I have a hard and fast rule. No one affects my golf game except me. I once played with a man who would yell at the group in front if he thought they were slow. "You're wasting my time!!!" I stopped playing with him. At other times I have played with slow players. With them, I just adjust my own timing to avoid feeling like I have to rush to make up time. If our group is out of place on the course, I will sometimes go to the next tee while others are finishing the previous hole.That way I can use my normal routine without feeling rushed. It also sends a subtle message to the others that we need to pick up the pace. If that doesn't help, I will tell them directly that we need to pick up the pace.
Having said that, there is a difference between slow play because of poor play and slow play because of excessive shot routines, either pre-shot or post-shot. In my experience, I have found the slowest players were the ones who considered themselves good players, emulating what they see on TV. Several practice swings, followed by a shot, followed by several post-shot encores. Yikes.
Yes, we are retired and don't have our lives regimented as before, but on the golf course, we are not alone. It only takes one group or person to slow play on the course to a level that everyone else cannot enjoy the round. It doesn't take "rushing" around the course. All it takes is to maintain contact with the group in front and be ready to play when it's your turn.
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