Brad's pieces says:
For me, the issue is less the Rolodex in my brain than the tempo and feel of my body. In Starbucks parlance, I’ve got the pace of three vente double-shot lattes in what really is a decaf game.
A big part of what I now try to do is simply slow myself down. On a golf course, everything happens at twice the speed that you’re prepared for.
This resonates with me as well. Unfortunately, I am of two minds in one broken down and untrainable golf body. One mindset is my enjoyment of the golf course design, maintenance and grounds issues, and that evaluation sort of rolodex of subjects and issues. But, that mind races during the course of the round. It detracts from my simple enjoyment of playing the game. I find that if I'm going to play decent for my skillset and find a level of satisfaction in my game (not to be confused with enjoyment for the game) , I have to somewhat ignore all the stuff in the rolodex, and as Brad says, 'slow myself down'.
But, when I do that, I miss design or other things I've learned about golf courses and their maintenance over the years and in one and done or infrequent play of superior courses, I then overlook or forget things that should be memorable. Sure, one can go with the basics of how- particularly template inspired holes- might be intended to be played in the classic sense which might factor into how you would 'try' to work the ball in your shot making attempts. But, to look for all of that stuff on one or two plays, I find I have to either concentrate on the design and forget playing as well as I'd find acceptable for me, or I have to get into the slowed down, clear the mind, think about striking the ball more repetitively mindset.
So, interior design VS GCA was a nice read for me.
Questions for Brad... In the slowed down mode, do you beleive this plays against many people saying rounds take too long?
I don't necessarily put the two together. I can still slow down mentally and get reasonably ready to hit when it is time to swing. Yet, I play with many fellows who know the best way to beat me in match play is 'slow play me'. Slow down in tempo for me can not be slow down in pace of play. I go freaking nuts when guys take more than 2-3 practice swings, plumb bob from both sides, mark foot and a halfers... etc. That then gives the rolodex time to spin, and get my easily distracted mind onto the other path and I start looking around for the architecture or course issues again and forget my feel for the game I'm playing...
and the other questions is;
Can raters play courses once, evaluate well and play well? Or is that a myth?