Penalized for slow play??

Mr. Bean · May 23, 2019

> @Roadking2003 said:

> > @"Mr. Bean" said:

> > It seems you are missing the point here. We were talking about a situation where a group has fallen behind after having trouble finding their ball(s) and they are not gaining the lost distance by merely shooting quickly.

> >

> > And we are waiting for to hear your "other ways". As a referee I would love to learn new tools to offer to those groups having fallen behind. Please, do share your knowledge with the rest of us. From the tone of your voice you must have an ample of that...

> I'll ignore your caustic comments and answer your question anyway.

>

> In my experience, time is mostly lost when players frequently look for lost balls, are not ready to hit when it's their turn, or waste time chatting on the tee box, or they refuse to play ready golf.

>

> I would never ask anybody to run while playing golf. If golfers can't keep pace by doing all of the normal things that speed up play, **then the target pace is too fast**.

>

> If the target pace of play doesn't allow for lost balls, **then it's the wrong pace**. A golfer should never have to run to make up for the three minutes he spent looking for a ball.

>

> BTW, a group falling behind is not the end of the world.

>

I have drafted quite a few PoP tables in my time and I can tell you that they are always more than generous and any golfer with half a brain can play under the maximum time allowed should they want to. However, it is not only about the theoretical pace (i.e. the PoP table) but the actual pace on the average. If first 10 groups have played first 5 holes 10 minutes faster than the maximum time but the group #11 has fallen behind holding the groups #12 onwards back the players just need to pick up speed **even though they are not behind the PoP maximum time**. How they do it is totally irrelevant but they MUST do it. If they need to run, then they run.

Do understand this: it is the group's responsibility to keep up with the group in front of it. If they lose time in searching a ball that responsibility still remains, no excuses accepted. Do also realize that running on a golf course occurs extremely seldom as mere walking faster does wonders to the pace of a group.

Mr. Bean · May 23, 2019

> @rogolf said:

> > @Roadking2003 said:

> > > @"Mr. Bean" said:

> > > It seems you are missing the point here. We were talking about a situation where a group has fallen behind after having trouble finding their ball(s) and they are not gaining the lost distance by merely shooting quickly.

> > >

> > > And we are waiting for to hear your "other ways". As a referee I would love to learn new tools to offer to those groups having fallen behind. Please, do share your knowledge with the rest of us. From the tone of your voice you must have an ample of that...

> > I'll ignore your caustic comments and answer your question anyway.

> >

> > In my experience, time is mostly lost when players frequently look for lost balls, are not ready to hit when it's their turn, or waste time chatting on the tee box, or they refuse to play ready golf.

> >

> > I would never ask anybody to run while playing golf. If golfers can't keep pace by doing all of the normal things that speed up play, then the target pace is too fast.

> >

> > If the target pace of play doesn't allow for lost balls, then it's the wrong pace. A golfer should never have to run to make up for the three minutes he spent looking for a ball.

> >

> > **BTW, a group falling behind is not the end of the world.**

> >

>

> Neither is getting penalized for not meeting the pace set by the Committee.

Or hitting from a divot hole.

QEight · May 23, 2019

> @Roadking2003 said:

> BTW, a group falling behind is not the end of the world.

>

But it can cause havoc e.g. in tournament if not dealt properly.

MountainKing · May 23, 2019

> @Roadking2003 said:

> > @"Mr. Bean" said:

> > It seems you are missing the point here. We were talking about a situation where a group has fallen behind after having trouble finding their ball(s) and they are not gaining the lost distance by merely shooting quickly.

> >

> > And we are waiting for to hear your "other ways". As a referee I would love to learn new tools to offer to those groups having fallen behind. Please, do share your knowledge with the rest of us. From the tone of your voice you must have an ample of that...

> I'll ignore your caustic comments and answer your question anyway.

>

> In my experience, time is mostly lost when players frequently look for lost balls, are not ready to hit when it's their turn, or waste time chatting on the tee box, or they refuse to play ready golf.

>

> I would never ask anybody to run while playing golf. If golfers can't keep pace by doing all of the normal things that speed up play, then the target pace is too fast.

>

> If the target pace of play doesn't allow for lost balls, then it's the wrong pace. A golfer should never have to run to make up for the three minutes he spent looking for a ball.

>

> BTW, a group falling behind is not the end of the world.

>

Yes it is. Pace of play is written into the rules for many tournaments and there's generally a nice section dedicated to it on a scorecard. It's part of golf. If you fall behind it's up to you and your group to figure out how to get back on track. If not you get penalized or in a casual round a ranger may all you to pick up and move to the next hole. Falling behind changes the playing conditions for groups behind the slow group, or at a muni is costs the course money by limiting tee times later in the day. It if want a big deal there wouldn't be anybody talking about, including tour players.