“Take it Easy”

“A call to remember that golf is supposed to be fun, not a race”

That was a comment on a recent article that I read in a golf magazine essentially condoning slow play.  My opinion is that golf is a game within itself to be respected by those who participate in it.  The golf course is there for all the participants to play at a reasonable pace and respect pace of play guidelines.  The author of this article further opined “how about we take it easy about pace of play.”  The author would have you believe that there is a mongrel horde of Huns trying to unreasonably overrun his group and that they are guilty of some type of anxiety attack to play as fast as possible.  He cites a number of reasons why slowness is acceptable:

1.  “Golf will never be a quick game.  If you can’t accept that, maybe try speed chess.”  He cites that there is no discernible difference between a 3:40 round and a 4 hour round, and he is right.  The real issue is the 5 hour plus round, and the callous behavior of flagrant disregard for the other players on the course.  Pebble Beach is a great example of this phenomenon.  They suggest a round of 4 hours and 30 minutes,  but do nothing to enforce it.  After all, you paid $695 to play here so you should be able to do whatever you want–right?
2. My experience is that I have rarely if ever encountered a player who is obsessed with speed of play.  Players get upset with the entitlement idea that I paid my green fees, so I’ll play at whatever pace I choose including the 1-2 minute PGA Tour plum bobbing on the putting greens.  Nowadays, we have a new technique with players “walking the line” believing that somehow that will translate to better green reading.  They look like creatures in search of a restroom.
3. In his article, the author also cited that “slowness is a crucial part of learning the game.”  I would postulate that playing the game at a measured reasonable pace is the crucial part of learning the game.  Respecting pace of play is a critical part of golf etiquette.  Spending 10 minutes looking for errant shots in thick grass or fishing balls out of water holes with a ball retriever that looks like a machete is not the way to learn the game.  Hitting multiple shots, mulligans and the like with a group behind you is disrespectful and “the need to hit a lot of shots” is not conductive to learning the game.  Head to the driving range and see your PGA professional to figure things out.

My opinion is that slow play is one of the major issues in the game today.  It is not because players want to play fast and create a passing lane on the fairways.  Players want to play in rhythm and not have to wait every time they are facing their iron shot to the green.  They don’t want to be 150 yards  out with their 8 iron in hand, watching 4 guys dissecting every blade of grass on the green.

Play ready golf and the four hour pace and respect the people behind you.

The author of “Take it Easy” has decided that his way of playing is the best measure of pace of play, (whatever he wants)  so if you’re behind him and waiting on every shot, well-just suck it up and enjoy!