5somes

[tatertot]

> @rogolf said:

> Our club has a strict rule that the largest group is a foursome. If anyone notices a fivesome, they immediately call the golf shop to report it and expect fast action on it. The group's pace of play is irrelevant.

 

You are a fortunate man. Think hard before ever leaving that club.

[vpexp]

> @cardoustie said:

> I played as a 5 both days this weekends

> Pushing group in front of us and group behind us miles back both days

> Private course and paths only

> Ready golf ... some can and some can't

> 5 man wolf is awesome

 

Same for us. Private course, play Wolf, 3:45 is our usual time unless we get stuck behind a slow foursome. 5 guys that play ready golf move quicker than lots of foursomes, especially foursomes that grind like they are in a US Open (and shoot 81)

 

[Carl Spackler3]

Another amazing golf riddle.EVERYONE who plays in a fivesome is not slow ......yet i’ve NEVER seen a fivesome keep pace.

[Roadking2003]

> @"Carl Spackler3" said:

> Another amazing golf riddle.EVERYONE who plays in a fivesome is not slow ......yet i’ve NEVER seen a fivesome keep pace.

 

And yet one more amazing golf riddle.EVERYONE who plays in a fivesome is slow ......yet I’ve seen lots of fivesomes keep pace.

[MtlJeff]

> @"Carl Spackler3" said:

> Another amazing golf riddle.EVERYONE who plays in a fivesome is not slow ......yet i’ve NEVER seen a fivesome keep pace.

 

It's another thing that exists only online....we have a lot of unicorns here

 

I'm sure there ARE many fivesomes that can keep pace, but I don't see why it's so complicated that courses don't allow them. The standard is 4 that's just what it is historically, so allowing 5 mathematically would make play longer in the aggregate and courses would need to adjust tee times, alloted play times etc...

 

If some course wants to change and try out fivesomes I guess they are welcome too. But it's not surprising why most don't

 

 

[dpb5031]

> @MtlJeff said:

> > @"Carl Spackler3" said:

> > Another amazing golf riddle.EVERYONE who plays in a fivesome is not slow ......yet i’ve NEVER seen a fivesome keep pace.

>

> It's another thing that exists only online....we have a lot of unicorns here

>

> I'm sure there ARE many fivesomes that can keep pace, but I don't see why it's so complicated that courses don't allow them. The standard is 4 that's just what it is historically, so allowing 5 mathematically would make play longer in the aggregate and courses would need to adjust tee times, alloted play times etc...

>

> If some course wants to change and try out fivesomes I guess they are welcome too. But it's not surprising why most don't

>

>

 

This really isn't a hard one! Most public, resort or other daily fee courses do not allow fivesomes under any circumstances, and for all good reasons based on their business model. This doesn't mean it's impossible for a fivesome to keep or exceed pace of play.

 

Many private clubs do not allow fivesomes as a general rule, but will subjectively make exceptions on slow days, etc. My old club in NJ was this way.

 

Lastly, some private clubs have no restrictions on group size, as long as they do not hold up the course and always allow faster groups to play through. I'm in FL and Medalist and Adios Golf Club come to mind.

[bigred90gt]

> @dpb5031 said:

> > @MtlJeff said:

> > > @"Carl Spackler3" said:

> > > Another amazing golf riddle.EVERYONE who plays in a fivesome is not slow ......yet i’ve NEVER seen a fivesome keep pace.

> >

> > It's another thing that exists only online....we have a lot of unicorns here

> >

> > I'm sure there ARE many fivesomes that can keep pace, but I don't see why it's so complicated that courses don't allow them. The standard is 4 that's just what it is historically, so allowing 5 mathematically would make play longer in the aggregate and courses would need to adjust tee times, alloted play times etc...

> >

> > If some course wants to change and try out fivesomes I guess they are welcome too. But it's not surprising why most don't

> >

> >

>

> This really isn't a hard one! Most public, resort or other daily fee courses do not allow fivesomes under any circumstances, and for all good reasons based on their business model. This doesn't mean it's impossible for a fivesome to keep or exceed pace of play.

