Tips on playing efficiently

[onesome]

  jetsknicks1 said:

Originally Posted by jetsknicks1

That seems pretty rude. I thought it was ettiquite to not leave the green until everybody has putted out. Just walking off the green while your partners are still playing out the hole seems disrespectful to me.

I also think first one in replaces the flag.

[mdl]

  sean_miller said:

Originally Posted by sean_miller

If I ever need so much time to get ready to hit a tee shot that I can't wait in the general area for the rest of the group, then I need to rethink my preshot routine? Or maybe I don't enjoy playing with the guys I'm paired with and secretly wish I could just tee off and go on ahead.

Come on.  Really?  You really think putting your bag down, choosing a club, getting out the club you want, walking to the tee markers, putting in a tee, setting up your ball, standing behind the ball and setting up/visualizing your shot, maybe taking a practice swing or motion or two, setting up, and hitting takes a totally ignorable amount of time?  Even a quick player is taking close to 30 seconds for that whole sequence if he's first off.

I admit I'm a bit obsessive about making things as fast as possible except for the pre-shot routine itself (where mine's not super short, but more like a pretty average length for a decent or better player), probably because I play public courses mostly on weekends in a city where that means risking 5.5 hour rounds frequently.  But that just means that if the group in front of us is playing at a 5 hour pace and other guys in my group are slow enough that we're not keeping up, I damn sure don't want to abet that and play a 5:15 round cause we're even slower (making my round even slower and screwing the groups behind us).  If I can take off from the green and be the one starting our group teeing off close to the time when the fairway clears rather than a couple minutes afterwards, I'm going to do that.

I can talk to the guys in the group I'm playing with who are friend(s) of mine as we walk to our tee shots or the green.

Same as the debate we had about waving up groups on par 3s I guess.  Guys who don't worry about playing a 5-6 hour round pretty much every time they tee off don't seem to understand, maybe just haven't had to sit and watch so much that you start to definitely notice all the little things that could make everyone's round a more reasonable length?

[jetsknicks1]

  onesome said:

Originally Posted by onesome

I also think first one in replaces the flag.

Exactly. At least that's the way I've always seen it.

[Golfingdad]

  mdl said:

Originally Posted by mdl

Also, on the greens, if I'm in first and the following tee box is open and the group in front left long enough ago that the fairway (or green) is probably open (or if I can see that it's open), I won't wait for others to finish but will go ahead to the next tee box and get ready to hit my tee shot while the last guy or two in my group finishes putting.  If the next fairway or green isn't open, I'll make sure my bag's on the side of the green closest to the next tee box and grab the flag.

I have to agree with others that this is a bit rude.  The first thing that comes to mind is that you will make noise (bag chatter mostly) during that walk while YOUR playing partners are trying to putt out.  I'm assuming they were considerate to wait silently while you putted.  Now, if you are always playing with the same close friends, and they are slow players, I could see developing a habit like this to help drag them along when they start falling behind.  But, otherwise, that is really rude.

The rest of your post was money though.  I play very similarly to you ... I just would never leave the green until my group is finished.

[1NatsFan]

If you're riding (not the driver), take your shot and get into the cart.  Put your club back into your bag when you go to pull your club for your next shot.

I'm amazed at how long some people spend simply putting a club back into the bag.

I only do this if the group behind is waiting.

[DocWu1948]

  1NatsFan said:

Originally Posted by 1NatsFan

If you're riding (not the driver), take you shot and get into the cart.  Put your club back into your back when you go to pull you club for your next shot.

I'm amazed at how long some people spend simply putting a club back into the bag.

I only do this if the group behind is waiting.

I've timed my buddy, who is a slow player. It takes him a minute after hitting a shot from fairway, including putting on the head covers. That's 17 minutes over the round.

[sean_miller]

  mdl said:

Originally Posted by mdl

Quote:

Originally Posted by sean_miller

If I ever need so much time to get ready to hit a tee shot that I can't wait in the general area for the rest of the group, then I need to rethink my preshot routine? Or maybe I don't enjoy playing with the guys I'm paired with and secretly wish I could just tee off and go on ahead.

Come on.  Really?  You really think putting your bag down, choosing a club, getting out the club you want, walking to the tee markers, putting in a tee, setting up your ball, standing behind the ball and setting up/visualizing your shot, maybe taking a practice swing or motion or two, setting up, and hitting takes a totally ignorable amount of time?  Even a quick player is taking close to 30 seconds for that whole sequence if he's first off.

If you think dissing your group so you can be first off every time, even if you don't have honours, is worth saving a few seconds, then go for it. Just don't do it in my group, and you'd better not be dragging your a$$ anywhere else on the course at any point in time during the round.

[newtogolf]

I agree, I was taught first man to hole out mans the flag for the rest of the group.  Some people seem to lose the concept that golf is a social activity.  If I'm constantly racing to get to the ball or the tee box then I might as well play by myself.  Pretty hard to conduct business or develop business relationships when you're never near the people you're playing with.

