Dear Member,
The Men’s & Ladies committees have had several complaints lately about the pace of play in some competitions and that “slow play” is becoming more frequent.
The committees remind all players that they should take responsibility for the speed of play in their group, not just the low marker.
It’s not as important to complete your round in less than four hours, but rather to keep up with the group ahead.
This can be done in numerous ways:
Speed of Play
- Park your buggy on the exit side of the green, nearest to the next tee.
- Mark your card/phone on the next tee whilst other players are hitting.
- Play a provisional ball whenever your ball may be lost. (It saves on considerable time to play a second shot that is not needed than to walk back three minutes later.)
- Make your club selection and complete your practice swings before it is your turn to hit.
- Stop searching for ball after three minutes. (Would you know when three minutes is up?)
- Call the following group through when you feel your search for the ball is likely to delay them.
- Leave the player with the lost ball to look on their own after one or two minutes (when the chance of finding it is remote) so as you can prepare for your own shot.
- After putting, quickly declare whether marking or continuing. Immediate warning for the next person putting allows for early preparation for the other player.
- Having completed putting, take the flag over, or be in a position to leave the green quickly.
- Pick up immediately when you can no longer score for that hole in the competition.
- Politely ask the group in front to call you through if it is obvious they are delaying the field.
- Keep track of the time taken for the round. (e.g. playing in threes;1 hour and 10 minutes for 6 holes, 1 hour 55 minutes for 9 holes) and so on to ensure you are on track to comfortable golf and maximum enjoyment to those following.
Numerous practice swings, lengthy delays in lining up putts, pacing out distances prior to club selection, and viewing putts from all points of the compass are not sensible practices for the average golfer.
If you are concerned about your ability to keep up in a field, consider playing at the end of the field.
Remember the importance of these points in the interest of total member enjoyment.
The pace of play will be monitored by the committees over the next few weeks, if we find that particular groups or individuals do not at least try to improve the pace of their game then the committees may be forced to restrict your tee time to the last group of the day so your play does not hold up the whole field.
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