[John Kavanaugh]

Had a new, for me, slow play experience recently.  This gentleman had a new set of clubs (sounded like a regular occurrence for him) with covers on each club, which he fastidiously replaced after every shot, despite small trembles in his hands.  It probably added 30 seconds (but it seemed like a few minutes) to every shot just to get his head covers back on.  Add in a propensity to tell stories, and it dragged out a bit, or more than a bit.

Now that we have eliminated the onset of Parkinson's are there any situations where compassion for slow play is in order?

[Ira Fishman]

If the golf shop or on-course ranger prove ineffective, I would of course ask nicely to play through - assuming that it is clear in front of them.


If that did not work, I would just skip a hole and move past them and return to play the missed hole later if possible.


Slow play is the ultimate sin in golf.
It defines disrespect, discourteousness and selfishness.


Anyone who says get over it" or "where else do you need to go" is basically admitting that they are guilty of slow play themselves...;-)


Like someone esle said, how would you feel if you were stuck behind a driver going 40 mph in a 55 mph zone?


Doubt you would just turn on some music and enjoy the day.
You would honk, flash your lights, make gestures, then if that did not work, you would simply pass his ass when you can assuming that traffic is OK ahead.


Sympathisers of slow play are guilty by association....;-)

Ian,


You just described my wife when she is behind someone driving 75 in a 70 zone. And just the other day, we were on a long Par 4 with the group ahead on the green, and she said "It is 210 uphill" implying that I should just go ahead and play. She is right about my game unfortunately.


Ira

[jeffwarne]

[quote author=Ian Mackenzie link=topic=70169.msg1686005#msg1686005 date=1630438338

"Like someone esle said, how would you feel if you were stuck behind a driver going 40 mph in a 55 mph zone?


Doubt you would just turn on some music and enjoy the day.
You would honk, flash your lights, make gestures, then if that did not work, you would simply pass his ass when you can assuming that traffic is OK ahead."



jeffwarne reply:

Not defending slow play or left hand lane drivers..
but is that really expected behavior behind someone going 40mph in a 55 zone?
There are many reasons why someone might be going 40 on a 2 lane highway,including weather, older driver, older car,towing, oversized vehicles etc.,novice driver etc., and it's the legal mnimum on Interstates in many states.


Honking or making gestures? really?
seems like it could cause a wreck or escalate the situation.
Option 4 makes sense-maybe better as a first option.

[John Kavanaugh]

The level of dishonesty on this thread saddens me.


Does anyone believe that the OP was talking about a group of Irishmen when he called them "foreigners".


Come up on someone going the speed limit in the left lane and all bets are off. The 40 mph example is unnecessary exaggeration.


Anyone who calls the pro shop at a private club to snitch on a fellow member ain't no member of mine.

[Kalen Braley]

Had a new, for me, slow play experience recently.  This gentleman had a new set of clubs (sounded like a regular occurrence for him) with covers on each club, which he fastidiously replaced after every shot, despite small trembles in his hands.  It probably added 30 seconds (but it seemed like a few minutes) to every shot just to get his head covers back on.  Add in a propensity to tell stories, and it dragged out a bit, or more than a bit.

Now that we have eliminated the onset of Parkinson's are there any situations where compassion for slow play is in order?

Barney,

That reminds me of a story..

A Doctor, Lawyer, and an Engineer are playing golf and they come across a group of hackers who are spraying it everywhere and holding up play.  They call the ranger over and he explains its a group of firefighters who went blind in the process of putting out the clubhouse years ago, so in return they let em play whenever they like... free of charge.

So the Doctor says: Well that's just terrific, let them know i'll see them free of charge if they have any health issues.
The lawyer chimes in: Let them know if they run into any legal trouble to call me and i'll do their case pro-bono.
And the Engineer retorts: Why don't they just play at night when no one's around?

[Ian Mackenzie]

The level of dishonesty on this thread saddens me.


Does anyone believe that the OP was talking about a group of Irishmen when he called them "foreigners".


Come up on someone going the speed limit in the left lane and all bets are off. The 40 mph example is unnecessary exaggeration.


Anyone who calls the pro shop at a private club to snitch on a fellow member ain't no member of mine.

In contrast, any member at a private club who does not let faster players play through "aint no member of mine"...;-)


Clubs are now cracking down on players like you, JK.


First offense, a polite emial from the pro telling you you played in 4:17 when it is expected you play in under 4:00.
Second offense, a letter from the board for your second infraction.
Third, you lose playing privileges for 2 weeks.


