I’ve never owned a gps unit, I do think they speed up play when you’re on an unfamiliar course.

Just a side note, I was playing Huntingdale for the first time in mid December with the MCC Golf Section. I always play these events with a mate from my home club, he has a gps that we use on these monthly outtings. Anyway, I was the only one in the 4some that didn’t have a gps. I get to my ball and my mate walks by and says 156 and keeps going, then the other 2 guys give me their yardages from their units. There was a 14mt difference between the shortest and longest, which is a fair bit by my reconing. I wonder who was the closest to the actual yardage. I went with my mates yardage.

MM

I forgot to add this > Today I was at Ulverstone GC, I was sitting in the clubhouse watching a couple of groups hit up to a green in a pro-am. I was staggered to see a bloke in the 1st group mark his putt that was, at best, a handspan from the hole. I doubt he was a pro, just looking at his gear. Another guy marked out when he was a foot from the cup in the same group. Of the subsequent 3 or 4 groups that I watched, at least 1 bloke from each group marked when he was stupidly close to the hole. It was baffling stuff.

MM

Allow gimme in comp stroke play?

I’ve never owned a gps unit, I do think they speed up play when you’re on an unfamiliar course.

Just a side note, I was playing Huntingdale for the first time in mid December with the MCC Golf Section. I always play these events with a mate from my home club, he has a gps that we use on these monthly outtings. Anyway, I was the only one in the 4some that didn’t have a gps. I get to my ball and my mate walks by and says 156 and keeps going, then the other 2 guys give me their yardages from their units. There was a 14mt difference between the shortest and longest, which is a fair bit by my reconing. I wonder who was the closest to the actual yardage. I went with my mates yardage.

MM

Hand me another Titleist, please….

Lefties do it better :-)

http://www.golflink.com.au/...

I’d guess if they were on the move they wouldn’t give an accurate reading. Range finder is the go.

I’ve never owned a gps unit, I do think they speed up play when you’re on an unfamiliar course.

Just a side note, I was playing Huntingdale for the first time in mid December with the MCC Golf Section. I always play these events with a mate from my home club, he has a gps that we use on these monthly outtings. Anyway, I was the only one in the 4some that didn’t have a gps. I get to my ball and my mate walks by and says 156 and keeps going, then the other 2 guys give me their yardages from their units. There was a 14mt difference between the shortest and longest, which is a fair bit by my reconing. I wonder who was the closest to the actual yardage. I went with my mates yardage.

GPS may vary a little but I think you will probably find that they were set up different, On mine you can position where the pin is on the green or it defaults to the centre. My mates gps gives him position to front middle and back. Depending on the green that can be a huge difference. When I have mine set to the middle of the green it is usually fairly consistent with my mates and they are different brands

Going by my experience this morning I would suggest that we need to think long and hard about this whole subject.

This morning 2nd group off, following a group of olders guys, over seventies, all on scooters. Not having to walk they were shifting it. Following admonishments from our Captain, our lowest handicapper was attempting to “keep up with the group in front”. It was by far the worst game I have ever played, absolutely no enjoyment in it at all. If that is the kind of golf I have to look forward to I will give it up now.

Perhaps as a suggestion there might be some roadage in splitting comps between those who are time poor and those who still see it as a game to be enjoyed.

When I first started playing golf in the ‘70’s, a five hour plus round was considered quite normal. Hit off after an early lunch, and then evening drinks at the bar afterwards. We didn’t need to run between shots then, and everyone walked the course.

There are courses in the States where players are not allowed to walk. I am sure they can go around in three and a half hours or less. Wouldn’t like to see that as the future of golf.

Alison, pre-shot routines, visualisations, 5 hour rounds…..give the game away and leave it for those that want to play 18 holes in under 4 hours….walking, carrying AND without GPS! If you stop having a pre-shot routine and visualising 100 shots a round, you’ll easily be able to keep up with a group of elderly guys in scooters….who obviously don’t have pre-shot routines, visualisations or GPS yet still manage to have fun, and finish a couple of holes in front of you by the sounds of it.

And you seriously wonder why we have an issue with slow play???

Suggest you look at the demographics of your club membership. Those just wanting to

play 18 holes in under 4 hours

Like most we too have guys who just want to turn up once a week – Saturdays or Sundays, play a quick 4 hr round and then depart. But that isn’t sufficient to maintain most clubs. I think they are referred to as Car Park Members.

Clubs need members who still enjoy playing golf without it being some kind of marathon.

Going by my experience this morning I would suggest that we need to think long and hard about this whole subject.

This morning 2nd group off, following a group of olders guys, over seventies, all on scooters. Not having to walk they were shifting it. Following admonishments from our Captain, our lowest handicapper was attempting to “keep up with the group in front”. It was by far the worst game I have ever played, absolutely no enjoyment in it at all. If that is the kind of golf I have to look forward to I will give it up now.

Perhaps as a suggestion there might be some roadage in splitting comps between those who are time poor and those who still see it as a game to be enjoyed.

