To a lot of us…talking about slow play on the golf course is a lot like discussing the weather…we can complain about it…but there’s not much we can do about it. However, recent well publicized examples of overreading greens, or figuring out the right yardage for an upcoming shot on the PGA Tour, has got us all talking about slow play more than ever. Solutions? That’s another matter.
Almost all of us agree that a 4 hour (or less) round of golf works out just fine. But if it drags out to 4 and a half hours or longer…it starts to grate on our nerves. A lot of leaning on our clubs, or sitting on our golf bag, or waiting for two groups to hit before you at a par three…all signs that you’re going to be seething with anger before you get to the 19thhole.
Many believe that most weekend golfers learn a lot from PGA touring pro’s…and it’s not always how to shape a shot, or hit out of a bunker. Unfortunately, it seems like more and more rec players are taking more waggles before each shot and scoping out the break from every conceivable angle before a five foot putt.
The days of Tucson courses sending out course rangers to try to speed up play are nearly gone. The last one I saw was at The Views Golf Club. And it’s a good thing…it gets more play than any privately owned course in town. Tucson City courses no longer have rangers. So, if you are following a group that has fallen a hole and a half behind, it often takes a brave soul to drive up and give them a polite nudge…very often at risk of personal injury or bodily harm
So, let’s assume that everyone is interested in fixing slow play and wants to speed things up. What can you and your foursome do about it? Ditch your headcovers the first time you take them off to hit. Just leave them off.Play ready golf. If you are the first guy ready, hit. Don’t wait for dawdlers. Once you start doing it, they’ll get the idea. Think about continuous putting, until you are in the hole…and keep the pen in.Take practice swings before it’s your turn to hit. When it’s your turn, take one.Don’t take your glove off after each shot. And if you are really trying to shorten your round, leave your glove on to putt. It will only take about a hole or two to get used to it.
So while the pro’s are looking at shot clocks, shot penalties and fines for taking too much time, other than a potential dustup in the clubhouse after the round, the weekend, time-sapping rec golfer doesn’t have much incentive to speed up. But if he watches you keep your glove on, or take one practice swing instead of three…he may hopefully get the idea. Hit ‘em straight…and hustle up.
Chip Shots
High school golf is back in full swing and by all accounts Salpointe Catholic HS will have another stellar team. Carlos Astiazaran recently led the Lancers to a lopsided victory over Douglas and Walden Grove August 27th, carding a 2 under par 34 at Randolph North. Max Krueger was just a shot behind at 35 and the team shot an impressive 2 over par 146…..Randolph Men’s Clubs Otilio Blanco Padilla got a hole in one on the 98 yard par 3 #13 at El Rio on August 4th. But, alas, he had not paid into the hole-in-one kitty and missed out on $345. Lesson learned….Budget cuts at Pima Community College have reduced it men’s and women’s golf teams to a shell of their former selves. The school administrators have said this is the last season for the two teams, and, unlike past seasons, will not be offering scholarships to players during its final season.
By Mike Boyd
