Slow play – killing other’s enjoyment.
Last week’s article looked at the curse of slow play on the
PGA Tour, the culprits, and what is being done about it – which is basically
nothing. Let’s now turn our attention to the pace of play, here in Pattaya.
Pattaya golf is different for many reasons. We sometimes play
behind five and six-balls, we host both competition and non-competition golf,
our golfers represent many nationalities and cultures, and many of us use
Pattaya as our introduction to the game. Given there is no single entity
overseeing golf in Pattaya, it’s no wonder we struggle to have all golfers play
at a similar pace. But try we must.
First up, let’s deal with what I hear many Farang complain
about; Thai or Korean five or six-balls. The number of times this actually
happens is minimal. And when it does, they are often faster than some Farang
four-balls. It is not a huge cause of frustration, nor is it something we can do
anything about. In short, it’s not worth worrying about.
Second, if it wasn’t for the Koreans and Japanese arriving in
huge numbers in high-season, and spending what they do, many courses would be
forced to close as the Farang spend wouldn’t be sufficient to keep them open.
Think of that the next time you encounter a Korean five-ball.
What we can do something about is the biggest cause of slow
play; a minority of golfers that exist in nearly every golf society that
invariably hold up play. These are the Furyks and the Nas of the amateur game
here in Pattaya. These are the ignorant and the not-so-ignorant who don’t give a
monkey’s. These are the real culprits. It is they who should be encouraged to
change their ways.
I refer to those golfers whose habits include one or more of
the following:
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Not being ready to actually “pull the trigger” when it’s
their turn.
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Taking an inordinate time to complete a pre-shot routine.
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Not preparing during delays, e.g. determining distance,
wind, type of shot etc.
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Not taking a selection of clubs after approach shots –
insists on waiting for the caddie.
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Not determining their line of putt until it’s their turn.
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Insist on marking their ball after every missed putt,
including those less than two feet.
We should be tolerant of those new to the game who don’t know
they are slow, who are not aware of the ways to speed up play. It should fall to
any experienced golfer in the group, no matter their handicap, to inform the
ignorant of the error of their ways. Whether this is done after the round over a
beer or during the course of play is a judgement call.
As for the experienced golfer who knows they are slow, but
refuses to change their ways, they risk alienation. These golfers need to
realise their habits will be tolerated, but only up to a limit. That limit is
reached when their pace of play adversely affects the play of their playing
partners, as well as those following. If it continues, then the offending golfer
should be suspended for whatever time it takes for him/her to change their ways.
No golfer, no matter how well regarded off the course, has the right to impose
himself on playing partners in such a manner.
Rounds of golf in Pattaya are rarely medal rounds. They
should take on average no more than four-and-a-half hours – with or without
carts. Notwithstanding, with the best will in the world, any four-ball can lose
ground. All it takes is a lost ball or two and the gap in front soon becomes a
full hole, especially if the trouble occurs on a par-three.
Having lost ground to the field, what can a four-ball do to
pick up its pace? The trick here is to recommend actions that do not impact on
existing pre-shot routines, so it’s not a big deal, not yet. This is phase one.
Phase two, changing someone’s bad, time-consuming habits, is best done over a
beer.
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If playing stableford, have players pick-up when their
score on any one hole exceeds net one-over-par. At this point their
stableford score for that hole will be zero.
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Introduce “ready golf”; a common term used to encourage
whoever is ready to go ahead and play their shot, whether it’s their turn or
not.
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As soon as the first player putts out, have them proceed
to the next hole and tee off, immediately. Some players may regard this
action – of leaving the green before a player has putted out – as impolite.
I assure any reader, the act of continually holding up the four-ball behind
is a far greater breach of etiquette than leaving a green “early.”
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Encourage players not to mark their cards when it’s their
honour. Have them tee-off first.
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While waiting on the tee, or at any point through the
green, work out what club you are going to play, and how. When it comes to
your turn, you should be good to go. To those who use distance measuring
devices, don’t wait until the green is clear before taking your measurement.
Pick on another target to give you the info required. You need the exact
yardage? Really – you are that good? Yeah right!
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If you need to read your putt from the other side of the
hole, do so while waiting your turn.
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Pay attention to the line of tee shots, not just your
own.
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If doubt exists over whether a ball is in play, or may be
difficult to find, always play a provisional ball. Please note, if your ball
is believed to be in a hazard, the Rules do not permit the playing of a
provisional ball. If you’re playing with a PSC group, however, your Local
Rules state you must play a provisional ball, regardless.
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If carting on a day when they are restricted to cart
paths, please, please take more than one club with you when unsure of your
lie or distance.
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People sharing golf carts should use them as a way to
play faster, not as a way to be lazy and selfish. If four guys are playing
in two carts, it is not necessary to drive to everyone’s ball. The player
playing second can grab a few clubs and walk rather than wait.
Appreciate that the new golfer in your group may never have
received tuition on pace of play. If this appears the case, then it is beholden
upon the experienced golfer to pass on appropriate guidance.
One great tip for saving time on putting greens – watch Rory
McIlroy the next time he is on TV and copy his putting routine, his practise
putting stroke in particular.
If this slow-play message applies to you, or perhaps to one
of your regular playing partners, have them read this article in the hope it may
change their behaviour. C’mon you slow golfers, plea se change – the rest of us
have had a gutsful!
Golfnutter
