New Book: OUT OF TIME — By Bill yates

[Forrest Richardson]

Bill Yates was a great friend, and I miss his wit and wisdom. He was, without much doubt, the "Guru of Pace of Play". Bill was a scientist, studying time and motion effects — and affects. He devoted the last part of his life to golf. We all should be grateful as he dispelled many common myths about pace, offering instead that FLOW is the key to success. "Quality" of the golf experience, according to Bill, is the goal. And, in golf, we rarely see this as the goal. Instead, professionals, players, committees, architects and "the all knowing course know-it-all" has the answer, and these "made up" policies usually suck. ("Suck", by the way, is not a word Bill would have used.)

Buy his book, written shortly before his passing. It is quite good. In my view over the years, more than 90% of the participants here are fully misguided on pace of play — I dare you all:

https://www.amazon.com/OUT-TIME-shows-ultimate-experience/dp/0578639815/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=out+of+time+bill+yates&qid=1590118896&s=movies-tv&sr=8-1

[Pete_Pittock]

only 11 left on Amazon

[Jeff Schley]

only 11 left on Amazon

Now 10.

[Adam Lawrence]

Bill was a great guy

[Jeff_Brauer]

Okay, I bit and bought it.  I hope it contains something new, as I did look at a lot of his older work.

[Erik J. Barzeski]

Four left.

[Chris Cupit]

One 

[Philip Gordillo]

Bought the "last one" but there is still one left.  Rum and Wine cloud judgment.   Hope I learn something.

[Mark_Fine]

Bill was a great guy and had brilliant ideas about pace of play.  I will always remember many special rounds of golf with him.  Have to buy his book. 

[Forrest Richardson]

I know Olivia (Bill's widow) will be happy to hear they sold. Maybe I can get her to ship more off to Amazon. To answer Jeff's question (concern) I believe this book distills much of Bill's wisdom down to some classic fables with regard to pace. So, form that perspective, it's "new" in format even if some of the information you may already have at hand.

One of Bill's most famous "moves" was his SLOWING of play at Pebble Beach. It was just one of 13 measures that he implemented for Pebble Beach Companies over the course of a year. He worked with the grounds staff to find the most diabolical cup locations at the 6th, 5th and 4th. And he pushed the guest tees wayyyyy back on No. 6...all in an effort to get just two groups at No. 7. Prior to this it was commonplace for there to be three groups (at once) all on No. 7 ..... One group putting, one group waiting to hit, and the third leaving No. 6 green. By slowing play before No. 7 he made the round so much more enjoyable. Two groups — and a wait — was not an issue at No. 7 because everyone wants a photo, and that takes 5 or more minutes. The caddies all know this, and so the routine is to kill time with photos and then get ready to hit tee shots.

Bill often said, as long as you're playing (think No. 6 as an example), you're happy. It's when you get to your ball (or a tee) and wait a long time that everything unravels.

FLOW is the key. Even though speed can be achieved with certain measures, rarely does the typical golf manager think about anything besides speed.

[Forrest Richardson]

Olivia Yates says more books will be at Amazon by the end of May

[Tyler Kearns]

Olivia Yates says more books will be at Amazon by the end of May

Amazon.com was not allowing the book to be shipped to Canada, I hope that changes because I would really like to read this book.


Tyler

[Jeff_Brauer]

Just got mine last night.  Do I have to read it at a fast rate, or is reading slowly ok?

[JMEvensky]

Just got mine last night.  Do I have to read it at a fast rate, or is reading slowly ok?

Just make sure to keep up with the readers in front of you.

[Forrest Richardson]

The book is back on Amazon, as I just heard from Bill's wife, Olivia.

[Erik J. Barzeski]

I feel like I'm going to have to re-read it. I feel like I missed out on a bunch of what I should have taken away from the book.


Off the top of my head:
- There are five causes of slow play (I'll use that word, even though 4:30 can feel like better pacing and flow than a 4:00 round)
- Golfers are just one of the five reasons.
- Par five followed by a par three is bad, especially in the first four holes.
- Don't let golfers hit when the fairway is clear or earlier than their tee time slot.
- Maintenance, pro shop employees, etc. are responsible for pacing too.
- Hole locations and/or hazards and other stuff can affect how quickly people play a hole, and sometimes opposite of what you might think.
- Signage is important.
- "Keeping up with the group ahead" is bad (but I'm not sure why - are they supposed to slow down on purpose?)
- A twosome on a crowded course of foursomes is bad.
- The Brits don't play faster than Americans.


That's all I can remember. I plan to loan my copy to the golf course I frequent most often, and I asked GoodReads to add it to their library.

[JohnVDB]

Bill was a great man.  I met him a few times when he was out doing time studies and at the USGA for a talk.  Having monitored players for over twenty five years I rnejoyed discussing topics with him and getting his views.


I just ordered the book off Amazon.

[Mark Smolens]

Just got mine last night.  Do I have to read it at a fast rate, or is reading slowly ok?

As long as your lips aren’t moving while you read, no one will be able to tell