. It's my retarded brother who went on here to see what its like and I never watched him lol. He's 20 and works at a golf course so he knows some stuff about golf, but apparently hates high handicappers . I just want to clear up that that wasn't me, and I hate things like that making me look bad. I play with high handicappers all the time and love em. They're hilarious lol. I have no vendetta against them and would just like to say that. I've changed my pass so he won't be bothering this forum anymore. Just wanted to clear that up. Sorry everyone :-/

[DaSportsGuy]

Hey everyone, so here's the deal. I haven't been on here in a while, and I come on to find that this post is put up under my profile. The post and responses to you and others doesn't sound like me at all. Well, that's because it's not me. It's my retarded brother who went on here to see what its like and I never watched him lol. He's 20 and works at a golf course so he knows some stuff about golf, but apparently hates high handicappers . I just want to clear up that that wasn't me, and I hate things like that making me look bad. I play with high handicappers all the time and love em. They're hilarious lol. I have no vendetta against them and would just like to say that. I've changed my pass so he won't be bothering this forum anymore. Just wanted to clear that up. Sorry everyone :-/

Be careful when you check that "Remember Me" box...

[TidePride50]

A couple comments from a high handicapper... when I'm having a bad day, I tend to skip on the putting like the people you describe. As was mentioned above, after getting on in 6 it's just not worth it to line up carefully to save triple bogey. It's also a time to save a little time to make up for the extra strokes earlier. I don't understand taking so long on the tee shots, though. I know it's tempting, but I find the longer I think about it the more I spook myself. If I'm upset after a bad hole, I may take a minute to calm myself before starting, but then it's just tee it up, aim, and go.

This is how I feel as well. If anything, I hurry up rather than slow down. Maybe I should try slowing down, it sure won't hurt my score any worse. LOL.

[Boyder]

This is how I feel as well. If anything, I hurry up rather than slow down. Maybe I should try slowing down, it sure won't hurt my score any worse. LOL.

Yep ... this describes me as well. I feel lucky tho, as I play much of my golf on courses and/or days when few others are there to push me. If I have no pressure, I like to take my time and maybe play 2 or even 3 balls per hole ... it's the best practice at the game I can think of. I found myself in this situation many times this past fall. Especially if you are willing to get out there when the weather is "less than ideal" or during non-peak hours, you can occasionally have the course pretty much all to yourself ...

[KyGolfer1988]

Just my two cents here. Golf is a game of recreation. Not everyone who golfs is on tour. People who take time aren't a problem. If I'm behind somebody who looks uncomfortable or as if they need a tip or two I'm more than glad to help them out. I don't have a membership to a nice fancy club, I play on a PUBLIC course, which means you're allowed play whether your HC is 5 or whether it's 50. If you want to whine and cry about people taking time on the tee or fairway or green then join a club that only allows certain HC's or whatever their criteria may be. It kind of bothers me in such a gentlemans game there are people like you ranting about someone taking their time. So what?! When you first started did you shoot -10 in your first 10-20 rounds of golf? I highly doubt it. You may get pissed at THIS rant but I frankly don't care. IF this was a private club then it's your responsibility to notify the clubhouse or the ranger to come out and speed them along. My suggestion to you is to sell your clubs and your golf equipment if you think every time you hit the links you're going to be the lowest HC and that no one else will be in front of you playing a hole in 3 minutes. Again, just my two cents.

[ET-Taylor]

I am a high handicapper and i take a sensible amount of time per shot like i dont take 3 days to take a shot i take two practise swings line up hit it then i take more time over putts and i hold noone up infact i would say i get held up more by mid-low handicaps

[walk18]

Just my two cents here. Golf is a game of recreation. Not everyone who golfs is on tour. People who take time aren't a problem. If I'm behind somebody who looks uncomfortable or as if they need a tip or two I'm more than glad to help them out. I don't have a membership to a nice fancy club, I play on a PUBLIC course, which means you're allowed play whether your HC is 5 or whether it's 50. If you want to whine and cry about people taking time on the tee or fairway or green then join a club that only allows certain HC's or whatever their criteria may be. It kind of bothers me in such a gentlemans game there are people like you ranting about someone taking their time. So what?! When you first started did you shoot -10 in your first 10-20 rounds of golf? I highly doubt it. You may get pissed at THIS rant but I frankly don't care. IF this was a private club then it's your responsibility to notify the clubhouse or the ranger to come out and speed them along. My suggestion to you is to sell your clubs and your golf equipment if you think every time you hit the links you're going to be the lowest HC and that no one else will be in front of you playing a hole in 3 minutes. Again, just my two cents.

golfers have the right to a reasonably paced round regardless of whether the course is public or private. It's what makes the game enjoyable for everyone. Ability has nothing to do with playing at a decent pace either.

[murphmjm]

I play with a couple of pretty high handicaps and most of the time if they take a good amt of shots getting to the green they are so discouraged by the time they get there they don't even feel like putting. Also when a group is behind us they feel obligated to keep up the pace of play and when your hitting 7 shots to get to the green it makes them feel like they are holding everyone up. I guess its more mental than anything, but by about the 5th hole the beers make everything better and they end up taking more time to putt. We do play on a small public course though so most of the time the pace is kinda slow, which allows them to not worry as much.

[KyGolfer1988]

golfers have the right to a reasonably paced round regardless of whether the course is public or private. It's what makes the game enjoyable for everyone. Ability has nothing to do with playing at a decent pace either.

So, you're saying golfing is a right? Golfing is not a RIGHT, it's a privilege, alot of golfers I've met should be thankful for that. And no it's not what makes the game enjoyable for EVERYONE, everyone is different everyone plays at a different pace. Ok, granted someone is taking an hour on one hole, that's pretty rediculous but to take 10 or even 15 minutes shouldn't be a problem, if you can hit the fairway while the group in front of you is on the green then what's the problem? If you can hit the FW from the tee, walk back to your cart wipe your club off get in the cart and drive to your ball that should be plenty of time. I'm not trying to grind anybodys gears here, but c'mon. Why even hit the links if you're in a hurry? You can't work on your game in a hurry? IMO you can't have fun if you're in a hurry. So what's the point? Also, if you're saying that there is no difference in playing between a public and private course I really dont' see how you can say that. At my home public course it takes about 2 1/2-3 1/2 hours to play 18 at the private as a guest I'll usually play 18 in about 2 hours. If a High HC wants to lower their HC how can they do it in their backyard? They have to find a course somewhere to practice. And usually they won't be the only one on the course. Just one of the things we have to deal with. Ability has a lot to do with a decent pace. As mentioned in the former. A low HC is going to play quicker because he/she knows the ins and outs of their game where as a high HC does not, so why shouldn't he/she be allowed to take a little extra time to tweak it just a bit and try it with an extra ball or two if they're in front far enough? Again, just my two cents. Or maybe it's up to three or four cents by now..

[zeg]

At my home public course it takes about 2 1/2-3 1/2 hours to play 18 at the private as a guest I'll usually play 18 in about 2 hours. If a High HC wants to lower their HC how can they do it in their backyard?

I don't think anyone here would have the slightest problem with a 2 1/2-3 1/2 hour round. But, using numbers you mention earlier, 10-15 minutes per hole is 3-4 1/2 hours, so that's already slower than that.

If a high HC (like me!) wants to play a second ball or practice on the course, great, if the course is ~ empty and they're not holding anyone up. But when you pay for a round of golf, you're paying for a round of golf. That is well-defined by the rules as one ball. If you want more than that, you're imposing on those around you if you're interfering with their round. Plus, most of the courses I play have well-publicized standards for pace of play, so the whole debate about what "should" be is moot. And sure, ability will have some impact on pace, but it shouldn't be a major impact---most of the time on the course is just the walking. Still, someone with a few extra swings on each hole will add some time, but they don't have the right to slow everyone down beyond playing their round. Playing an extra ball (or TWO!?) during crowded conditions just is not acceptable. And I say this as someone who needs all the practice he can get.

[KyGolfer1988]

I don't think anyone here would have the slightest problem with a 2 1/2-3 1/2 hour round. But, using numbers you mention earlier, 10-15 minutes per hole is 3-4 1/2 hours, so that's already slower than that.

I was just roughly guessing at the numbers off the top of my head while sitting up with insomnia. But anyways, like I said, not trying to rustle any feathers, just saying, how is someone going to get a little experience if no one is willing to give them a chance. And as popular as the sport is today it's going to be hard to find a course with 5 or 6 people spread out over the entire course. Unless you go when there is snow on the ground, there is a torrential downpour, or the course is closed and you break in. That's all I'm saying. Of course, even I would be bothered if someone is taking upwards of 20 minutes to shoot one shot but for just a minute or so to think and line up the shot. What's wrong with that? I'm not trying to come out victorious in this battle of time and whatever else it may be about just expressing opinion.

[BottleRocket]

I'm a high handicapper but am usually very aware of the pace. Mostly because I find that taking too long to swing generally makes my shot worse. "Thinking" over the ball is usually pretty deadly for me. So are the few occasions when I'm waiting for the group ahead to get off the green. One of my better shots is a 190-yd 5-wood to the green... I can often manage to nail it straight and true. But NEVER when we have to wait 5 minutes for the group ahead. Shank city. I often play with other guys with similar abilities and it does drive me a little crazy at how slow they can be. I want to keep it moving, get up and swing. But some of these guys insist on a whole lineup thing, multiple practice swings, a super-long address. Once on a big trip to Myrtle Beach, I was playing with a former college classmate that I had never played with before. Guy was worse than me. Averaged about 4 practice swings per shot. On one par-3, I think we counted 9 practice swings, my buddy and I were looking at each other like what the hell? Finally he steps up and actually hits a beauty, about 8 feet from the pin. My buddy calmly says, "practice makes perfect..." and this dude just turns at him and goes "whaddya mean?" He was completely oblivious to how long he was taking. I had to bite my lip I was about to burst out laughing...