The 5 hour round

[lefthack]

10 minutes ago, milesgiles said:

 

So the course wasn’t busy anyway.. why on earth play as a 5? Play as a 3 and a 2 and get round quicker... jeez

 

That would have been an awkward pairing. We weren't looking to do it fast, 3 of the guys hardly ever play. It was a good time, but this is why I usually only play 9 and am solo.

[Divot License]

I don't have an issue with a fivesome playing if the course is empty, they let others through and they have permission. 

 

I've quite regularly played an evening round in a fivesome, we're all decent payers and let anyone who catches us through. 

[milesgiles]

4 minutes ago, Jedaigeki said:

I don't have an issue with a fivesome playing if the course is empty, they let others through and they have permission. 

 

I've quite regularly played an evening round in a fivesome, we're all decent payers and let anyone who catches us through. 

 

His original post sounded like he was complaining it took 5 hours lol 

[oldmotor]

While I do not like playing in a fivesome, this round didn’t seem to be an issue. A group caught them on the 15th and they let them play through. What did it matter?

Edited January 8, 2021 by oldmotor

[klebs01]

I don’t understand the hate for 5 sums. Probably why I like private golf better. Play in 5s, 6s, 12s doesn’t matter. Just play fast. Love playing in a big group in late afternoon with a fun game going. 

[ThinkingPlus]

5 minutes ago, klebs01 said:

I don’t understand the hate for 5 sums. Probably why I like private golf better. Play in 5s, 6s, 12s doesn’t matter. Just play fast. Love playing in a big group in late afternoon with a fun game going. 

The "hate" stems from the usual obsevation that such large groups rarely play at a good pace and spend more time chirping at each other than playing golf.

[Carl Spackler3]

Oh but my fivesome plays fast😂

[caniac6]

On 1/8/2021 at 11:39 AM, ThinkingPlus said:

The "hate" stems from the usual obsevation that such large groups rarely play at a good pace and spend more time chirping at each other than playing golf.

The problem I have with fivesomes has more to do with the speed and rhythm within the group. I really hate waiting on an extra guy before I hit. I would even rather play a 3 than a 4. All that being said, the thread is about 5 hour rounds. That is the title.

Edited January 13, 2021 by caniac6

[klebs01]

3 hours ago, Carl Spackler3 said:

Oh but my fivesome plays fast😂

I’ve been a member at 2 clubs where 5s are the standard a pace is still 330-345. Not just me. 🤣 I guess that the point though.  Slow people are going to be slow regardless of playing in a group of 2 or 5. The focus needs to be on the slow player. 

[Bronzed aussie]

I reckon playing behind the Friday arvo drunks at a public course , 5 hours later once was my final inspiration to join a club . There’s only so much you can take 2-3 shots ea off the tee sideways , riotous laughter . Stuff that 

[KGGolf]

I don't mind the length of time it takes to play a round being 5 hours so long as the rhythm is good.

 

Also, sometimes 4 isn't enough. I've played with groups of 5,6,8 and 10. one just has to understand being courteous to other groups and letting them play through. 

 

 

[RobotDoctor]

On 11/29/2020 at 9:30 PM, aenemated said:

 

Well, if you insist ... 

 

Sierra Lakes out in El Segundo ...

 

 

Goose Creek out in Jurupa Valley ... (that right there is a tricky tee shot)

 

 

A particularly nice approach on 18 at Angeles National ... 

 

 

Heading to #1 at Rustic Canyon ...

 

 

Pretty sure this is from Coyote Hills around Fullerton ...

 

 

Of course, my beloved Oak Quarry in Riverside ...

 

 

Ah hell, why not one more from Oak Quarry ...

 

 

And wouldn't be complete without Destroyer (aka Tiger's old track)

 

 

Think this was at Griffith Park ... 

 

 

Look at all those Goat Tracks!  Sheesh!!!!

😉

[RobotDoctor]

I really believe most golf could easily be played between 3 and 4 hours (max).  The biggest issue for me for a long round is the mental aspect of the game.  I have learned to be better to relax and accept the long round even thought I despise it.  I don't get as frustrated now which leads me to focus better on making the shot when I am able.  Don't get me wrong, I still think it is really ridiculous when people think their 3 foot putt needs to be looked at from every square inch of the green, from every angle.  People need to learn to play ready golf, pay attention to where playing partner's balls end up and just move at a good pace.  Get off the green then mark your score.  My home course is a city municipal course with a lot of play but rounds tend to be around 4 hours, maybe 4.5 on slow days.  When not busy I get around in about 3 hours.

