Golf Other tips to limit slow play. Know your game and your limits. We all think that we can drive that par 5 in two shots, so we decide to wait and, of course, we whiff it. Or we want to hit from the tips because 1 out of 10 of our drives we can really bomb it, or that’s where you played from when you were 40. Be realistic. If you are a 20 handicap, play from the correct tee to match your skill level. This, too, helps speed up play. How about the guy who deliberates for 10 minutes on what club to hit from 156 yards – putting his club in his bag, then choosing another one and repeating this several times, all the while holding his finger up to check the wind. Pleeeease! If you are riding in a cart, go to your ball while waiting for your opponent. If you are on the green, park the cart by the next tee and then come back to putt. Too many times, people leave their cart in front of the green, then have to walk back to get it after the last member of the group has putted out, while the group behind themwaits exasperated in the fairway. Don’t be that guy! Players on the LPGA Tour have 30 seconds per shot. On the PGA Tour, they have 40 seconds per shot with an extra 20 seconds allotted for various situations. It’s much more difficult to be penalized, however, since a player is first informed he is out of position (placed on the clock) and then given another warning if he exceeds the 40-second rule before a second offence finally draws a one-stroke penalty. While your playing partner won’t assess you a penalty stroke for your dawdling, you’ll still be penalizing your group. There is no simple solution to slow play, but we all have a responsibility. If each of us does our part, it’s a start. The naysayers’ attitude is that they pay a lot to tee it up, so it’s their right to play at whatever pace they want. They don’t want to be rushed. That’s a selfish attitude. Picking up the pace is exactly what it is. No one is asking you to play speed golf. Just be courteous to your playing partners and others on the course. At first, it may be difficult. For some, playing slow is a habit. Like all learned behaviours, this one too can be cured. Remember: always be conscious of how fast you are playing. If you are lagging behind, pick up the pace for heaven’s sake. You’ll be amazed that just by following some of these tips and tactics, you’ll easily shave 10-15 minutes off your round and you might even shave some strokes off your score too. Your golf game will thank you and you will make the sport more enjoyable for everyone. CSANews | SPRING 2016 | 35
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