>

> Many private clubs do not allow fivesomes as a general rule, but will subjectively make exceptions on slow days, etc. My old club in NJ was this way.

>

> Lastly, some private clubs have no restrictions on group size, as long as they do not hold up the course and always allow faster groups to play through. I'm in FL and Medalist and Adios Golf Club come to mind.

 

 

Must be another regional thing. I’ve only ever had one course in the Houston area tell me absolutely not to a 5some. Most said no problem, a few said if you start holding people up just split into 2 groups. I’ve played just about every public course in the greater Houston area. Granted, not all of them as a 5some, but I’ve seen them on just about every one.

 

[cardoustie]

Give me 4 of my regular playing pals with caps under 8 and we are around in 3:15 easy peasy

Riding in 3 carts and not cart path only. Dump your partner and go to your ball (so many riders NEVER do this, it's so sad)

Grinders not allowed. If you're circling the hole from 12 feet at a course you have been a member at for 15 years, go play in another group

[bladehunter]

> @vpexp said:

> > @cardoustie said:

> > I played as a 5 both days this weekends

> > Pushing group in front of us and group behind us miles back both days

> > Private course and paths only

> > Ready golf ... some can and some can't

> > 5 man wolf is awesome

>

> Same for us. Private course, play Wolf, 3:45 is our usual time unless we get stuck behind a slow foursome. 5 guys that play ready golf move quicker than lots of foursomes, especially foursomes that grind like they are in a US Open (and shoot 81)

>

 

What does that mean ? You guys don’t putt out , or ?

[bladehunter]

> @dpb5031 said:

> > @MtlJeff said:

> > > @"Carl Spackler3" said:

> > > Another amazing golf riddle.EVERYONE who plays in a fivesome is not slow ......yet i’ve NEVER seen a fivesome keep pace.

> >

> > It's another thing that exists only online....we have a lot of unicorns here

> >

> > I'm sure there ARE many fivesomes that can keep pace, but I don't see why it's so complicated that courses don't allow them. The standard is 4 that's just what it is historically, so allowing 5 mathematically would make play longer in the aggregate and courses would need to adjust tee times, alloted play times etc...

> >

> > If some course wants to change and try out fivesomes I guess they are welcome too. But it's not surprising why most don't

> >

> >

>

> This really isn't a hard one! Most public, resort or other daily fee courses do not allow fivesomes under any circumstances, and for all good reasons based on their business model. This doesn't mean it's impossible for a fivesome to keep or exceed pace of play.

>

> Many private clubs do not allow fivesomes as a general rule, but will subjectively make exceptions on slow days, etc. My old club in NJ was this way.

>

> Lastly, some private clubs have no restrictions on group size, as long as they do not hold up the course and always allow faster groups to play through. I'm in FL and Medalist and Adios Golf Club come to mind.

 

Exactly. I’ve never been to a course that allowed 5 somes. I’ve done it once or twice at my home course. Always either thanksgiving day when they are closed or Christmas Day.

[rogolf]

> @bladehunter said:

> > @vpexp said:

> > > @cardoustie said:

> > > I played as a 5 both days this weekends

> > > Pushing group in front of us and group behind us miles back both days

> > > Private course and paths only

> > > Ready golf ... some can and some can't

> > > 5 man wolf is awesome

> >

> > Same for us. Private course, play Wolf, 3:45 is our usual time unless we get stuck behind a slow foursome. 5 guys that play ready golf move quicker than lots of foursomes, especially foursomes that grind like they are in a US Open (and shoot 81)

> >

>

> What does that mean ? You guys don’t putt out , or ?

 

No need to putt out if you're out of the hole and can't help your partner. The best game going is four-ball match play (net or scratch, doesn't matter). Favorite game is net best-ball, no strokes (try that announcement on the first tee!).