  Golfingdad said:

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

I have to agree with others that this is a bit rude.  The first thing that comes to mind is that you will make noise (bag chatter mostly) during that walk while YOUR playing partners are trying to putt out.  I'm assuming they were considerate to wait silently while you putted.  Now, if you are always playing with the same close friends, and they are slow players, I could see developing a habit like this to help drag them along when they start falling behind.  But, otherwise, that is really rude.

The rest of your post was money though.  I play very similarly to you ... I just would never leave the green until my group is finished.

[Volchok]

  Elvisliveson said:

Originally Posted by Elvisliveson

The post you were originally responding to was talking about guys who can't drive the ball 220 yards, yet wait to hit their 2nd shot from more than that until the group clears the green. That is stupid and inconsiderate. And that is from the fairway, much less a "pretty awful lie" from the rough as you explained.  Your "golf isn't meant to play for others than yourself" attitude is case in point for why there is slow play. Other groups on a busy course shouldn't have to wait while you try to pull off career shot; that's not your right.

I never said that he couldn't drive the ball over 220 yards, just hadn't that day (slices and whatnot), but was more than capable of hitting drives past 250 yards. By your logic, I'm assuming that you didn't bother to read my post at all, 3-3,5 hours for a round carrying your bag is too slow? I don't see the point teeing off as soon as you can in a hurry, just to go running to you next shot, so that you can't wait there.

I'm guessing that your the type of player that breathes down every players neck infront of you, and laying up from 150 yards because the green is not available yet.

[Double Bogey]

MDL, as others have said.  You post is pretty spot on other than walking off the green.  Most of the guys I play with are fairly quick players like me, but no matter how slow some randoms might be, there is no reason to be rude and walk off the green.  Obviously I don't know you and you are more than likely a good dude, but walking off the green in my group would get you called a pompus a$$ guaranteed.  Just sayin

[dak4n6]

OK, so as I suspected, there are some disagreements on how to play efficiently, but this is going pretty well so far.

I've got a few more:

1) For cart riders, take your club and go, or take the cart and go. If the tee shots of two riders are close together, fine, the cart can be driven somewhere within close proximity to both balls. But if the two balls are far away from each other, the cart and one player should go to one ball, while the other player should take his club and either be dropped off or walk to his ball. If he is unsure of club selection in the case of walking, he should take two or three to cover the possibilities. This allows both shots to be fired with little delay in between., and when multiplied over a foursome over 18 holes, the time savings are significant.

2) Anyone using the forward tees should advance to those tee boxes and be ready to hit while others in the group are hitting from the back tees whenever possible, i.e., when the forward tees are up and to one side, or when there are obstacles behined which they can wait.

3) Shorter hitters (e.g., my wife and daughter) should go ahead and hit first if the group in front is not within their range even if they are playing the forward tees or are not away.

[Elvisliveson]

  Volchok said:

Originally Posted by Volchok

I never said that he couldn't drive the ball over 220 yards, just hadn't that day (slices and whatnot), but was more than capable of hitting drives past 250 yards. By your logic, I'm assuming that you didn't bother to read my post at all, 3-3,5 hours for a round carrying your bag is too slow? I don't see the point teeing off as soon as you can in a hurry, just to go running to you next shot, so that you can't wait there.

I'm guessing that your the type of player that breathes down every players neck infront of you, and laying up from 150 yards because the green is not available yet.

Why don't you pay attention to the posts you are responding to (quoting no less) and give more careful consideration to your response instead of lashing out? Again, you were responding to a post that was talking about golfers who couldn't drive the ball 220 yards, waiting to hit their second shots to the green in excess of that yardage. Your initial post didn't provide any of the details you are now claiming. And how the world do you conclude that my suggestion about laying up from 240 yards out with a "pretty awful lie" in the rough would apply to 150 yards out?

[Volchok]

  Elvisliveson said:

Originally Posted by Elvisliveson

Why don't you pay attention to the posts you are responding to (quoting no less) and give more careful consideration to your response instead of lashing out? Again, you were responding to a post that was talking about golfers who couldn't drive the ball 220 yards, waiting to hit their second shots to the green in excess of that yardage. Your initial post didn't provide any of the details you are now claiming. And how the world do you conclude that my suggestion about laying up from 240 yards out with a "pretty awful lie" in the rough would apply to 150 yards out?

Are you on crack? Shouldn't even bother to respond, but since you're asking for it.

I was "replying to a post that was about golfers who couldn't drive the ball 220 yards". This is what i replied to: "Also, if you haven't hit a single drive past 220 today and you're sitting at 220 with a 3W in hand, everyone knows there's a 0% chance you come anywhere near the green." And to my recollection, I provided information on a single shot my friend made from 220 yards out, and he still didn't have a drive that was longer that 220 yards THAT DAY.

