Adam Scott Begs For Slow Play Penalty

[Big Lex]

If the rules officials have the real-time tablet system for following the various groups' pace of play, could they give this information to the players proactively, rather than waiting to notify them when they are behind? Could there be a tablet on every tee which, when the group arrives, tells them whether they are on pace, how close they are to being behind, etc.? If I were a tournament player, I would prefer having this information to being interrupted by a verbal notification from someone that I just had a bad time or that I'm on the clock. 

The problem with pace of play is that people are being taught an approach and a method which leads to slow play. Directly, by sports psychologists, and indirectly, by what's shown on TV. Don't hit until you are committed. Think clearly and prepare. The Think Box and the Play Box., etc. The TV shows the leaders of tournaments, and what is shown on camera is alot of slow preparation. Discussions with the caddy, practice swings, long rituals when reading putts, marking the ball, lining up the line on the ball, consulting the yardage and greens books....then the careful pre-address routine, the address, the waggle, etc etc. 

Ok, what else are they gonna show? Start the camera on the backswing and cut away after it lands, I don't know...that would probably be strange and boring TV. 

The announcers talk about how interesting it is to hear the conversations, etc. 

And it is interesting. But we all see golf this way, constantly. Slow, deliberate. 

I can't blame them, because they are playing for a lot of money, and big championships. 

But what you have to do to play a round in 2-3 hours is so much faster than this, I don't think people realize it. You arrive at the ball, get the yardage, pull the club, and hit, all very quickly. 

 

Edited June 28, 2021 by Big Lex

[colin007]

My number one biggest issue with slow play on tour is the players who get to their ball and then don't even begin to figure out their shot until the other player behind them has hit. 

[Double Mocha Man]

14 minutes ago, colin007 said:

My number one biggest issue with slow play on tour is the players who get to their ball and then don't even begin to figure out their shot until the other player behind them has hit. 

This is where you DVR the tournament and play it back at double speed... those 40 second eternities stewing over the shot become 20 second quickies.  Wish I could DVR some of the guys I play with...  😁

[DaveP043]

28 minutes ago, Big Lex said:

If the rules officials have the real-time tablet system for following the various groups' pace of play, could they give this information to the players proactively, rather than waiting to notify them when they are behind? Could there be a tablet on every tee which, when the group arrives, tells them whether they are on pace, how close they are to being behind, etc.? If I were a tournament player, I would prefer having this information to being interrupted by a verbal notification from someone that I just had a bad time or that I'm on the clock. 

To a huge extent, the PGA Tour is owned by the PGA Tour players, so they essentially set their own Pace of Play policy.  Consequently, they CAN do anything they choose to agree on.  The Players Advisory Board has apparently just voted to disallow green-reading books, as an example of the self-governing nature of the tour.  Its just my opinion, of course, but it seems like they don't want to tighten the PoP rules any further because too many players can imagine themselves wanting (needing?) to take extra time over shots, so they don't want to make slow-play penalties any easier to incur.

[saevel25]

I will say this... The senior tour had 10 minute tee times with two players only out, and they played at a glacial pace. I think they were on pace for like 5 hour rounds. This is just absurd. 

3 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

To a huge extent, the PGA Tour is owned by the PGA Tour players, so they essentially set their own Pace of Play policy.  Consequently, they CAN do anything they choose to agree on.  The Players Advisory Board has apparently just voted to disallow green-reading books, as an example of the self-governing nature of the tour.  Its just my opinion, of course, but it seems like they don't want to tighten the PoP rules any further because too many players can imagine themselves wanting (needing?) to take extra time over shots, so they don't want to make slow-play penalties any easier to incur.

I think it is more of a group mentality, you don't want to be the nail sticking out to far. 

The easiest way to fix this is to curb slow pay in junior golf. Teach them to play fast, then its more likely golfers would build the habit. 

[Double Mocha Man]

2 minutes ago, saevel25 said:

The easiest way to fix this is to curb slow pay in junior golf. Teach them to play fast, then its more likely golfers would build the habit. 

I agree.  Change First Tee to Fast Tee.  I learned to play fast as a kid because there were growly, intimidating adults playing behind me.

[iacas]

43 minutes ago, Big Lex said:

If the rules officials have the real-time tablet system for following the various groups' pace of play, could they give this information to the players proactively, rather than waiting to notify them when they are behind? Could there be a tablet on every tee which, when the group arrives, tells them whether they are on pace, how close they are to being behind, etc.?

On the LPGA Tour? No way.

Changing Junior golf will take decades to show results on even the PGA Tour.

