Just poured my second cup of coffee and had a second thought.

Although slow play is annoying, fast play i.e. being hit into or pushing from behind is even more annoying to me. The rules of timing per hole or per round are there for a good reason. Please follow the rules and everyone, STRIKE THAT, most everyone will be happy.

For some unknown reason, God gave us a few folks that without something to complain about they seem to slide into a deep clinical depression.

Having played golf for over 30 years let me say that being relaxed, playing ready golf and not being hurried are not mutlually exclusive. But beginners should adhere to common conventions that will make the game enjoyable for them and the folks behind them.
Three weeks ago my wife and I (and another couple) played Sandhill at 9:40; my favorite executive course. I believe the target time for this course is 1:45 minutes. I knew we were in trouble right away when I saw the group in front of us tee off. It took them 30 minutes to clear the first hole. After just three holes there were three open holes in front of them. As they walked off the third green the ambasador came by and just waved. He took a wade circle around us, stayed out of ear shod. As we cleared the four tee the groups was still on the fifth tee. I could see that the group in front of them was on the 9th tee. So they had four holes open. When we cleared the fifth green, a par 4, they were still on the sixth tee. The time of play to this point for us was 1:45 minutes so they we that plus the 30 minutes on the first hole. We drive off the course but stopped at the starter shack. After I told him the situation he said that they would not do anything as they no longer track the pace of play. I said "they have four holes open and are still on the sixth tee." He just shrugged.

This group was on a pace of over three hours. Absent an open tee time(s) that means no one in the groups behind them will play in less than their time. As a wakled away a gentleman was approaching the starter shack. I just said "good luck".

I am not sure that they (the ambassadors) can do anything to enforce the rules but they are NOT supposed to anger anyone and THAT is a tough situation.

For new golfers or those who have not golfed anywhere but here in The Villages, in other places they are called Marshalls and they will tell you to pick up your ball and move on or let the people behind you play through (Which means to wave them on and get out of their shot line so they can hit and play the hole and get in front of you) if you are really holding up people and there are holes vacant ahead of you.

I know that some of you think this is very harsh but it is an accepted norm. I have played golf with many beginners and I am FAR from a rules person anymore on the golf course, I don't even write my scores. The truth is that in the beginning for ALL of us, and we all began on a course where Marshalls were watching you as to time, we had to keep the pace of play.

Now kindly I will tell you that you will soon feel more comfortable on the course and even those playing for a LONG time may sometimes just pick up because we are just doing everything wrong.

I read the post about people playing too fast, but it is an absolute MORTAL SIN and anything else you can say is disgraceful to hit into the range of the folks in front of you. NO person with any kind of self respect, manners, any knowledge of the game would EVER hit into you. If someone hits into you, they are looked down on by all people who play golf.

Many times we do play faster than the group ahead of us, and we just wait patiently. The main thing is to keep up with the group ahead of you.

I am NOT trying to be mean or share a philosophy of life, it is simply HOW THE GAME OF GOLF IS PLAYED. It is very important to keep the pace of play and even beginners can do it.

Soon you will be relaxed and cussing at yourself just like the rest of us. ;)

I just read what I wrote to Sweetie the patient and kind and he said to add that one group can hold up the entire course for the entire day. Be your own Marshall and keep the pace of play.

I am never rushed and I never say anything to people who I play with and I am not good anymore, never was really good, but I love golf as many do who live here. You will find that long time golfers are relaxed and kind and accepting and gentlemen and gentlewomen. We want for YOU to love the game like we do.

Which means you watch where your ball goes and the ball of any person you are playing with and be ready to move to your ball and hit it. It takes awhile for all of this to become habit and second nature and then you will be relaxed.

Now everyone thinks I am Attilla the Hun.. :(

Evil Alan.....
 

I could never have survived that round. I would have jumped ahead and played 7 holes or just gone home. Before that I would give this a try....

While waiting on the tee (knowing the group on the green is 3 holes out of position) I would have yelled loud enough for the folks on the green to hear: IT IS NOT US, IT IS THE GROUP IN FRONT OF US pretending to be talking to the folks behind you..... sometimes that works :evil6:

PS. I do not believe slow play has anything to do with the skill level of the golfer. Any new golfer out there should not be intimidated by a thread like this for a second. Learn simple golf etiquette and you will do great. Golfers at any level will enjoy playing in your group.

If I may add - and I don't know if this was mentioned - Play the correct tees for your ability !!!!

It always amazes me that people will play the #2 tees and only hit the ball 125 - 150 yards. This can't be fun - the game is frustrating enough. Yes you have the right, but you just made that par 5 a par 7 !

Ready golf means just that - no need to rush. If your ball is near your partner, don't wait for them to hit then go get your club. Determine what you need, go to your ball and ponder your shot while they are making theirs. After they hit you will be ready to go!

I am not a golfer, yet. It does look like fun though, or at least it did. Gracie, I believe you answered a question that I had. I was wondering if you could go ahead of the group in front of you if they are going more slowly than you. It sounds like you can do that. That makes logical sense. It also makes logical sense to play on the right course. Isn't golf supposed to be fun and relaxing? I do not need more stress in my life for sure.

Good summary aj.

If I find myself really playing badly (just started back since moving here) I pick up my ball and drop it closer or too many missed putts I pick it up and move on.

Tomorrow is another day; I don't keep score and I am not looking for a Nike endorsement.

Its just nice being out and moving along is part of the game.

Not sure if this was mentioned
 

I've noticed that "giummies" on execs are rare!...I'm sure you all know that you cannot post scores from execs....Many like the sound that the ball makes when it goes in the hole, for me, I could care less....If I want to work on 2 foot putts for tournaments, I go to the practice putting green...Life is short, don't sweat the "short" stuff....One of the great things about playing as a "single", there is this sweet little voice that always tells me, "That's good"!!!:a20::a20:

This (pace of play) was discussed at our Thursday meeting with representatives from golf administration. My interpretation of their response is that the time spent on an executive course is short, so they ordinarily do not track pace of play like they do on a championship course. The reason is that most of the time by the time a group is significantly off pace the round is close to finished and there is little benefit to the rest of the players to intervene. However, something as egregious as what you describe should have been addressed on the course in my opinion. I'm sure golf administration would be interested in the specifics of day, time, etc. of your experience.

After following this thread for the last couple of days, I was a bit concerned about my beginner status on Pimlico this afternoon. I found I was trying to rush through every hole, as my husband was relaxed and playing as the game should be played. We had to wait for the group in front of us at every hole, but I still felt like I should not be so slow. Kind of felt like the folks behind us should see us waiting, so they would know it wasn't us holding things up....Shot my worst EVER score, even worse than the first time I was ever on a course. So, not so serious next time.....enjoy!!

I've been playing for decades and still think like you do about your situation described above. When this happens, I always hope the people behind us can see that it's not us holding things up and driving others to distraction, literally.

To me, the marshals should be observing who's causing play to get clogged up and then they should be letting the people behind the clog know what's up ahead.....AND if somebody could be playing thru the ones wasting time and not picking up to move on.

This makes me sad. As always the most concientous take things much more to heart than others. The last thing I meant to happen is to ruin the experience for any new folks.

But it takes knowledge of pace of play to keep the game fun for all.

Thanks, Gracie, but no worries. I do tend to be the one who wants to follow all the rules, and then I get frustrated because most people don't. Finally, at 61, I'm figuring out a balance...:)

( You don't have to ruin your day just because you are sandwiched in between two fast play groups.)

:bigbow::bigbow: