Dear Golf Course Management

[Teklabz]

I am conscientious about my speed, but I shoot 110-120+ so taking three or 4 shots to reach par 4's and 5's, 2 shots to reach par 3's, I can't help it! I try to move as fast as I can, keep up with the group in front of me etc, but I want to get better too! That'll never happen if I hurry to the point of not practicing correctly, not holing out, hurrying my shots leading to even more bad shots etc. What is a player like me to do? I walk "briskly" between shots and make up my mind about club selection on the way at least!

[Shindig]

Something I've encounter quite a bit recently, I think as a consequnce of slow play, is people hitting into us multiple times during a round. Sometimes this gets resolved peacefully, sometimes with some screaming, wondering how long before someone gets hit by a ball and punches fly. What's after that? Shoot-out in the fairways?

The last time I was hit while playing golf - not into, mind you, but actually hit - was not too far from you. 18th fairway, Alondra Park, July 2007. Good memories of that round, except the obvious.

[WUTiger]

Big Perm said... Group size - this Sunday, at 2pm, our 4some teed off, ready to enjoy a nice 4 hour round. 8 minutes later, a single went off the first tee behind us. 7 minutes later, a 2some went off the first tee. 8 minutes later, a single followed that. Each group wanted to play through. First of all, the 4 of them should have been paired up together. We were following a 4some, and there were plenty in front of us.

Do what the country clubs often do: Post a sign on the first tee which says, "Groups of less than three players have no standing on the course." (Like, don't expect to play through)

[j_moo]

The last time I was hit while playing golf - not into, mind you, but actually hit - was not too far from you. 18th fairway, Alondra Park, July 2007. Good memories of that round, except the obvious.

I live 5 minutes away from that course and haven't played there for over a year because I regularly get hit into there. 18th is especially dangerous because the 9th is right next to it going the same direction.

That and it's cash only, poorly maintained, and the redesign has taken the character out of a few of the most interesting holes. Oh yeah, on multiple occassions I've had people ride into my fairway and taken off with my ball. So I drive about an hour to play further inland.

[spitz20]

OK, I got a little frustrated at some of the things I saw this weekend at the golf course.....and maybe this is just a rant, but I'd like to think that some superintendents/general managers might just follow the forums to get a little feedback from their customers.....and it's always bad form to complain unless you have valid ideas to help improve the situation.....so here we go:

Hah, i played today in Quebec..f'n frenchies....i skipped around two groups of 5 people....literally picked my ball up...ripped by them in the cart to the next tee box...and looked at them like "yea i just did that". haha, ppl make me sick

[tws1098]

Around me their is a course that is pretty well known as the beginners course. You can play all day for like $15-18. Almost everyone lets anyone play through and it allows new or high handicap golfers a chance to practice and develop their pre-shot routine, etc. I did not touch a "good" golf course until I knew I was ready, and I think this is where most people miss the boat. Playing on a course that is too challenging is only going to frustrate the poor player and everyone else that is trying to play a round in a reasonable amount of time. Ultimately it all comes back to golf etiquette.

[Shindig]

Hah, i played today in Quebec..f'n frenchies....i skipped around two groups of 5 people....literally picked my ball up...ripped by them in the cart to the next tee box...and looked at them like "yea i just did that".

Did you really think they'd not let you through if you asked?

Around me their is a course that is pretty well known as the beginners course. You can play all day for like $15-18. Almost everyone lets anyone play through and it allows new or high handicap golfers a chance to practice and develop their pre-shot routine, etc. I did not touch a "good" golf course until I knew I was ready, and I think this is where most people miss the boat. Playing on a course that is too challenging is only going to frustrate the poor player and everyone else that is trying to play a round in a reasonable amount of time. Ultimately it all comes back to golf etiquette.

Man, this is cool. We had an all-you-can-play par-3 course near my school when I started playing a few years ago. And you're right: it's amazing how many things in golf can be fixed by etiquette.

[NI4NI]

Hah, i played today in Quebec..f'n frenchies....i skipped around two groups of 5 people....literally picked my ball up...ripped by them in the cart to the next tee box...and looked at them like "yea i just did that".

Man, that's funny. Reminds me of a good Seinfeld quote: "I hate people. Yeah, they're the worst". Now, got get that 909D2, and shell them from the next tee box.

[zeg]

Hah, i played today in Quebec..f'n frenchies....i skipped around two groups of 5 people....literally picked my ball up...ripped by them in the cart to the next tee box...and looked at them like "yea i just did that".

My aren't you a shining example of class?

[doof_dizzler]

Do what the country clubs often do: Post a sign on the first tee which says, "Groups of less than three players have no standing on the course." (Like, don't expect to play through)

I think having singles and 2somes out on a busy day is a huge part of the problem. Pair/join them up!!

That, and hackers playing from too far back. Unless you're breaking 90 almost all the time, I don't think you should be playing from anywhere other than one set behind the ladies'/forward tees. I can't stand the guys who break 100 on a career day playing from the blues/tips. Huge waste of time!!

[mattttt25]

My home course has GPS monitors installed on the carts. If you fall behind, that damn thing doesn't shut up. Reminds you every 5 minutes that you're behind and to catch up. Works quite well.