I applied the lay up from 150 yards based on your idea of a good pace round. If people want to try certain shots, they can't, because you're going to be 5 minutes late?

[Elvisliveson]

  Volchok said:

Originally Posted by Volchok

Are you on crack? Shouldn't even bother to respond, but since you're asking for it.

I was "replying to a post that was about golfers who couldn't drive the ball 220 yards". This is what i replied to: "Also, if you haven't hit a single drive past 220 today and you're sitting at 220 with a 3W in hand, everyone knows there's a 0% chance you come anywhere near the green." And to my recollection, I provided information on a single shot my friend made from 220 yards out, and he still didn't have a drive that was longer that 220 yards THAT DAY.

I applied the lay up from 150 yards based on your idea of a good pace round. If people want to try certain shots, they can't, because you're going to be 5 minutes late?

Yeah that's it, you figured me out, I'm on crack. .  BTW, you stated your friend was 240 yards out, in the rough with a "pretty awful lie". Doesn't take take smoking crack to figure out the smart play is to lay up to a comfortable yardage, especially if you haven't driven that distance the entire day. There's no point in discussing this further with you, because you'll just continue to lash out with the juvenile "Are you on crack?" like comments.

[Volchok]

  Elvisliveson said:

Originally Posted by Elvisliveson

Yeah that's it, you figured me out, I'm on crack. .  BTW, you stated your friend was 240 yards out, in the rough with a "pretty awful lie". Doesn't take take smoking crack to figure out the smart play is to lay up to a comfortable yardage, especially if you haven't driven that distance the entire day. There's no point in discussing this further with you, because you'll just continue to lash out with the juvenile "Are you on crack?" like comments.

I don't think it's juvenile to ask someone if they're on crack, if you suspect it? BTW, it's not always the smart play to lay up, because an unsuccessful shot can become an lay up. And just so you know, even though the driver is the longest club in the bag, everyone doesn't hit it the longest.

[hendog]

Other than the side bar argument over which post was responded to this is a really great thread.

The biggest issue I run into where I become the drag is when I am playing with my regular friends, all of whom are 25+ handicappers, and I am going for a green on a par 5 in 2. It will be well within my range but everyone else pretty much has to wait on me. I think I more than make up for it by actually getting close if not on the green and in general the rest of the round I am taking considerably less shots but those situations always bother me because I hate being the drag.

The other issue here is if a group behind is waiting to tee off. I hate making them wait but I have a legitimate chance to get on or close and then make an eagle or birdie. I can't explain that to them but I am not going to lay up just to speed up. I am a very fast player so I feel I have earned that right in the golf gods eyes even if others don't know it.

The thing that bothers me more than anything else is when people drive BACKWARDS to a ball. This actually happened yesterday. I'm on the tee, I see the group ahead (2-some) way down the left side and out of my range. I tee it up and let er rip hitting it down the middle with a little draw. As the ball is coming down I see a cart driving back towards me and across the fairway!! As the ball landed I know they were probably cussing me but come on man!! How am I supposed to know you had a ball further back? Obviously the person with the ball back should have been out of the cart and over hitting their ball and then walking up but I think it was a husband/wife team so they tend to stick together.

Last but not least, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE leave the practice drills on the range. I don't want to see you doing some drill before every shot. If so, let me play through and then you can do whatever you want.

[Elvisliveson]

  Volchok said:

Originally Posted by Volchok

I don't think it's juvenile to ask someone if they're on crack, if you suspect it? BTW, it's not always the smart play to lay up, because an unsuccessful shot can become an lay up. And just so you know, even though the driver is the longest club in the bag, everyone doesn't hit it the longest.

Of course it is. It means you don't have a logical retort, so you'll just try to make the other person's argument look ridiculous by accusing them of being on drugs. That's infantile behavior.

[Volchok]

  Jason M Henley said:

Originally Posted by Jason M Henley

The other issue here is if a group behind is waiting to tee off. I hate making them wait but I have a legitimate chance to get on or close and then make an eagle or birdie. I can't explain that to them but I am not going to lay up just to speed up. I am a very fast player so I feel I have earned that right in the golf gods eyes even if others don't know it.

This is exactly what I mean. If someone senses even the most slightest chance of getting on under gir, then I think it's reasonable to make the other group wait for a few minutes. We tend to play faster the rest of the hole (even been known to jog to the hole), if a situation like this occurs. I would never even think about laying up just to speed things along, that's not golf.

  Elvisliveson said:

Originally Posted by Elvisliveson

Of course it is. It means you don't have a logical retort, so you'll just try to make the other person's argument look ridiculous by accusing them of being on drugs. That's infantile behavior.

Not if I don't find any other excuse. You told me I should "pay attention to the posts you are responding to (quoting no less) and give more careful consideration", when infact you were the one not reading my posts. And I don't think that i would need to accuse you of being on drugs to make your argument look ridiculous.