Tee times and pace of play

[Tommy Williamsen]

If it takes a group 5 hours to play 18, what does it matter  if they start 15 minutes after the group in front of them, or  7 minutes?

In all the times I have played courses with fifteen minute tee times I have yet to see anyone play remotely close to five hours, even at Ballyhack. Folks generally get around in four hours or less.

[Michael Felton]

If you think about it, this makes perfect sense. If you have a par 3 on your course that takes the average 4 ball 12 minutes to play, then if you have 8 minute tee times and everyone plays at the same pace, you're going to get back ups. First group plays that hole in 12 minutes. The second group is going to get there 8 minutes after they start and 4 minutes before they finish. They will wait 4 minutes. Next group is going to get to the tee when they are 8 minutes from finishing the hole. Group behind that will reach the tee as the third group is teeing off. Keep that going and you have a huge back up. I don't think you can realistically have tee time gaps shorter than the time it takes to play the longest par 3 without ending up in trouble.


So either you have to widen the gaps, handle the slow play backups or get people to play that hole faster.

[Mark Chaplin]

You won’t get 2 balls at public courses in the U.S. Jeff Warne posted that his club has them and I wonder how prevalent they are across a broad spectrum of U.S. privates?



Around 80% of annual my golf is two ball foursomes, it’s pretty rare in the U.K. bar at a dozen or so old school clubs, I guess it’s unheard of in the USA.

[jeffwarne]

If it takes a group 5 hours to play 18, what does it matter  if they start 15 minutes after the group in front of them, or  7 minutes?

If you're referring to my post:
I'm referring to outside groups in the off season where they are the only ones on the course, and they are taking pictures, stopping at the halfway house etc. looking for balls etc.
They wouldn't be on the course on a day that was even remotely busy, or a day where tee times are even assigned.
They lose track of time because there is no one behind or in front for a reference.
It happens and I'm certainly not going to push a group around on an empty course.


But then I forgot, everybody on GCA plays sub 4 hour 4 balls.....
except in GCA outings ...on courses that occupy 1/2 the acreage of the course I'm referring to.

[Forrest Richardson]

Not many realize there is a USGA Pace Rating available to all courses. Developed by Bill Yates.


Go buy his book: OUT OF TIME