[boogielicious]

1 hour ago, colin007 said:

My number one biggest issue with slow play on tour is the players who get to their ball and then don't even begin to figure out their shot until the other player behind them has hit. 

Agree. It is odd that they don’t start their process as soon as the get to their ball.

[Double Mocha Man]

12 minutes ago, boogielicious said:

Agree. It is odd that they don’t start their process as soon as the get to their ball.

I have a friend from L.A. who, when he comes up to visit, we get in alot of golf.  He is the slowest player in the universe.  We played junior, high school and college golf together.  (He progressivly got slower)

I asked him why he won't start his process when he gets to the ball... he wants everyone watching him going through his routine.  And especially, do not look away when he's hitting his ball.  And no whispering/chatting while he is lining up his shot.  He has bat ears and can hear you quietly yawn at 30 yards. 

Before you say to ditch the guy, he's an old childhood bud.  I only have to suffer him on the golf course once every two years or so.

Edited June 28, 2021 by Double Mocha Man

[Bonvivant]

On 6/27/2021 at 6:11 AM, iacas said:

That’s not how that works. So no, you couldn’t.

Why not? If I am deliberately slow, to the point where the group gets put on the clock, and then I play faster than normal after, the other players in the group have to follow the guideline of 40 seconds once they are at their ball and it is their turn to play, no?

On 6/27/2021 at 7:25 AM, boogielicious said:

FWIW, it’s not a hard rule yet, but a guideline in the RoG unfortunately.

I always forget that this isn't a rule, mostly because I think it should be. They should have 1 volunteer with each group in charge of timing the player whose turn it is from the first tee box. Obviously if a plane is flying over or a squirrel is messing around near your ball then you have the same piece of verbiage in there in the current suggestion. The wind picking up should be specifically called out in the rule as a NON-exception to the 40 second rule.

 

I absolutely hate the crowds hooting and hollering when I watch golf on TV, but after watching the NBA playoffs and seeing people count at Giannis Antetokounmpo while he is trying to shoot a free throw, I would be OK if this happened to the slow golfers. Imagine the whole crowd starting at like the 30 second mark and then just hounding the slow player, chanting as it got closer to 40, really making a scene about how absurdly long they are taking.

[iacas]

11 minutes ago, Bonvivant said:

Why not?

Because you can’t “make others incur penalties.” Duh.

[Shindig]

1 hour ago, Bonvivant said:

I absolutely hate the crowds hooting and hollering when I watch golf on TV, but after watching the NBA playoffs and seeing people count at Giannis Antetokounmpo while he is trying to shoot a free throw, I would be OK if this happened to the slow golfers. Imagine the whole crowd starting at like the 30 second mark and then just hounding the slow player, chanting as it got closer to 40, really making a scene about how absurdly long they are taking.

I think something like this happened:  at the 2002 Open, Sergio Garcia (I think it was Sergio) was waggling and regripping quite often and a few times, the crowd started counting.  

[Double Mocha Man]

5 minutes ago, Shindig said:

I think something like this happened:  at the 2002 Open, Sergio Garcia (I think it was Sergio) was waggling and regripping quite often and a few times, the crowd started counting.  

It cured Sergio.

[Billy Z]

9 hours ago, Double Mocha Man said:

I agree.  Change First Tee to Fast Tee.  I learned to play fast as a kid because there were growly, intimidating adults playing behind me.

I don't think the word 'fast' should be included in pace of play. I like the term ready golf. I don't go out to play golf so I can play it fast because that would take away enjoyment. Just the same, our group is one of the most 'ready golf' groups on the course. If we were left to our own and not held up, we would probably finish in 3 hours. We don't feel like we hurry through it but we get the job done in a comfortable fashion, but not fast.

[iacas]

“Ready” golf has no place in match play, and less in competition except in certain situations.

Day to day, when you’re competing against yourself at most, sure.

Efficient players can both follow the rules AND play quickly.

[colin007]

On 6/29/2021 at 6:42 AM, iacas said:

Efficient players can both follow the rules AND play quickly.

But Erik, they're playing for so much on the line

Kevin Kisner played an insanely-fast final round at British Open

---

Kevin Kisner was off...

 

[boogielicious]

2 hours ago, colin007 said:

But Erik, they're playing for so much on the line

Kevin Kisner played an insanely-fast final round at British Open

---

Kevin Kisner was off...

 

That is not fast for a single. I usually do 18 in around 2 hours taking my time.

[Double Mocha Man]

8 minutes ago, boogielicious said:

That is not fast for a single. I usually do 18 in around 2 hours taking my time.

He had to wait on his slow caddie.  😁