You Don't like it, leave: https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/270b90f9-df03-44b5-b9f2-42cb509477dd

[Jon Sweet]

I dislike waiting on almost every shot, but we play fast so sometimes it is not the "fault" of the groups in front of us. But what really makes me uncomfortable is when we are paired up with slower players and see that we are holding people up. I never quite know what to say to speed them up so I usually end up getting my wife pissed at me because I say something to her even though she plays fast. It particularly throws me for a loop when we are playing with friends.


Ira

There is nothing you can say to a slow golfer that will make them faster because they will assure you they aren’t the slow golfer.

[John Kavanaugh]

I don't take for granted that slow play is not a problem in my life.

[John Kavanaugh]

The level of dishonesty on this thread saddens me.


Does anyone believe that the OP was talking about a group of Irishmen when he called them "foreigners".


Come up on someone going the speed limit in the left lane and all bets are off. The 40 mph example is unnecessary exaggeration.


Anyone who calls the pro shop at a private club to snitch on a fellow member ain't no member of mine.

In contrast, any member at a private club who does not let faster players play through "aint no member of mine"...;-)


Clubs are now cracking down on players like you, JK.


First offense, a polite emial from the pro telling you you played in 4:17 when it is expected you play in under 4:00.
Second offense, a letter from the board for your second infraction.
Third, you lose playing privileges for 2 weeks.


You Don't like it, leave: https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/270b90f9-df03-44b5-b9f2-42cb509477dd

Ian,


How can I possibly take you serious when you came on here and explained that you played poorly in a professional tournament because you were trying to keep pace? So tell me, what cost you the recent club championship? Did you know you were going to lose before the match ever started? I always find your litany of excuses entertaining.

[Ian Mackenzie]

The level of dishonesty on this thread saddens me.


Does anyone believe that the OP was talking about a group of Irishmen when he called them "foreigners".


Come up on someone going the speed limit in the left lane and all bets are off. The 40 mph example is unnecessary exaggeration.


Anyone who calls the pro shop at a private club to snitch on a fellow member ain't no member of mine.

In contrast, any member at a private club who does not let faster players play through "aint no member of mine"...;-)


Clubs are now cracking down on players like you, JK.


First offense, a polite emial from the pro telling you you played in 4:17 when it is expected you play in under 4:00.
Second offense, a letter from the board for your second infraction.
Third, you lose playing privileges for 2 weeks.


You Don't like it, leave: https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/270b90f9-df03-44b5-b9f2-42cb509477dd

Ian,


How can I possibly take you serious when you came on here and explained that you played poorly in a professional tournament because you were trying to keep pace? So tell me, what cost you the recent club championship? Did you know you were going to lose before the match ever started? I always find your litany of excuses entertaining.

Huh?


Well, over this past weekend, at the age of 58, I lost in the finals of the club championship in a 36 hole match play duel that ended with my opponent rolling in a 18' birdie putt on the last hole to win 1-up. ...After beating two 33 year old ex-college golfers the day before.


Had to play 18-36-36 in 93 degree 80%+ humidity over 3 days walking, of course.

ALL out matches, btw, were two-balls and played in around 3:00-3:15.

Regarding my perfpormance in the 2020 Jamaican Open...well, i was in outer space and rounds of 5:15 for 3-balls make me come out of my bubble. Plus, I was on vacation...;-)...an interloper if you will. That's why I enjoy being an advanced recreational player who knows just enough about the game to trash slow play on internet discussion forums...;-)...

[Carl Rogers]

I am a quicker than average player, but I am very worried about "road rage" arriving at the the golf course.  Most states in the US are carry - conceal.  I tread lightly on the slow play problem.

[John Kavanaugh]

33 year old ex-college golfer. Just say Douche next time. We get it.

[John Kavanaugh]

Perhaps if they had skipped playing golf in college they would be a member of a first tier club by now.

[Ian Mackenzie]

33 year old ex-college golfer. Just say Douche next time. We get it.

Back under your bridge now, JK; it's nap time.


BTW, "douche" is not a proper noun and hence need not be capitalized....

[Ted Sturges]

Club Pro Guy always has solid advice...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1oLvu4RyCQ

[Jerry Kluger]

I played TOC on Monday and the Jubilee yesterday and because of Covid St Andrews has instituted a policy that whoever books a time controls all 4 spots no matter if he is a single, a two ball, a three ball or a four ball. They will not ask the player who controls the time to allow other players to join his or her group. So needless to say there are many groups on the course with less than 4 players so pace of play is very slow except for the four ball.  Plus it makes getting to play TOC very difficult despite the fact that there are less players from outside of the UK.

