No excuse for Slow Play rant and solution - Inspired by RayG

[SAGolfLuvr]

Time to bare my soul too.

RayG described a fictitious situation in my "How to effectively read greens" thread where a foursome takes approximately 7 strokes to get to a hole, and then all 4 take too long to read their putts, causing a anger induced meltdown for those waiting in the fairway. Nothing against RayG, but I do have something against slow play.

Before I cast my stone at slow players, I look into the mirror and admit I was once a slow player years ago. An elderly near scratch golfer played with me once back then and said "Son I don't mind you playing bad, just do it while playing fast." So you can see how RayG has reminded me of how things used to be for me then and how I play today.

Today, there is one RIDICULOUSLY slow player I refuse to play with. He seems to use slow play as a weapon to annoy us and force us to rush our shots because our group (thanks to him) are holding up other foursomes. His average score after taking all that time? 96

I solved my personal slow play issues by putting in the time at the driving range, practice net, and chipping/putting green at least 3 times per week before I play for small money on Sunday. These days, I use the "breath in, breath out, now swing" technique so I am as fast or faster than most.

Speaking of playing for money. THAT slows down play. The guys who didn't practice take too long to miss putts on the green. No confidence equals slow play. So that's why I play with small money groups. Not to mention the disputes over the scorecard during the round. The big money guys are off of the green, but still sitting in their carts arguing about the score; instead of taking their arguments to the next tee box to get out of our way.

I used to play slow (years ago) because I would stand (motionless) over the ball going over swing thoughts trying to hit the perfect shot every time. I didn't have time for the driving range. I couldn't afford lessons, so I was basically teaching myself how to play during the round, one stroke at a time. I would stand paralyzed over the ball for 3 shots on almost every hole (then need another 3 to get in the hole). Just the thought of it pains me today. I should call and apologize to all the guys that put up with me back then.

Now that I look back at all the money and time I spent on golf in my first 3 years, I realize that golf lessons and the driving range was affordable but there are two crucial differences between then and now.

1. I just didn't believe in learning that way back then.

2. I didn't know that both affordable instructors and driving ranges existed then.

Since then, I have met people that have played much less years than I and have surpassed or are already at my level because they have taken lessons and are dedicated to their instruction. Guess what, they play fast too.

So in closing, I will say this. There is no excuse for slow play. If you are reading this on your computer, then you can buy a giant net and a 3x5 hitting mat, like I did.

http://www.golfgalaxy.com/Golf-Galaxy-Giant-Hit-Net/GIANTHITNET/Product

http://www.golfgalaxy.com/mats/Search?search_submitted=yes&kw;=mats

You can buy software (I have SwingReader on my IPhone (or iSwing on Droid phones)and I have Rick Smith's Shadow Pro) and practice at home. (digital camera to plug into computer not included but there are plenty of affordable digicams out there)

http://tinyurl.com/65mzhrx

http://web.swingreader.com/ (iphone users, it works on my new 3G, YES I said 3G)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y9o2DIjU6M (iSwing demo on YouTube for you Droid phone folks

Here's my version of a smart phone Tripod Set Up. One standard tripod, Two hand tightened clamps $12, One ruler trimmed to about eight inches $1, Velcro strips from Home Depot $3, One removable hardcover for my phone $24, tape wrapped around ruler at base for better clamp control, Velcro at the other end, attach the phone. Works great.

[iacas]

I think the bulk of slow play can be eliminated by being ready to hit when it's your turn to hit.

Even if you have a Ben Crane circa 2008 pre-shot routine, if you're ready to start your pre-shot routine as soon as player you follow hits, you can't be that slow.

It's the people who fart around and still don't know what club they're going to hit, what their yardage is, what the wind is doing, etc. when it's their turn to hit that cause slow play.

Though I think the tools you've outlined are good tools to have regardless, but I don't really know how they're going to make someone faster. Better, if used properly, but they've got next to nothing to do with being faster.

"Breathe in, breathe out, swing" is virtually entirely responsible for your speed-up.

[Harmonious]

Originally Posted by iacas

I think the bulk of slow play can be eliminated by being ready to hit when it's your turn to hit.

It's the people who fart around and still don't know what club they're going to hit, what their yardage is, what the wind is doing, etc. when it's their turn to hit that cause slow play.