[vpexp]

> @bladehunter said:

> > @vpexp said:

> > > @cardoustie said:

> > > I played as a 5 both days this weekends

> > > Pushing group in front of us and group behind us miles back both days

> > > Private course and paths only

> > > Ready golf ... some can and some can't

> > > 5 man wolf is awesome

> >

> > Same for us. Private course, play Wolf, 3:45 is our usual time unless we get stuck behind a slow foursome. 5 guys that play ready golf move quicker than lots of foursomes, especially foursomes that grind like they are in a US Open (and shoot 81)

> >

>

> What does that mean ? You guys don’t putt out , or ?

It means when it is our turn we hit/putt in short order and we get to our ball and in position efficiently. We don’t wait until it is our turn and then read a putt from all angles. We don't wait until it is our turn to get a yardage. When it is our turn to hit we don’t agonize over which club we are going hit, then get over the ball only to back off and think about it again. We do give putts that don’t matter to the outcome of the game if they are in the leather. We don’t take 15 minutes looking for a ball.

You guys act like it should take a fivesome 25% more time to play a round. I guess a single should be able to play in an hour, a twosome 2 hours? The recent article on GWRX showed that the vast majority of the time taken to play a round of golf was spent on something other than hitting a golf shot, which is obvious. How efficient you are between shots determines the length of a round.

I don’t care how many guys are in a group as long as they take less than 4 hours to play a round.

I also find it comical that all the foursomes on WRX play in 3-1/2 hours or less, they just never seem to be in front of me.

 

[deadsolid...shank]

> @vpexp said:

> > @bladehunter said:

> > > @vpexp said:

> > > > @cardoustie said:

> > > > I played as a 5 both days this weekends

> > > > Pushing group in front of us and group behind us miles back both days

> > > > Private course and paths only

> > > > Ready golf ... some can and some can't

> > > > 5 man wolf is awesome

> > >

> > > Same for us. Private course, play Wolf, 3:45 is our usual time unless we get stuck behind a slow foursome. 5 guys that play ready golf move quicker than lots of foursomes, especially foursomes that grind like they are in a US Open (and shoot 81)

> > >

> >

> > What does that mean ? You guys don’t putt out , or ?

> It means when it is our turn we hit/putt in short order and we get to our ball and in position efficiently. We don’t wait until it is our turn and then read a putt from all angles. We don't wait until it is our turn to get a yardage. When it is our turn to hit we don’t agonize over which club we are going hit, then get over the ball only to back off and think about it again. We do give putts that don’t matter to the outcome of the game if they are in the leather. We don’t take 15 minutes looking for a ball.

> You guys act like it should take a fivesome 25% more time to play a round. I guess a single should be able to play in an hour, a twosome 2 hours? The recent article on GWRX showed that the vast majority of the time taken to play a round of golf was spent on something other than hitting a golf shot, which is obvious. How efficient you are between shots determines the length of a round.

> I don’t care how many guys are in a group as long as they take less than 4 hours to play a round.

> I also find it comical that all the foursomes on WRX play in 3-1/2 hours or less, they just never seem to be in front of me.

>

 

I agree with almost 100% of what you said. Especially the efficiency comment, it’s what I’ve said here many times. It’s what decides a group (or even a single player’s speed around the course).

 

The last line though, I don’t know. I’ve played with probably a dozen WRX’ers and every single one of them plays quickly. I’m sure the slow ones are out there, but i don’t doubt most of the 3 1/2 time mentions.

 

 

[braincramp52]

> @vpexp said:

> > @cardoustie said:

> > I played as a 5 both days this weekends

> > Pushing group in front of us and group behind us miles back both days

> > Private course and paths only

> > Ready golf ... some can and some can't

> > 5 man wolf is awesome

>

> Same for us. Private course, play Wolf, 3:45 is our usual time unless we get stuck behind a slow foursome. 5 guys that play ready golf move quicker than lots of foursomes, especially foursomes that grind like they are in a US Open (and shoot 81)

>

 

What's wrong with shooting a 81? :/

[bladehunter]

> @vpexp said:

> > @bladehunter said:

> > > @vpexp said:

> > > > @cardoustie said:

> > > > I played as a 5 both days this weekends

> > > > Pushing group in front of us and group behind us miles back both days

> > > > Private course and paths only

> > > > Ready golf ... some can and some can't

> > > > 5 man wolf is awesome

> > >

> > > Same for us. Private course, play Wolf, 3:45 is our usual time unless we get stuck behind a slow foursome. 5 guys that play ready golf move quicker than lots of foursomes, especially foursomes that grind like they are in a US Open (and shoot 81)

> > >

> >

> > What does that mean ? You guys don’t putt out , or ?

