The Definitive Pace of Play Thread

[iacas]

We've had discussions in other threads. Though this thread has a poll that asks a question, in truth, it's really about discussing anything and everything about pace of play.

Today I played 18 holes in a twosome in 4:30. There were three foursomes in front of us. Directly in front of us was a Korean family from Vegas - some high rollers visiting the casino here. In front of them a foursome. In front of them, a foursome supposedly playing "a big money match."

So… it took 4:30 to play 18 holes. It felt dreadfully slow. Nobody even stopped long at the turn - my partner hit the head and that was it - but everyone was already off the 10th tee (and waiting in the fairway) as we pulled up.

The first group saw no need to let the second group though, and the third group wasn't going to let us through because even on a par five they could not see open space in front of them. Perfectly understandable. But yuck.

We considered skipping two holes and coming back to finish them later, but just resigned ourselves to playing slowly, taking our time, etc. A foursome that teed off 20 minutes behind us never caught up to us. We told some extra stories. Talked about the upcoming EDGA event (go RD!), and shot the breeze.

I get that we were a twosome. But as a foursome, we'd have finished in about 3:30. We regularly finish as a twosome in 3:00 even with a few delays.

[David in FL]

Just for clarification, are we assuming a relatively open course where we can proceed pretty much at our pace, or the pace we normally finish due to course congestion/condition?

[mvmac]

I voted for 3:30-4:00. Seems like if the round is over 4, we were probably waiting.

And that's been in a lot of big money matches

[Hardspoon]

I played today in a threesome as the first group out (6:50am). There was never anyone behind us, so we took our sweet time... looked a little longer for lost balls, shot the breeze on the tee, and weren't even playing ready golf at times. The round took 3:45.

I have had rounds as a threesome on a crowded course take just under four hours, and it is amazing how much slower that feels, just by virtue of waiting on most shots.

Another note, since I've seen discussions of it here: I think my pace of play is almost identical using a cart and walking. Within a minute per hole, for sure.

[Hardspoon]

Just for clarification, are we assuming a relatively open course where we can proceed pretty much at our pace, or the pace we normally finish due to course congestion/condition?

I voted based on my "comfortable" pace on an open course, although nowadays that is pretty standard for me since I've taken to playing VERY early in the morning, or on weekdays (ah, the joys of working from home).

[JonMA1]

If I were playing with 3 others who play at the same pace and skill level as me (and with carts), I'd guess 3.5 hrs???

I didn't realize how much time a cart can save until I rode 18 this morning. I was the first one out and because I have a cold, chose to ride. Finished the first 9 in just over an hour. Got stuck behind a foursome and then a threesome on the back 9. Both groups eventually let me play through, but there was a lot of waiting and still finished the 18 well short of 3hrs.

I've played with folks who just have no concept of ready golf or playing at a reasonable pace. To play alongside 3 of those types would be an all-day event.

[David in FL]

Assuming no real hold up, I'd say 3:00-3:30, closer to 3:00. Anything over 4:00 feels like a death slog. Played in 4:25 today and wanted to cut my throat with a wedge by the turn. I admit that a slow pace can affect my concentration and can bother me in tournaments. It's something I understand that I need to work on.

[bkuehn1952]

I think my "group" playing as a 4-some would be around 3.5 hours so I voted 3.5 to 4.0.  As Iacas noted, when playing as a group less than 4, time can really drag when one is stuck in a sea of 4-somes.  On the other hand, I have played in some tournaments where the others in my group provided enough distraction (lost balls, penalties, rulings, etc...) that 5 hours on the course did not seem that slow.

All I really ask is for the people in front of me to play and move efficiently.  No leaving the cart or bag on the wrong side of the green, etc...

[Patch]

I voted 4:30-5:00 just because I think no one else will. I see a lot of 5 hour rounds where I play as it is.

Pace of play is what it is for that player playing that day. Some are going to be slower than others, and some will be faster. It's the nature of the game. You speed up a slow player, and he will play worse than normal. You slow down a fast player, and it will probably effect their game negatively. Nothing will ever change it. Sure, there can be changes made in the current game to speed up play to appease the track star in all of us, but it won't be the game we now play.