This is it.  Nothing like following a foursome in carts where they all drive to the first ball, sit and wait for player #1 to ponder his shot, go to his cart, pull a club, practice swing a time or two, finally hit it, return the club to the cart, then EVERYONE drive over to player #2's ball to repeat the process.  And on and on.

Then when they finally get to the green, three guys stand around while the first one putts.  Only then does player two even start to think about lining up his putt.  And on and on, usually with a couple of three-putts.

I swear a full hour could be carved from an average round, even from players who "believe" they are faster than average players.

[saevel25]

Yep thats it... Now for me, i like to walk, and i hit the ball 99% of the time farther than most people i play againts. So that means i have to wait for them to hit before i get to my ball in most cases. So i usually take a bit more time than most, but its not insane. I am fast at picking a club, and i have a good preshot routine. But i agree totally, ready golf is the key. Figure the shot you want, the club you want, and start envisioning the shot as the other person hits. Then when they hit, your ready to go. Same with reading greens, read the putt while the others are reading there's and putting.

[tristanhilton85]

Slow play is caused more by not being ready when it's your turn rather than just sucking.... People who completely suck and aren't ready are obviously even slower.  Usually, I find however, if you take a bad player who is ready when it's his turn and put him with a good player who isn't, the bad player is the quicker one even though he takes more strokes.

[SAGolfLuvr]

Although I believe it truly worked for me, it seems no one else here in the committee believes that improving a golfer's ability to hit a ball, therefore giving that golfer the confidence to line up, set up, and hit the ball in a quick and concise manner, is the answer to eliminating slow play. I define slow play as a group taking more than 13 minutes to start and finish a hole.

Seems the committee believes that "being ready to hit your ball" when it is "your turn" is the real cure to eliminating slow play.

OK, If we want to go in THAT direction then;

In a foursome of walkers; Walkers would each need to walk to their own ball, simultaneously go through their routines, and then hit their balls in the proper order.

In a foursome of carts; Both cart drivers would need to drop off the passenger at the passenger's ball (in which case those two golfers immediately go through their routines). As this is happening, the cart drivers goes to their ball, and go through their routines, and then everyone hits in the proper order.

When both groups are on the green, they will have plenty of time to analyze and then putt out then move on to the next hole.

This only works if everyone can find their ball, be decisive on the clubs they pick, don't ask questions about the hole/wind/etc, and ask where their ball went. Not relistic or likely.

I have witnessed and have been a part of;

1. Lost ball searches where golfers whom are helping with the search haven't hit their balls and take too long to find another golfer's ball.

2. Excessive chatter, the golfers are talking about course, wind, pin positions as if they are Pros but then perform like us amateurs do on the swing and repeat the cycle on every shot.

3. Park the cart, walk 30 yards to the ball, change their mind on the club, and then walk back to the cart to change clubs.

4. Long swing routines, resulting in bad results.

5. I can keep this up because I have witnessed and been a part of many slow play behaviors.

Indirectly, these factors are what I am trying to help eliminate. The stuff that goes on IN BETWEEN the act of hitting a ball. Learn from a pro, practice during the week building confidence, go to the course, execute. The rest will take care of itself (Like by REDUCING the amount of strokes per player needed to reach a green and then hole out) . That's a big part of what I am trying to say.

[Harmonious]

Certainly if you have a group of golfers who have to look for their ball on every hole, you are in for a dismal day.  Those folks should find courses that are more forgiving.  And taking fewer swings will generally be quicker than taking more swings, but the time to hit 10 more shots is negligible to the time wasted by people just sitting in their carts doing nothing.

When I am forced to ride (maybe 5 times a year), I usually opt to be the passenger.  I tell the driver to go to his ball, I take my bag off the cart and walk to my ball.  I'm ready to hit at about the same time as my partner.  Then I walk to the green or step into the cart if he is driving on the same side of the fairway.  But usually I would rather just walk the 150 yards or so.  After all, exercise is part of the game, too.

It's not rocket science how to speed up the game.  Just get to your ball quickly and be ready to hit when it's your turn.

