playing through your own group

[ejimsmith]

Yesterday I played with a 2-some and another single at an 18 hole executive course (mostly par 3's).   The 2-some wasn't playing well and were playing rather slow.  the other single didn't mind, but I wanted to charge through the course so I could finish up and get home.  No one was in front of us.  I felt though, it would be in poor taste to just tell them I'm playing ahead, so I stuck with it.  Luckily the 2-some quit at the turn so our pace got much faster, though I was a bit annoyed by the single I was with -- kept talking and talking and talking.

Is there ever a time it wouldn't be considered rude to ditch the group you're playing with and playing ahead at a faster pace?

[Fourputt]

Pretty hard to do that and not seem to be rude unless they initiate the idea.

I've had a twosome of weak golfers actually suggest that I play on ahead, and I've taken them up on it when there is open grass in front of us.

[2bGood]

Do it on the fisrt tee. I have often planned to just go out solo and said to a group that I might get paired with that I want to go it on my own, hit and get out of their way ASAP. This is of course if I playing when the course is empty as there is no need for us to go as a group.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by ejimsmith

Yesterday I played with a 2-some and another single at an 18 hole executive course (mostly par 3's).   The 2-some wasn't playing well and were playing rather slow.  the other single didn't mind, but I wanted to charge through the course so I could finish up and get home.  No one was in front of us.  I felt though, it would be in poor taste to just tell them I'm playing ahead, so I stuck with it.  Luckily the 2-some quit at the turn so our pace got much faster, though I was a bit annoyed by the single I was with -- kept talking and talking and talking.

Is there ever a time it wouldn't be considered rude to ditch the group you're playing with and playing ahead at a faster pace?

I've made the mistake of staying with the herd enough times that I should know better, and yet I've met some really interesting people that way. It's a judgment call.

[2bGood]

Originally Posted by Fourputt

Pretty hard to do that and not seem to be rude unless they initiate the idea.

I've had a twosome of weak golfers actually suggest that I play on ahead, and I've taken them up on it when there is open grass in front of us.

Most weak golfer don't want to play with good players so they are pretty happy to have you out of their way. I take my 65 year old mom out once and a while, and she always hopes that we can only be twosome. I always book our tee time when the course will be slow and if someone does want to jump on with us I do let them know that my mom is novice.

This has happened a few time in reverse to me where I was going to jump on with a group and they said -"we aren't very good...." some times I will still join them, if I am in the mood for stroll and hit a few shots, some times I will go ahead.

Of course I play in a Private Club, so we do have the options in who we tee off with etc. Some public courses would not be so accomidating

[The_Pharaoh]

I think it is fine if you are clearly demonstrating superior play and the course is empty in front of you. As a pro, I am always on my best behaviour around amateurs as I feel I must set the standard (plus you never know when you are going to pick up a lesson or two! ;-)).

Originally Posted by ejimsmith

Yesterday I played with a 2-some and another single at an 18 hole executive course (mostly par 3's).   The 2-some wasn't playing well and were playing rather slow.  the other single didn't mind, but I wanted to charge through the course so I could finish up and get home.  No one was in front of us.  I felt though, it would be in poor taste to just tell them I'm playing ahead, so I stuck with it.  Luckily the 2-some quit at the turn so our pace got much faster, though I was a bit annoyed by the single I was with -- kept talking and talking and talking.

Is there ever a time it wouldn't be considered rude to ditch the group you're playing with and playing ahead at a faster pace?

[ohiolefty]

Sometimes, you just have to do it. You have to be nice AS you do it...but, you just have to...

I have a muny by me that I hit after work every once in a while because my home course isn't always convenient to my job (especially when I have meetings and have to stay a little longer at work - traffic, etc.). I've been stuck in some hellacious pairings there. At a certain point, when you can't get anything out of your round because of their hacking and dawdling, you have to move on.

[Johnnyooze]

Id like to think if your on a golf course you didnt just happen upon it. Therefor you know about ediquette and that theres going to be golfers of different levels. So no, if your paired with other people and your skill level is greater and your pace of play is going to be faster, they shouldnt be mad if you ask to play ahead. So long as your not a jerk about it lol. Just like if your not that great of a golfer and the person your paired with wants to play ahead alone because thats how they like to golf, so be it!

[golf4fun12]

this same exact situation happened with me. played with a couple and a single. couple were on the first tee box and I got paired with them from the starter. no one in front of us for many holes. they had told me they were beginners but I have no problem with that since we are all beginners at one point in time. first hole took nearly 20 minutes. no joke. 2nd hole took 15 minutes. we played quicker on this hole cause it is a par 3. the other single walks to me and says if we should just play through. I tell him it wouldnt be nice just cause it would be like telling the couple, "you guys suck, don't play golf ever again, please get off the course" at least that what I thought it seem like if we tell them we are playing trough. anyway, 3rd hole comes up and the couple tell us to play through cause they are holding us up. so, we play ahead without them.

this is a tough situation. I say, wait it out and see what happens. maybe they will let you go ahead without having to ask. golf etiquette is very important, esp for beginners who don't know the unwritten rules.