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Golf's Biggest Speed Bump |
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Written by Brendon Elliott
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Wednesday, 19 July 2006 |
 “What is the biggest problem with the game of golf?”
It does not matter what age, sex, or caliber of golfer you ask this question, one of the most repeated answers will undoubtedly be Slow Play or Pace of Play. This has always been a problem within the game of golf, even during its early days in the United States, and the situation has become more drastic over recent years. The new aged golf boom that is taking place in America, which is largely due in part to the fame of Tiger Woods, has done wonderful things for our beloved sport. On the flipside however, it has introduced the game of golf to many who either have a total disregard for the importance of general golf etiquette or just don’t understand what good golf etiquette is. I have found throughout my many years working in the golf industry that new golfers are not the ignorant fools that many of the more seasoned golfers think they are; they simply don’t know what is expected of them on the golf course. As an Assistant Golf Professional making my way through the PGA of America’s Professional Golf Management program, I am a little ashamed that more is not being done to address this situation. I believe that all Golf Professional’s should incorporate some sort of etiquette program into their current lesson programs regardless of the skill level of the golfer they are teaching. To do my part I will be offering several clinics in the near future on golf etiquette, slow play, and other topics which I feel do not get covered enough in traditional golf lesson’s or instruction. In the mean time you can find a few very useful tips on these very topics at several wonderful websites, of which I have listed below.
www.mrgolf.com
www.usga.org
www.keepersofthegame.org
The Mr. Golf Etiquette website is an absolutely wonderful source of information on all aspects of golf etiquette. Mr. Jim Corbett who developed this website suggests the following in regards to pace of play or slow play on the golf course.
“Pace of Play
As much as people enjoy playing golf, they don't want their round to take all day. If golfers have to wait too long in between shots they get impatient and they lose their momentum. So here are some things you can do to maintain a good pace of play:
Take only one practice swing for each shot, and then hit the ball. (Remember: if you take 120 shots in a game and you take an extra 30 seconds for each one you will add an hour to the length of your golf game.)
Plan your shot before it's your turn (don't wait until your turn to start thinking about what club you will hit, or whether to go over the water or lay up to it -- be ready in advance).
As you approach the green determine in which direction the next tee is located and leave your clubs (or park your cart) on that side of the green.
When playing from a motorized cart, if one player is on one side of the fairway and the other player on the opposite side, drop one player off at his or her ball with a choice of a few clubs, then drive to the next player's ball and meet farther down the fairway, after both have hit their shots.
Keep up with the group ahead of you. As they leave the green you should be ready to hit up to the green. Don't worry about how far ahead you are of the group behind you, focus on staying a reasonable distance from the group ahead.”
On the USGA’s website, under the rules of golf section, there is a discussion on the importance of the etiquette of the game of golf. The United States Golf Association along with the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews work together as the authorities on the rules of golf and act as the keepers of the history and tradition of the game. Another great website that covers important issues such as slow play is the homepage for The Keepers of the Game organization. The Keepers of the Game is a 501(c) 3 organization that’s mission is to ensure golf's traditions are preserved and to promote its values beyond the boundaries of the game.
The current epidemic of slow play and a lack of knowledge in regards to etiquette amongst new and even more seasoned golfers can defiantly be reduced. The first way to curb this situation is to brush up on your own etiquette habits and pace of play practices. Do you think that you have good golf etiquette and pace of play habits? If you do, then do your part and teach others what is expected of them while out on the golf course. By doing so, we could possibly reduce the frustration that is shared by so many of us of playing behind slower groups. Remember, you too were once that new or uneducated golfer, so put yourself in their golf shoes!
BRENDON R. ELLIOTT
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL
Winter Park Country Club
761 Old England Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789
Golf Shop: (407)599-3339
Direct Line: (407)599-3418
http://www.winterparkcountryclub.com
http://www.thegolfspace.com/brendonelliott |
