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Golfers
HATE
waiting on a
slower group in front of them.
Several arguments, as well as,
incidents of fighting and have
broken out due to heated
exchanges or incoming
golf balls from the trailing
foursome.
During one round this
summer, I was forced to wait
on every tee box, as well as,
fairway shot on the front nine.
While each of these delays
was not horrendous, when
multiplied by nine holes
the time wasted watching
someone else swing was
nearly half an hour. You can
see why one may become
disgruntled. The group did
end our misery by letting us
play through at the turn.
What’s a golfer to do when
play is delayed?
First,
determine if it is
actually the group’s fault.
Is
there open space in front of
the group playing ahead of
you? If not, the slow pace of
play may not be due to them
but a group farther ahead. If
that is the case, not a lot can
be done.
Politely ask if you can play
through.
Mostgolfersareunderstanding
and will allow others that
have a quicker pace to play
through, especially if they’ve
seen you on their tails for
multiple holes. If they do
accommodate your request,
remember to thank them
and play through quickly.
Make sure you are proficient
and do not cause delays by
advancing. You don’t want
the group you just played
through asking if they can
have the favor returned.
Contact a Marshal or the
Clubhouse
.
Sometimes golfers don’t
play nicely and you need an
outside influence to make a
change. Course marshals can
talk, on your behalf, to slower
players.
Alternatively, if you are being
pushed by the group behind
you, then take a look ahead. Is
there free space in front of you?
If so, offer the group behind
you to play through. Just this
last weekend we stood aside
and let a similar size group
continue play. We had a hole
open in front of us and were
spending some time looking
for a lost ball. They holed
out and cleared the green,
before we were ready for our
approach shots.
The next time you find your
group delayed consider
the real problem and
address it in a gentlemanly
fashion. Regardless of the
outcome, enjoy your round
and the time spent with your
playing companions.
Tips to
Combat
Slow Play
By Richard Todd
NWO Golf Links