> It means when it is our turn we hit/putt in short order and we get to our ball and in position efficiently. We don’t wait until it is our turn and then read a putt from all angles. We don't wait until it is our turn to get a yardage. When it is our turn to hit we don’t agonize over which club we are going hit, then get over the ball only to back off and think about it again. We do give putts that don’t matter to the outcome of the game if they are in the leather. We don’t take 15 minutes looking for a ball.

> You guys act like it should take a fivesome 25% more time to play a round. I guess a single should be able to play in an hour, a twosome 2 hours? The recent article on GWRX showed that the vast majority of the time taken to play a round of golf was spent on something other than hitting a golf shot, which is obvious. How efficient you are between shots determines the length of a round.

> I don’t care how many guys are in a group as long as they take less than 4 hours to play a round.

> I also find it comical that all the foursomes on WRX play in 3-1/2 hours or less, they just never seem to be in front of me.

>

 

The grind part was the question. What do you consider grinding. To me it’s trying your best in every shot. Which seems to be what you describe. The Guys who get on the green then walk up and slap at the ball and pick it up from 4 ft isn’t grinding. But he’s also not playing golf.

 

I also take exception to the last point. I’d gladly walk and you ride and bet you’d have trouble keeping up.

[dpb5031]

> @vpexp said:

> > @bladehunter said:

> > > @vpexp said:

> > > > @cardoustie said:

> > > > I played as a 5 both days this weekends

> > > > Pushing group in front of us and group behind us miles back both days

> > > > Private course and paths only

> > > > Ready golf ... some can and some can't

> > > > 5 man wolf is awesome

> > >

> > > Same for us. Private course, play Wolf, 3:45 is our usual time unless we get stuck behind a slow foursome. 5 guys that play ready golf move quicker than lots of foursomes, especially foursomes that grind like they are in a US Open (and shoot 81)

> > >

> >

> > What does that mean ? You guys don’t putt out , or ?

> It means when it is our turn we hit/putt in short order and we get to our ball and in position efficiently. We don’t wait until it is our turn and then read a putt from all angles. We don't wait until it is our turn to get a yardage. When it is our turn to hit we don’t agonize over which club we are going hit, then get over the ball only to back off and think about it again. We do give putts that don’t matter to the outcome of the game if they are in the leather. We don’t take 15 minutes looking for a ball.

> You guys act like it should take a fivesome 25% more time to play a round. I guess a single should be able to play in an hour, a twosome 2 hours? The recent article on GWRX showed that the vast majority of the time taken to play a round of golf was spent on something other than hitting a golf shot, which is obvious. How efficient you are between shots determines the length of a round.

> I don’t care how many guys are in a group as long as they take less than 4 hours to play a round.

> I also find it comical that all the foursomes on WRX play in 3-1/2 hours or less, they just never seem to be in front of me.

>

From above:

"How efficient you are between shots determines the length of a round..."

 

Perfectly stated! If each player in the group is ready to pull the trigger as soon as it's his turn to hit, pace of play is practically a non-issue no matter the group size (within reason)

[vpexp]

> @lawsonman said:

> > @vpexp said:

> > > @cardoustie said:

> > > I played as a 5 both days this weekends

> > > Pushing group in front of us and group behind us miles back both days

> > > Private course and paths only

> > > Ready golf ... some can and some can't

> > > 5 man wolf is awesome

> >

> > Same for us. Private course, play Wolf, 3:45 is our usual time unless we get stuck behind a slow foursome. 5 guys that play ready golf move quicker than lots of foursomes, especially foursomes that grind like they are in a US Open (and shoot 81)