When I first started playing golf in the ‘70’s, a five hour plus round was considered quite normal. Hit off after an early lunch, and then evening drinks at the bar afterwards. We didn’t need to run between shots then, and everyone walked the course.

There are courses in the States where players are not allowed to walk. I am sure they can go around in three and a half hours or less. Wouldn’t like to see that as the future of golf.

Callaway Diablo Edge kit – magic. 11deg driver, 3 & 5 woods, 3,4,5 hybrids, 4 through SW irons plus GW, all with senior flex graphite shafts, and Odyssey White Ice #9 putter. 4 and 5 irons tend to get left behind.

May I suggest that if you want to dither around you don’t play early and hold everyone else up. It is a pretty selfish act.

Was recently told by the pro that my group was slow at 4¼ hrs for 18 holes because we finished a hole and a half behind the group in front. When I told him that the group in front were a 3 he said “but they were behind a 4” so you can’t win.
p.s. In future I’ll try to be in a group of 3 problem solved.

May I suggest that if you want to dither around you don’t play early and hold everyone else up. It is a pretty selfish act.

Where in all of the previous does it say we were “dithering around”?

Myself, and friends, regularly play three and half hour rounds. Have been known to go around in three and a quarter. Playing stroke, with no pickups, from our championship tees does tend to take longer.

Alison, senior golfers are great, but they will die and leave a large number of clubs on the brink of financial ruin! What clubs need is younger golfers and younger golfers are turned off by having 5 hour rounds.

As Cabbageman said, it’s a pretty selfish act. Speed up or play at the end of the field!

Alison, senior golfers are great, but they will die and leave a large number of clubs on the brink of financial ruin! What clubs need is younger golfers and younger golfers are turned off by having 5 hour rounds.

As Cabbageman said, it’s a pretty selfish act. Speed up or play at the end of the field!

Golf is not a game of perfect!

Looking at this from another direction If it wasn’t for these elderly members these clubs would be on the brink of bankruptcy already.
Another fact is that your 25-50 age bracket don’t have the time to play every weekend due to work and family commitments so they aren’t going to pay $3000+ annual subs for something they’ll only use once a month. They are happier paying $100 – $150 once a month to play premium public access courses it works out much cheaper.

May I suggest that if you want to dither around you don’t play early and hold everyone else up. It is a pretty selfish act.

Where in all of the previous does it say we were “dithering around”?

Myself, and friends, regularly play three and half hour rounds. Have been known to go around in three and a quarter. Playing stroke, with no pickups, from our championship tees does tend to take longer.

Callaway Diablo Edge kit – magic. 11deg driver, 3 & 5 woods, 3,4,5 hybrids, 4 through SW irons plus GW, all with senior flex graphite shafts, and Odyssey White Ice #9 putter. 4 and 5 irons tend to get left behind.

How do you and your friends enjoy 3.5 hour rounds? If you regularly do this as you have said then why didn’t you enjoy the round this weekend? You seem to be contradicting yourself.

If you want 5 hour + rounds that absolutely fine. You just ask to be the last to tee off. Only problem with that is you won’t finish in daylight hours

today was 5hour and 27minutes of slow, painful torture.
waited on every shot after the first drive
waited 20mins on one of the par3’s
no excuses – good weather, no wind, well set-up course

This was possibly a management cock-up – two many groups playing different formats – stableford groups lead off followed by a huge ladies pennants day at the front of the field, followed by some more stableford comp groups, followed by the mens B-grade pennants, followed by some more stableford comp groups.

Un-f’kn-believable. 3hours for the first 9.

Different formats take different times. Foursomes are probably the fastest, possibly even Ambrose. Match play comps tend not to hang about either. Par and Stableford with pickups can be quite quick.

Stroke, where every hole HAS to be completed, even to the extent of returning to the Tee to play a provisional for a ball that has seemingly just disappeared IS going to take longer. Yes it can happen – found a ball hiding under the edge of a partially overgrown sprinkler head in the middle of a fairway recently.

There seems to be little recognition given to this fact by match committees, or on this forum. Medal days – stroke off championship tees, are going to be the slowest, whether anyone likes it or not.

Playing a social round with friends, we normally play Stableford, and can get around in less than three and quarter hrs. So we don’t hang about. But playing stroke with a bunch of high handicappers on a Medal day, totally different story. Why is it so difficult for people here to understand this?

This was possibly a management cock-up – two many groups playing different formats – stableford groups lead off followed by a huge ladies pennants day at the front of the field, followed by some more stableford comp groups, followed by the mens B-grade pennants, followed by some more stableford comp groups.

NWABP, I agree it can be painful, but there is a limit to how many people can play a course at the same time, or do you see it as some kind of automated production line. Which it ‘ain’t. Perhaps you should try another club/course?

followed by a huge ladies pennants day

Is anyone seriously thinking that they are going to just walk up to their ball and hit it with minimal thought? Get real!!