[Meddle]

I don't really see how a 30 handicapper being 15 yards further back on the tips would slow things down that much. I think it all comes down to etiquette. A lot of people just don't know how to act on a golf course. If you duff the ball around that's fine, but do it quickly, that's your responsibility sharing the golf course with other people. If you want to take longer over the ball or whatever, get to the green in two shots instead of six. The other big thing in my mind is hitting into people. You say "fore" when you hit an errant shot, and don't whisper it either, yell it as loud as you can, realize that you could seriously injure or kill someone. And if you hit Driver when there's someone 215 yards away in the fairway, you should be banned from the course, period. That's inexcusable, but I've seen it done multiple times. I think all of us, as knowledgeable golfers, have to let our playing partners know when they break etiquette, and correct them. Some people are just a-holes, but well-meaning people who are just new to the game or don't know will be receptive to it.

[WUTiger]

...Unless you're breaking 90 almost all the time, I don't think you should be playing from anywhere other than one set behind the ladies'/forward tees. I can't stand the guys who break 100 on a career day playing from the blues/tips. Huge waste of time!!

Nicklaus talked about this in a piece on golf course design. He said that back in the 1990s, big thing was to build five or six different sets of tees. He thinks that's a bad idea, because males are tempted to play one or two sets better than their game. He says if you have Blue tees at 7,000 yds., and White tees at 6,200 yds. - and nothing in between - people are more likely to play where they should.

[WUTiger]

I am conscientious about my speed, but I shoot 110-120+ so taking three or 4 shots to reach par 4's and 5's, 2 shots to reach par 3's, I can't help it! I try to move as fast as I can, keep up with the group in front of me etc, but I want to get better too!

Everybody knows that the short game is a must for playing good golf. But for higher handicappers, the next most important thing is put your tee shot in the fairway. If it's only 180 yards but in the fairway, you should be able to get close on your second shot if you hit it from the short grass. If your driver is grouchy, tee off with 3W that day.

Also: * Consider getting some lessons, or going to an evening golf clinic with other beginners. Just learning a few basics should get you to where you can break 100. * Your irons and wedges are an "all-star team" of many different manufacturers, probably with lots of different types of shafts. It's easier to hit your irons if they're a matched set. You might get a static club fitting to see what shaft length, lie, and shaft flex you need. Some golf shops give them for free, or make it free it you buy clubs from them. Also, lots of new irons have hit the market recently - this means you could probably get a good deal on a decent set of used irons, maybe 5i-PW. Golf shops want to get these trade-ins back out on the street so they get their money back. Good luck! Keep us posted. (Also, a recent Trap Five column had tips for beginners)

[Teklabz]

Everybody knows that the short game is a must for playing good golf. But for higher handicappers, the next most important thing is put your tee shot in the fairway. If it's only 180 yards but in the fairway, you should be able to get close on your second shot if you hit it from the short grass. If your driver is grouchy, tee off with 3W that day.

Thanks for the reply Wu, I do plan to buy some lessons this spring/summer and look forward to it greatly! As for the mixed bag, from a lot of what I've been reading lately, sets might not always be the best answer, so my bag was designed to be appropriate for what I can hit well and have the appropriate overlap of distances. I just got most of them over the past few weeks so haven't really had a chance to work them at the range but plan to do so over the next few weeks. Great idea about getting fitted for shafts and lie angles, I will definitely do that, but unless I find that I can't hit a specific club or two, I plan to keep my mixed up set, that should be ok though, I think?

[j_moo]

Just a few suggestions: RFID on the golf balls, larger cup diameter, bowl shaped greens, v shaped downhill fairways, bumpers along hazard lines, no rough, bunkers with no lips, Hooters food cart, and golf carts that go 40mph and have HDTV.

[Shindig]

Nicklaus talked about this in a piece on golf course design. He said that back in the 1990s, big thing was to build five or six different sets of tees. He thinks that's a bad idea, because males are tempted to play one or two sets better than their game. He says if you have Blue tees at 7,000 yds., and White tees at 6,200 yds. - and nothing in between - people are more likely to play where they should.

I was going through old (2006) issues of

Golf Digest the other day, and ran across Fuzzy Zoeller's "Diane rule": based on whether his wife (high handicapper, short hitter) would be able to carry a particular hazard. If she can't do it, he changes his design (except the tips, for obvious reasons).

[B-Con]

What R&A; at St. Andrews

has to say :

Things that administrators can do to help to minimise round times: * Do not overload the course by using short starting intervals. When play is in two- balls, at least 8 minutes should be allowed between groups and in three or four balls, at least 10 minutes should be given. * If possible, incorporate starter’s gaps throughout the course of the day to allow for clearance of any delays that have arisen * Encourage players to play from tees that suit their ability and ask the starter to guide the players in this respect before the round. * The rough for daily play should be of such a length so as to avoid numerous lost balls. * Hole locations for daily play should not be too severe and neither should the green speeds. * Advise players of the time that should be taken to play the course and remind the players of their responsibilities with regards to pace of play, i.e. keep up with the group in front and allow quicker groups to pass through. Things that players can do to help to minimise round times: * Be aware of your position with regard to the group in front. * Do not concern yourself with the group behind; the fact that you are not holding them up is irrelevant as it is your group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front. * If you feel that your group is falling behind, advise the other players in your group. * If your group is behind, try to catch up quickly. * If you lose a clear hole and are delaying the group behind, or if there is no group in front of you and you are delaying the group behind, invite the group behind to play through. * Do not wait until it is your turn to play before putting your glove on. * Do not wait until it is your turn to play before calculating your yardage and selecting your club. * Look at your own line of putt while the other players in the group look at theirs (within the bounds of normal etiquette). * At the green, position your bags so as to allow quick movement off the green to the next tee. * Move off the green as soon as all players in your group have holed out; mark score cards at or on the way to the next tee. * Play a provisional ball if your ball may be lost outside a hazard or out of bounds. * If you keep up with the group in front, you cannot be accused of slow play.

Nothing that hasn't been said here.