Golf Confessions

This time of the year when everyone is trying to get on the course and enjoy the nice Spring weather, slow play can be an issue.  The sheer number of players can cause a lot of the problems, but there are other things that can contribute to this slow play.

The golf course architect can cause some of the problems that cause five hour rounds and longer.  When designing a course the designer should take into consideration getting to the green from the cart paths.  Some holes will have bunkering surrounding most of the green and little room to approach the green.  So the golfer will have to walk around a large bunker to get to the green. 

Courses that have very large bunkers and will have only one rack for the entire bunker. 

One slow player or one slow group can slow down the entire course, just like what happens on the freeway.  One stalled car can mess things up for everyone.  Players need to understand the pace of play and the course marshalls need to keep the groups caught up. 

If the pro shop had the rules of play posted and make it quite clear what would happen when this was not followed then everyone would benefit.  There are courses that will escort slow players off the course for slow.  The faster players ruin their day by trying to hurry and the slow players keep playing at their own pace.

Play ready golf and give others the opportunity to enjoy their day at the course.