Sheehy is right of course. Its proper that 1s have no standing on a golf course. However, its also proper to allow a 1 thru if you are holding him up and he has room ahead. This is the case for any size group behind. In any case, Sheehy is one of the quicker players I know and I know he has to put up with some frustration quite a bit while playing.
Pace of play in the UK is becoming more and more a problem. There is no question the game is getting slower as the culture of the game has shifted away from 4somes toward 4ball and medal golf. Some clubs have it basically sorted by sticking to 2balls, but even then (at Deal and Rye) I have been caught more than once taking 4 hours as a 2ball because folks in front were knuckleheads - and it wasn't always visitors (though that is usually the case). I have had 5 hour games in the UK and not just associated wiith GCA.com events
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As Paul suggests, more people are not following basic courtesy by not playing fast as they can (or at least not far off) and not allowing people through. When I first started playing golf in the UK back in 1991, it was rare for a group looking for a ball or generally just playing obviously slower not to allow the group behind through. Now I think one can expect not to be allowed through.
That said, it isn't just poor golfer behaviour causing problems, as the type of game as shifted toward 4ball, courses have narrowed and rough is more brutal. Sometimes this is a conscious decision on the part of clubs to keep courses "championship" ready and sometimes its down to budget pressures. Of course, this means that in high season it can often be the case with a 4ball that on practically every hole someone is looking for a ball - this can add an incredible amount of time to a round. Playing as a 2ball greatly reduces the risk of lost time due to lost balls. I expect budget pressures to continue and also expect the golfers new to the game from the 90s forward to continue playing the game as they learned it . Therefore, I don't see much quicker golf happening in the future unless golfers choose to play more 2ball golf. That of course would also mean less revenue for many clubs (unless green fees were significantly hiked) and therefore even more budget pressure which will result in less chance of rough being properly maintained.
The upshot is I think a few things are critical:
#1. Golfers need to be more thoughtful of others. Not only should one keep up, but also be aware and allow quicker folks through. I guarantee that after a summer of standing aside golfers would play faster.
#2. Golfers need to consider which type of course they are playing and adjust their behaviour accordingly. For instance, when playing a tough course with brutal rough, why not drop a ball in the fairway and play 3 after a quick look for lost balls? Also, maybe its wiser to play tough courses as 2balls (or 3balls even) rather than 4balls. Okay, that might mean groups can't play the exact game they want, but that is a small sacrifice to keep the game moving.
#3. Consider picking up when caught in extreme difficulty and it is obvious you are dusted. Or perhaps, if one wants "to get their money worth" drop in a lovely spot and hit a few more from there. Its understandble thats folks want to experience the course fully while visiting new courses, but golfers have a higher duty to make the game enjoyable for all - within reason of course. Whatever you do, don't make guys still in the hole wait for you when you are out of the hole. That means dropping the medal attitude and focusing on the actual game you are playing.
#4. Don't play medal games unless you have to. If you want to keep a card, play Stableford. That makes #3 very obvious. Whatever you do, don't play two different games at once. IE, don't keep a card and play matchplay. This is inconsiderate and not playing as fast as you can.
#5. For any decent size group, organizers need to be aware of who the problem players are and put them out last with instructions to allow groups through. The last thing visiting groups want to do is clog up a course and get glares or worse, meet confrontation back in the house. Think of your organizer, slow play can cause him great embarassment and grief.
Ciao