Work golf league problem - need advice please

[walk18]

Ok, so I am in charge of running the golf league where I work. Runs once a week for 14 weeks. Great group of about 30 people. My problem is with one lady who, to say she plays slow, would be an understatement. The time it takes her from set up to actually swinging and hitting is 1 minute 30 seconds, I've timed it. She looks at her target, then the ball, target, ball and repeats 10 times. Then she just freezes for 30 seconds before she swings, why I have no idea. Between this and the fact she never stops chatting with her friend/partner, she is a nightmare to golf with. I've received complaints on a weekly basis from whoever is paired with her it's to the point where people will not show up if they're paired with her.

I've tried numerous ways to tell her she needs to speed up, like mentioning that the longer you stand over the ball, the worse the shot will be, keep up with the group in front (in a friendly reminder sort of way), but she just won't do it. I know she enjoys the league and we need as much participation as we can get. Does anyone have any advice on how to handle this? Keep in mind that I have to work with this person, so kicking her out of the league is something I don't want to consider.

Thanks

[natp0wers]

Shock collar should do the trick.

[She-Diablo]

We had this problem in a league where I golf, and decided the best thing to do was to make an announcement to the entire group before tee off, explaining that we thought we could play a little faster, etiquette specifies one practice swing (two if something interferes with that one), etc.
That way we didnt single anyone out.
It really did work, although your lady seems like she may be a bit worse than ours.
The people that FREEZE before their drives-- I really dont think you can change that. Freezer Geezers will pretty much always be freezer geezers.
But you should be able to atleast get her to speed up the other things with a friendly announcement to the entire group before you go out..... I hope!

[walk18]

  She-Diablo said:

We had this problem in a league where I golf, and decided the best thing to do was to make an announcement to the entire group before tee off, explaining that we thought we could play a little faster, etiquette specifies one practice swing (two if something interferes with that one), etc.

Thank you, sounds good I will try that.

[She-Diablo]

P.S. Even though you have already tried to talk to her one time, sometimes it works better to address a group of people about the issue because once they tee off, they think "I dont want to be the person HE WAS talking about" or they think "I dont want the people Im with to think IM THE ONE he was talking about".. and they speed up!

[clubchamp]

  She-Diablo said:

P.S. Even though you have already tried to talk to her one time, sometimes it works better to address a group of people about the issue because once they tee off, they think "I dont want to be the person HE WAS talking about" or they think "I dont want the people Im with to think IM THE ONE he was talking about".. and they speed up!

I semi agree with addressing the group but it won't speed her up. I'd mention to her that her group is always the slowest and play needs to be faster. If you want to avoid all of this put her in the first group out than let everyone talk to her afterwards.

[newtogolf]

Can you establish a time limit with penalties after the first warning?

[Dave H]

I think addressing the group is a great idea, that way you've laid down the rules for everyone and been clear about it. After one week, if she hasn't sped up you can address her specifically in light of the announcement. Be direct and honest, but do it in a caring manner.

[2bGood]

Did you talk to golf course? Nothing like passing the buck, but it might help if the marshal (if there is one) keeps an eye on her?

[vmsea]

  2bGood said:

Did you talk to golf course? Nothing like passing the buck, but it might help if the marshal (if there is one) keeps an eye on her?

I think this is the best approach. You organize the event.. not a course marshal.

it's the player's responsibility to keep pace, it's the course/course marshal's responsibility to enforce that rule. if the marshal tells her to pick up her ball, that's not your fault/problem at all right? I think a 'general talk' up front is not bad either, but i wouldn't enforce it with her since it's not really your 'responsibility' as the event organizer.

[She-Diablo]

  2bGood said:

Did you talk to golf course? Nothing like passing the buck, but it might help if the marshal (if there is one) keeps an eye on her?

Very good idea too...

I Know this sounds strange, but it also MAY depend on her age. Now, this may not be EVERYWHERE, but where I golf (and worked for 8 years), the older ladies wouldnt listen to a freakin THING a marshall or starter told them. None of them! (I think it was because most of them were at the course a lot longer than he had been, so they adopted the "we know more than you do" attitude. lol----and they would just started clucking off rude remarks about how horrible of a person he was when he left. And never change a thing. Courses are strapped for cash now anyway, so kicking them out/off was never really an option... The younger ones were always VERY QUICK to fix whatever they were doing that caught the attention of a marshall... But the older ladies couldnt stand to think that someone or a bunch of people would be "talking" about them- so in our case, addressing the group worked best. I would definitly try both- I think it depends on your lady!

[shades9323]

Make her tee off in the last group so she doesn't hold up your entire league.

Also, penalties for slow play. If the others in the group are being penalized too, they might try to move her along.

[mdbuschsr]

I was thing penalty of some sort for slow play as well. But penalizing the whole group would be wrong. Send her group out last, at she won't hold up the whole league.

[2bGood]

Another option is you could invite the fans from the 2002 US open to come watch. I recall they were not too kind to Mr. Garcia when he took too long to hit.