Hi. I play with a regular group every few weeks, but the pace of play is embarrassingly slow. The players love the game and appear to respect most of the rules, but refuse to do some things that I have always considered a part of public course golf: 1) play 'ready golf' (politely); 2) line up putts while others are away (without distracting other players); 4) taking drops or hitting provisionals rather than looking for balls for what seems like forever and 5) yelling when bad shots are hit.

Even though there is money on the line, these are friendly games. Walking makes it more bearable, but playing cart golf at this pace borders on unbearable. For example, this weekend we played a 5-hour round with NO GROUPS in front of us (we let several twosomes play through and they quickly distanced themselves) and a group of SIX golfers (two threesomes combined) actually caught us and was waiting on some holes. I didn't know what to do/say (politely, at that point), but it irked me to the point that I was less than polite/friendly and felt my round slipping away with every delay.

I'm a firm believer that a foursome can shoot a million (maybe not a million) in under 4:15, especially with a cart. I've shot plenty of high numbers and kept pace.

How do I raise these issues without being tossed from the group? Or should I just avoid it if the slow play affects my attitude/approach to my own shots and course enjoyment?

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks,

-TJ

Find a new group.

If it was just one guy holding the group up I would just keep playing and let him catch up.

Thanks. That is the way I was leaning. I have told myself to do that on numerous occasions.

I noticed you golf at Classic Golf Course. My best friend lives in University Place, but we played Clasic quite a bit when he lived in Puyallup. I'm in the DC area.

Have you played Chambers Bay? Great course. Headed out there again in June. (Didn't mena to turn this into a chat session!) Thanks, again!

-TJ

If you know these guys well then tell them to play a little faster. If not, just pull a Rory Sabbatini on them and play out the hole and maybe they'll get the picture. If they don't find another group to play with.

Yes, I have played Chambers twice, it is a great set up and I can't wait for next year amature.

We have a slow guy in our Saturday morning group. At the beginning of this year we talked about getting our rounds under 4 hours and how we could do it in terms of ready golf, walking to your ball, with club(s) while waiting for the next person to play, finishing out instead of marking, etc. We're now consistently under 4 hours and generally, our play is much better. No one was offended and it's been much more enjoyable.

Thanks for the responses and advice. Much appreciated and very good food for thought. The Rory imitation did cross my mind.

Thanks, again!

-TJ

sometimes ya gotta just say something as much as we really dont want to. even if you get booted.

if it bothers you already, there wont be any enjoyment when you golf
slow golf is slow golf, its like watching paint dry.

I hate when my group is slow... Like you, it throws off my game to the point where I'm more concerned with the group we are holding up than the shots I should be making. Look, I don't expect people to run to their balls, I do that sometimes, but that's just because I get hyped up. But I do think people can play faster...

1. Everyone has to play ready golf...even if you are sharing a cart. Just have one person drop off the other person near their ball, then the driver can go to their ball. The only cavet I would say is to make sure before you leave, that you ensure the person not only has the club they want, but they should probably take a least one more club with them. My game is also thrown by making a poor decision before the cart leaves me and they I just stick with it and end up with a bad shot.

2. Cart placement... Too many times people place the carts in crazy places...where we have to walk farther to get to it then needed.

3. Let/make all balls off the green who want the pin hit first... pulling and placing the pin for various shots can take some time.

But really, you just have to address it with your guys. Just say, "Look, I don't care if we take 4 hours or 5 hours...as long as we aren't holding up groups behind us. And letting groups go through that have the same number as us is unacceptable."

And also put to to them this way, "My game is affected by these delays and the fact we are holding up groups and even though this is a friendly game, it is for money and I look at this as tactic to get me off my game. If you want me at my best, then lets just pick up the pace so we aren't holding up anyone."

And if they don't respond.... move on. or deal!

The guys I played with cheated and were slow, but I Rule-Nazi'ed them into being better...too bad the recession took them out! Now I play by myself more weeks, but no matter, love the game by myself or with a group. But I do love betting, so miss that.

I like the more subtle/sarcastic approach. Things you can say on the first tee:
"Guys, I'd like to get home in time for my round tomorrow"
"If we play any slower, I'm going to have to shave at the turn"

etc.