> >

>

> What's wrong with shooting a 81? :/

 

> @lawsonman said:

> > @vpexp said:

> > > @cardoustie said:

> > > I played as a 5 both days this weekends

> > > Pushing group in front of us and group behind us miles back both days

> > > Private course and paths only

> > > Ready golf ... some can and some can't

> > > 5 man wolf is awesome

> >

> > Same for us. Private course, play Wolf, 3:45 is our usual time unless we get stuck behind a slow foursome. 5 guys that play ready golf move quicker than lots of foursomes, especially foursomes that grind like they are in a US Open (and shoot 81)

> >

>

> What's wrong with shooting a 81? :/

Nothing if you don’t slow down the pace of play to do it.

 

[vpexp]

> @bladehunter said:

> > @vpexp said:

> > > @bladehunter said:

> > > > @vpexp said:

> > > > > @cardoustie said:

> > > > > I played as a 5 both days this weekends

> > > > > Pushing group in front of us and group behind us miles back both days

> > > > > Private course and paths only

> > > > > Ready golf ... some can and some can't

> > > > > 5 man wolf is awesome

> > > >

> > > > Same for us. Private course, play Wolf, 3:45 is our usual time unless we get stuck behind a slow foursome. 5 guys that play ready golf move quicker than lots of foursomes, especially foursomes that grind like they are in a US Open (and shoot 81)

> > > >

> > >

> > > What does that mean ? You guys don’t putt out , or ?

> > It means when it is our turn we hit/putt in short order and we get to our ball and in position efficiently. We don’t wait until it is our turn and then read a putt from all angles. We don't wait until it is our turn to get a yardage. When it is our turn to hit we don’t agonize over which club we are going hit, then get over the ball only to back off and think about it again. We do give putts that don’t matter to the outcome of the game if they are in the leather. We don’t take 15 minutes looking for a ball.

> > You guys act like it should take a fivesome 25% more time to play a round. I guess a single should be able to play in an hour, a twosome 2 hours? The recent article on GWRX showed that the vast majority of the time taken to play a round of golf was spent on something other than hitting a golf shot, which is obvious. How efficient you are between shots determines the length of a round.

> > I don’t care how many guys are in a group as long as they take less than 4 hours to play a round.

> > I also find it comical that all the foursomes on WRX play in 3-1/2 hours or less, they just never seem to be in front of me.

> >

>

> The grind part was the question. What do you consider grinding. To me it’s trying your best in every shot. Which seems to be what you describe. The Guys who get on the green then walk up and slap at the ball and pick it up from 4 ft isn’t grinding. But he’s also not playing golf.

>

> I also take exception to the last point. I’d gladly walk and you ride and bet you’d have trouble keeping up.

You sound like you would be a welcome member in our group. You play efficiently to maintain the pace of play and allow your ego to make bets you have no idea if you have a chance to win?

[cardoustie]

I will say that the one key is hit when ready. Doesn't matter who is farthest from the pin from the fairway or away on the green

We routinely have guys hitting in from 110 if another guy and his partner are farther out and one guy is maybe taking a drop

I understand that some guys get flustered and can't play in this manner

In Wolf, the tee sequence does matter however

VPEXP, you can play in my game. You "get it."

[Carl Spackler3]

The only fast group on the course is the one right behind you

[Roadking2003]

> @vpexp said:

> You guys act like it should take a fivesome 25% more time to play a round. I guess a single should be able to play in an hour, a twosome 2 hours? The recent article on GWRX showed that the vast majority of the time taken to play a round of golf was spent on something other than hitting a golf shot, which is obvious. How efficient you are between shots determines the length of a round.

This is true. It only takes 30 - 40 minutes to hit shots. The remaining 200+ minutes are walking, riding, watching, or waiting.

[Golfer4Life]

I don't see that issue at my club. The only time they allow that is with outings, otherwise is not an issue.

 

Fivesomes don't bother me as much as people playing the wrong tees for their game. That slow things down even more so than a fivesome.

