Seeing as how this is a golf architecture site and all, I am curious what all of you think of the connection between golf design and various maintenance practices vs. pace of play. Specifically, I am just speechless at the woeful pace of play now going on with the "marquee" grouping of Woods, Harrington and Beem: They have just completed their 11th hole of the day exactly 3 hours and 15 minutes after teeing off.
Now, in light of the finish to last week's tournament at Firestone, am I the only one who finds this sort of astounding? Other than the obvious tension that comes with contending in major tournaments, which I get, I'd be interested in learning what 5 specific design elements everyone here thinks influences this typeof SLOW play.
This can include maintenance elements as well as design elements, for surely the gnarly rough that is confronting these players at Hazeltine is a major factor among other things. I have a few ideas of my own but I'm most curious what everyone else thinks.