Anyways, that's my story and I am sticking to it. That, and I never blame how I play on the pace of play I am confronted with that day.

[Fourputt]

We've had discussions in other threads. Though this thread has a poll that asks a question, in truth, it's really about discussing anything and everything about pace of play.

Today I played 18 holes in a twosome in 4:30. There were three foursomes in front of us. Directly in front of us was a Korean family from Vegas - some high rollers visiting the casino here. In front of them a foursome. In front of them, a foursome supposedly playing "a big money match."

So… it took 4:30 to play 18 holes. It felt dreadfully slow. Nobody even stopped long at the turn - my partner hit the head and that was it - but everyone was already off the 10th tee (and waiting in the fairway) as we pulled up.

The first group saw no need to let the second group though, and the third group wasn't going to let us through because even on a par five they could not see open space in front of them. Perfectly understandable. But yuck.

We considered skipping two holes and coming back to finish them later, but just resigned ourselves to playing slowly, taking our time, etc. A foursome that teed off 20 minutes behind us never caught up to us. We told some extra stories. Talked about the upcoming EDGA event (go RD!), and shot the breeze.

I get that we were a twosome. But as a foursome, we'd have finished in about 3:30. We regularly finish as a twosome in 3:00 even with a few delays.

That bit I put in bold really defines the problem.  Even when a group has the open course with an opportunity to make up 20 minutes, they don't do it nearly often enough.  My typical foursome would have been right behind you in no more than 45 minutes.  Of course then we'd be waiting on you while you waited on the guys in front of you, but we'd still finish nearly 20 minutes faster (elapsed time) than you did.

Last week my buddy and I were in that position of being the twosome following three and foursomes and even though we finished in about 4:05, it was still a case of waiting on every full swing.

I picked 3:30 to 4 because that is the pace we would be at on an open course.  Maybe even faster under the right circumstances, but I picked the typical time.

[boogielicious]

I voted 4 - 4:30 only because we usually have to wait. My regular foursome would do 4 or under 4 walking if we did not have to wait.

[Scotsclaff]

3.30-4 hrs.

If we have Koreans or Japanese guys on the course then it's 5hrs.

Incredible how slow they saunter around the course.

[isukgolf]

My group can play quickly without anyone in front of us ... but I put 3:30-4:00 ... given an open course it is closer to 3:30. My groups motto is if you are going to suk ... suk fast ...

[onkey]

Although I prefer a 3-hr pace, we usually take just over 3 1/2 hrs.  If I spend more than 4 hrs out there, my game suffers.

[saevel25]

I voted for 3:30-4:00. Seems like if the round is over 4, we were probably waiting.

This^^^

I use to think 4 hours is a good pace. Now I think it's the slowest pace I want to ever play.

[Phil McGleno]

I voted 4:30-5:00 just because I think no one else will. I see a lot of 5 hour rounds where I play as it is.  Pace of play is what it is for that player playing that day. Some are going to be slower than others, and some will be faster. It's the nature of the game. You speed up a slow player, and he will play worse than normal. You slow down a fast player, and it will probably effect their game negatively. Nothing will ever change it. Sure, there can be changes made in the current game to speed up play to appease the track star in all of us, but it won't be the game we now play. Anyways, that's my story and I am sticking to it. That, and I never blame how I play on the pace of play I am confronted with that day.

4:00 is not being a track star.-I voted 3:00 to 3:30. Typically at my course it is 3:30 to 4:00 but we do not cater to slow players.

[Jeremie Boop]

It was tough for me to pick because it all reality it's anywhere from 3-4 hours totally dependent on what time and day the round is being played.

[Club Rat]

Unfortunately and truthfully, it's difficult to play rounds at courses these days as a 4-some In less than 4 hours, most days.

Unless your fortunate enough to hit a time slot with either an open course, or have a few holes open.

I had to vote 4-4:30, because most rounds take that the majority of the time.

I like most everyone enjoy rounds under four.

Club Rat