[Deceptively Short]

Earlier in this thread there was mention of UK courses that are two ball only. As an illustration of the origins of this, I played a Foursomes (alternate shot) Bogey competition last week at a 120 plus year old club, a cup that had been played for, with the exception of the WW2 years, every year since 1928. There were188 competitors starting at 7.30 until 3.00 - the definition of fast competitive golf and 3 hour rounds.

[Shilgy]

> @"Deceptively Short" said:

> Earlier in this thread there was mention of UK courses that are two ball only. As an illustration of the origins of this, I played a Foursomes (alternate shot) Bogey competition last week at a 120 plus year old club, a cup that had been played for, with the exception of the WW2 years, every year since 1928. There were188 competitors starting at 7.30 until 3.00 - the definition of fast competitive golf and 3 hour rounds.

 

Being that you were playing foursomes, alternate shot, I would expect 3 hours maximum. It is essentially the same as playing two ball.

[rogolf]

> @Shilgy said:

> > @"Deceptively Short" said:

> > Earlier in this thread there was mention of UK courses that are two ball only. As an illustration of the origins of this, I played a Foursomes (alternate shot) Bogey competition last week at a 120 plus year old club, a cup that had been played for, with the exception of the WW2 years, every year since 1928. There were188 competitors starting at 7.30 until 3.00 - the definition of fast competitive golf and 3 hour rounds.

>

> Being that you were playing foursomes, alternate shot, I would expect 3 hours maximum.** It is essentially the same as playing two ball. **

 

It can be that if it is played that way. Otherwise, it's two people discussing every shot and putt, taking longer than an individual.

I once asked a past chairman of a committee what he considered the appropriate number of people for the committee. He replied, "Well, it should be an odd number." This made sense to me in terms of voting. Then he added, "And three is too high."

[Shakester]

I've gone out as a 5some once. We were suppose to be in two groups of 3somes but one of our guys bailed out. The starter asked the group behind us if it was okay if we played as a 5some and they had no problems with it and they got bumped up a spot as well since they would have been behind both our groups. We kept pace the entire round and still finished in 4.5 hours and constantly had to wait for the group in front of us.

[SnapHooker_307]

> @cardoustie said:

> I will say that the one key is hit when ready. Doesn't matter who is farthest from the pin from the fairway or away on the green

> We routinely have guys hitting in from 110 if another guy and his partner are farther out and one guy is maybe taking a drop

> I understand that some guys get flustered and can't play in this manner

> In Wolf, the tee sequence does matter however

> VPEXP, you can play in my game. You "get it."

 

100% agree. Hit when ready. Another key is dropping someone off close to the green and them just bringing a couple wedges and a putter with them while the one closer to the parking spot drives the cart up, doesn't matter who's bag is on the drivers side. We do the same thing if our ball is off in the native grass, grab a couple clubs to bring with you while looking for it and go. Usually the lie isn't good enough to go for the green anyways, so punch it out to a good number and move on. Little things shave off a lot of time by the end of the round.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

Played a 9 hole all walking sixsome last week in 2 hours. Can't recall ever playing as a 6 but we were all trying to squeeze in 9 before our 9 hole league.

 

Do I prefer or am I endorsing 5 or 6some? No--- but they can be played in a proper period of time. Also we would have never attempted this if anyone was close to being behind us even if just for the reason that the optics are bad.

[QEight]

> @Shakester said:

> I've gone out as a 5some once. We were suppose to be in two groups of 3somes but one of our guys bailed out. The starter asked the group behind us if it was okay if we played as a 5some and they had no problems with it and they got bumped up a spot as well since they would have been behind both our groups. We kept pace the entire round and still finished in 4.5 hours and constantly had to wait for the group in front of us.

 

Keeping in 4,5 hour pace is not difficult, even for 5some, walking. Let's not get too relaxed on standards.

[ScratchyDawg]

5somes are pretty normal at my club. My regular group usually plays 5somes several days a week. We have 15-20 guys most days. Some guys even walk. It's a pretty short course (6700 from the tips). It's never caused a problem, even on busy days. We play in under 4 hours per group pretty regularly, but we're all pretty much scratch.