[RayG]

At least I'm an inspiration to somebody... "Ficticious"?... well, kinda- but I KNOW that almost all or all of us have come across this type of situation. A mixed group of abilities with at least one or two "army golfers" that will tend to slow down the group, but not exceedingly slow. Kind of of the cusp, but there is no real gap to the group ahead for now. They get to the green after doing a general NatGeo type of exploration of the hole, and proceed to take every angle, front and back, pacing the length, etc... so much so that it looks like a square dance from back in the fairway. And this is for every putt- including the fourth one from 2 feet away. Now there's a bit of a gap between the group in front. They get to the tee and go right off. Except on the next hole it's the same thing. They catch up and wait for that group (because they're only 300 yards away from the green, of course). then repeat the whole square dance thing as you wait in the fairway. THEY think they're moving right along because they aren't waiting on the tee box. But as mentioned, the ready golf thing is likely the major issue- but with a few additions. Watching the pros play on TV sets a bad example for everyone. And going over every swing thought in your head while your over the ball won't always make you better but it will always slow you down. That is what practice is for. You practice to make those swing thoughts unnecessary so you can walk up and without thinking too much about it, make your swing.

[nevets88]

Golf Channel show idea:

Goto some muni, tape a couple of slowpokes and a couple of the pace it should be players. Do a side by side of both playing the same holes, showing the differences.

Or better yet, make the those who know what they're doing play every shot slowpokes play and see just how much time they shave. Do a side by side with a countdown timer going.

It will be like night and day.

At the end of the sequence, red stamp with a big bleep, SLOWPOKE!

[Grumpter]

Yes, being ready to play when it's your turn helps a lot. It would also help if people were ready/willing to play when it is not their turn.

example - 3 players on the green within 20 feet of the hole waiting for 4th player to get on green from sand trap. The sand shot makes it on the green but comes up 30 feet short leaving the same player as technically the player that is out and should be playing next. No reason not to have one of the players take their putt while the 4th player cleans up the trap and gets to their ball on the green.

There are many other examples where players could play out of turn without interrupting other players shots. If it doesn't interrupt the other players and it's not a tournament I can't think of many reasons why players shouldn't be playing full ready golf. Not just when it's your turn be ready but rather if you are ready and won't interrupt the other players in your group then by all means play your stroke.

However, I think we are mostly preaching to the choir here. Players interested enough to post on forums already know speed of play is an issue and are conscious of their groups playing pace.

[tristanhilton85]

Originally Posted by Grumpter

Yes, being ready to play when it's your turn helps a lot. It would also help if people were ready/willing to play when it is not their turn.

example - 3 players on the green within 20 feet of the hole waiting for 4th player to get on green from sand trap. The sand shot makes it on the green but comes up 30 feet short leaving the same player as technically the player that is out and should be playing next. No reason not to have one of the players take their putt while the 4th player cleans up the trap and gets to their ball on the green.

There are many other examples where players could play out of turn without interrupting other players shots. If it doesn't interrupt the other players and it's not a tournament I can't think of many reasons why players shouldn't be playing full ready golf. Not just when it's your turn be ready but rather if you are ready and won't interrupt the other players in your group then by all means play your stroke.

However, I think we are mostly preaching to the choir here. Players interested enough to post on forums already know speed of play is an issue and are conscious of their groups playing pace.

That's a great point... especially with the bunker situation.

[shortstop20]

Originally Posted by Grumpter

Yes, being ready to play when it's your turn helps a lot. It would also help if people were ready/willing to play when it is not their turn.

example - 3 players on the green within 20 feet of the hole waiting for 4th player to get on green from sand trap. The sand shot makes it on the green but comes up 30 feet short leaving the same player as technically the player that is out and should be playing next. No reason not to have one of the players take their putt while the 4th player cleans up the trap and gets to their ball on the green.

There are many other examples where players could play out of turn without interrupting other players shots. If it doesn't interrupt the other players and it's not a tournament I can't think of many reasons why players shouldn't be playing full ready golf. Not just when it's your turn be ready but rather if you are ready and won't interrupt the other players in your group then by all means play your stroke.

However, I think we are mostly preaching to the choir here. Players interested enough to post on forums already know speed of play is an issue and are conscious of their groups playing pace.

Agreed.

The bunker situation is SOP in our group.