Was recently told by the pro that my group was slow at 4¼ hrs for 18 holes because we finished a hole and a half behind the group in front. When I told him that the group in front were a 3 he said “but they were behind a 4” so you can’t win.
p.s. In future I’ll try to be in a group of 3 problem solved.

Hi, my name is Steve & I’m a golfaholic, I even go to the meetings
Melb Southern Suburbs 3195

He who rules the short game takes home the gold…Dave Peltz

2012 Victorian ISG. OOM C Grade Champion

Top Cat. Not having a shot at you because I do not know enough of the facts of your situation, but I will say that I have heard this reason given on many occasions. The point is. The first group[ off sets the pace *& each following group is expected to keep up with that group. This is not always possible for various reasons.
If your are several groups back & there are groups of 4 in front. They will set the pace. A group of 3 following will not play any faster. They may play out the hole quicker but invariably they will then have to wait on the next tee. so the Pro may well have a point.
There are too many variables for anyone on a golf forum to decide from what is posted. weather a group is slow or not.

This was possibly a management cock-up – two many groups playing different formats – stableford groups lead off followed by a huge ladies pennants day at the front of the field, followed by some more stableford comp groups, followed by the mens B-grade pennants, followed by some more stableford comp groups.

NWABP, I agree it can be painful, but there is a limit to how many people can play a course at the same time, or do you see it as some kind of automated production line. Which it ‘ain’t. Perhaps you should try another club/course?

followed by a huge ladies pennants day

Is anyone seriously thinking that they are going to just walk up to their ball and hit it with minimal thought? Get real!!

Callaway Diablo Edge kit – magic. 11deg driver, 3 & 5 woods, 3,4,5 hybrids, 4 through SW irons plus GW, all with senior flex graphite shafts, and Odyssey White Ice #9 putter. 4 and 5 irons tend to get left behind.

Another club? No, the course and club are fine. Slow rounds are usually measured at 4h20m or more.
5hr27m is an extreme.

Further discussion with other members today established that the Ladies Pennant mob, one of the front groups, was primarily to blame.

Turns out they were not conceding even short putts, thus every hole for every group was being played out in full. Also seems the scores weren’t very good so that holes were being won/lost/halved with some big numbers. Also seems that they were not taking the idea of one match taking precedence on the green (i.e. finishing the hole before the other match putts). It also turns out that between them all, the final group of ladies pennants took 1hour to play the first two holes (a par 5 then par 4). There were three groups standing on the third tee-box (a par 3).

The group of stableford players teeing off after the pennants groups were delayed 25minutes – yes 25mins – before they could tee off.

Fortunately there were, later, 3 lines of the tee sheet were “reserved” but not filled with players meaning some of the slack was absorbed by not having people scheduled to play.

But I’m not sure of your point – are you suggesting that 5h27m is acceptable and should be accepted as the norm?

Different formats take different times. Foursomes are probably the fastest, possibly even Ambrose. Match play comps tend not to hang about either. Par and Stableford with pickups can be quite quick.

Stroke, where every hole HAS to be completed, even to the extent of returning to the Tee to play a provisional for a ball that has seemingly just disappeared IS going to take longer. Yes it can happen – found a ball hiding under the edge of a partially overgrown sprinkler head in the middle of a fairway recently.

There seems to be little recognition given to this fact by match committees, or on this forum. Medal days – stroke off championship tees, are going to be the slowest, whether anyone likes it or not.

Playing a social round with friends, we normally play Stableford, and can get around in less than three and quarter hrs. So we don’t hang about. But playing stroke with a bunch of high handicappers on a Medal day, totally different story. Why is it so difficult for people here to understand this?

Callaway Diablo Edge kit – magic. 11deg driver, 3 & 5 woods, 3,4,5 hybrids, 4 through SW irons plus GW, all with senior flex graphite shafts, and Odyssey White Ice #9 putter. 4 and 5 irons tend to get left behind.

As far as I can see there is nothing to understand. It is all golf and different formats need not take vastly different times. Stroke rounds maybe marginally longer but that could be remedied if people recognised the problem and stopped phaffing about.

If everyone got a wriggle on (high or low handicap) they might discover that having a pre-shot routine of glacial quality including multiple waggles to loosen up, followed by standing like a statue gazing at the ball to stiffen up, doesn’t improve the outcome.

The provisional ball you describe is one of the problems where players don’t know how to go about things. You cannot go back to the tee to hit a provisional ball. You have to hit it before going forward to search. If you go back to the tee you are hitting 3 and the first ball is lost. Explain that to some and they get all antsi ; )

The info our members recieved recently on speed of play included the following line:

“Your position in the field is directly behind the group in front, and the marshal doesn’t care why you are 2 holes behind, no excuses”

Awesome.

I thing a 4- 4 hour 15 min round is perfectly acceptable for a par or stableford round. And 4.15 to 4.30 round for Stroke play.

Anyone playing quicker than that is obviously just out there to hit the ball and not really too fussed about how they actually perform.

I consider myself a fairly quick player, and rarely am i ever done in under 4 hours (unless in a cart with noone in front of me)