[MCirba]

I am a quicker than average player, but I am very worried about "road rage" arriving at the the golf course.  Most states in the US are carry - conceal.  I tread lightly on the slow play problem.

Carl,


You know, in normal times my joke about the death penalty for slow play would be seen as hyperbole to make a point.


Your cautionary post and recent news stories about violence on golf courses for whatever reason makes me rethink that and I'll refrain from such careless commentary in the future.

[Peter Pallotta]

For years it amused me to read someone visiting Rome complaining about all the 'tourists' -- as if they weren't tourists themselves. And then one day during a particularly bad commute I was really raging about all the 'traffic' -- until I realized that I myself was partly the cause of it. I'm embarrassed to think back to all the fuming and muttering and criticizing I did when stuck behind a slow group. I have now seen the true enemy, and he's me!! To wreck my peace of mind and spew bile into the ether for what -- having to spend an extra 30 or 45 minutes on a golf course?! That's crazy.

[Tom_Doak]

The worst part of slow play is that some groups will insist on hitting from the tee quickly and then speeding up to their balls in their golf carts so that they can sit there and complain about how slow the guys in front of them are.


If they were walking and enjoying themselves, they would stroll up to their balls in the fairway, and the group in front might be putting out.


I do recognize this is not the case for all those who complain about slow play, but it does explain some circumstances.

[Ira Fishman]

The worst part of slow play is that some groups will insist on hitting from the tee quickly and then speeding up to their balls in their golf carts so that they can sit there and complain about how slow the guys in front of them are.


If they were walking and enjoying themselves, they would stroll up to their balls in the fairway, and the group in front might be putting out.


I do recognize this is not the case for all those who complain about slow play, but it does explain some circumstances.

A fair point, but you may not have played Castle Stuart or Kingsbarns recently. Walking and painfully slow. We had the same problem at Streamsong Black and PH4.


Ira

[John Kavanaugh]

Ira,


I've noticed that most women prefer not to play trough a foursome of men. Is this your wife's preference?

[Ira Fishman]

Ira,


I've noticed that most women prefer not to play trough a foursome of men. Is this your wife's preference?

Sheryl has no hesitation at all especially if there is a clear gap ahead. Her closest to a hole in one was playing through at Dooks number 4 (kick off right bank to a foot). I generally suggest just skipping the hole because odds are that I will hit a crappy shot. What really ticks her off is when men assume that her group is holding up play. One of our members got “written up” for jumping ahead of her on the first tee—she did not say anything, but the Starter was not pleased.


Ira

[Ira Fishman]

A Mediocre Golfer’s “Principles” for Prompt Play:


**Always keep an extra ball in your pocket for when you hit the first one in an unrecoverable place. And one for good measure for your partner.
**Never have to go back to your bag because you have run out of tees or ball markers.
**If you need a snack, do not stick in the bottom of the side pocket.
**No practice swings unless you are implementing a life changing lesson.
**No practice strokes for putts (no exceptions).
**Finish putting whenever a playing partner is raking a bunker.
**Do not ask your partner to mark his or her ball unless it is directly in your line.
**Leave your bag in the most efficient place to walk to the next tee.
**No range finders; if you cannot get a good distance from a nearby sprinkler head or the like, give it your best guess.
**Never switch clubs even if you think you pulled the wrong one.
**Never restart your routine even if you know that you should.
**Even if playing on an empty course, never survey a putt from the side or the other side.
**Fix every ball mark knowing that it will speed up play for those behind you.
**Leave the pin in.
**Offer to rake for your partner.
**Never take a cart on cart path only days unless medically necessary. And then bring at least four clubs to every shot.
**Never walk from your ball up toward the green even if you are eyeing a career round.
**Avoid walking next to the slowest walker in your group.
**Avoid all discussions about politics and investment advice.
**Remember that being 75 yards ahead is fine as long as you are not in danger or eyesight of your partner.
**Pick up if you are out of the hole or at the handicap max.
**Focus on getting to the post round drinks after hole 14.


Ira

[John Kavanaugh]

I hope the above was copied from a magazine. The quality of its content is beneath you.

[Ira Fishman]

I hope the above was copied from a magazine. The quality of its content is beneath you.

Nope. All me. Btw, I actually follow all of them pretty much more or less faithfully. I sometimes lapse on the one about discussing politics but only when playing with a good friend. But it bears pointing out that I seldom keep score and no longer play for money. Other than when I play with my wife who due to our archaic club rules cannot tee off before 10, I am first or second off the tee. The only problem with that is the bar is not open when we finish at 9:45 or so.


Ira

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