[sticksgolf]

On 11/28/2020 at 6:20 AM, phizzy30 said:

Plenty of 5 hour rounds here in LA county where I live.  It's actually the norm especially the weekends.  It's worse now since the pandemic and everyone wants to golf.  The course I played was Rancho Park(muni) in West LA and those that live in LA county know what I'm talking about.  Tee sheets are always filled to the max even weekdays and you pretty much have to make tee times 2 weeks in advance in order to get a decent time.  One round almost took us 6 hours once.  They only had 5 minute gaps between groups which is bs.  We were waiting on average 10 minutes between shots.  Every par 3 was backed up 3 groups waiting.  Started at 12 finished close to 6.  One of the most frustrating rounds in my life.  I've never played that course since and don't plan on doing so.   

 

I gave up playing Rancho after i played it one time, during the week, and that was before the Tiger Era.

 

It's bad enough in the valley...

[curt_jr]

On 1/15/2021 at 10:14 AM, RobotDoctor said:

I really believe most golf could easily be played between 3 and 4 hours (max).  The biggest issue for me for a long round is the mental aspect of the game.  I have learned to be better to relax and accept the long round even thought I despise it.  I don't get as frustrated now which leads me to focus better on making the shot when I am able.  Don't get me wrong, I still think it is really ridiculous when people think their 3 foot putt needs to be looked at from every square inch of the green, from every angle.  People need to learn to play ready golf, pay attention to where playing partner's balls end up and just move at a good pace.  Get off the green then mark your score.  My home course is a city municipal course with a lot of play but rounds tend to be around 4 hours, maybe 4.5 on slow days.  When not busy I get around in about 3 hours.

I agree with that - I think 4hr should be the max. Having to wait on every shot really takes your mental game out of focus. I, too, have tried to be more patient and relaxed, but since I usually play as a single at public courses in my area, that was out of necessity. I'll chip a ball on the tee box, or read some emails, or play more than one ball. 

 

But if i'm playing on an empty course by myself, a standard pace will be anywhere from 2hr30m - 3hr15m. Sometimes I gotta remember that i'm golfing to enjoy myself, be outside, and get away from digital life for a bit.

[Sean2]

I think a lot of long rounds has to do with the spacing of tee times. When Massachusetts initially opened for golf it was required that there be 15 minutes between tee times. When we played, we never saw anyone in front of us, or any one behind us. Of course, golf courses would never have 15 minute intervals as they want as many groups out on the course as possible. 

[Argonne69]

8 hours ago, Sean2 said:

I think a lot of long rounds has to do with the spacing of tee times. When Massachusetts initially opened for golf it was required that there be 15 minutes between tee times. When we played, we never saw anyone in front of us, or any one behind us. Of course, golf courses would never have 15 minute intervals as they want as many groups out on the course as possible. 

 

You'd think you wouldn't see anyone, but sadly there are too many slow clowns out there. On one of the first rounds I played last Spring when the courses reopened with twosomes only at 15 minute tee times we were about ready to hit our tee shots when two players came out from behind some bushes near the left OB fence. We had no idea who they were. At first we thought they might be playing the adjacent 9th heading the other way, but it sure looked like they were walking towards the first green. We asked the starter who they were, and he had no idea either. He jumped in his cart and drove up to talk to them. When he returned he informed us that it was the group ahead of us, and that they spent nearly fifteen minutes looking for a ball near the left fence behind the bushes. Grrrr. We waited for them to clear the green, and we waited for them on each of the next three shots on the par 5 2nd. Luckily for us they let us play through on the 3rd. Oy.

Edited February 18, 2021 by Argonne69

[DeadMau5 Golfer]

Over 5 hours and my blood boils..  I'm no good at waiting 30 min between shots, this includes tournament play.

[RmoorePE]

I think it comes down to expectations and if you have other plans for the day, I think 4:30 is the perfect amount of time to play a leisurely round of golf with a foursome of people you like. If I take a day off of work and me and my money game guys are drinking, playing, talking trash, etc if hole 16 comes up before 3 hours - I get bummed out. I don't want the fun to end. 4:30 means waiting on all of the par 3s, and 2nd shots on Par 5s (and any drivable par 4s). What is hard me mentally is if I cannot get the rhythm of the day, i.e. if the group in front of you is uneven. I.e. they are searching for 10 minutes on one hole then blowing through the next like they are playing polo out of their carts. So waiting and then rushing is harder mentally for me.

 

If I am out to try and play a serious game of golf 5 hours is intolerable, but a drunken charity scramble that takes 6 hours on a nice day - is always a blast. If I get paired with a group that are not fun to play with, then anything over 4 hours is terrible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Argonne69]

5 hours ago, RmoorePE said:

I think it comes down to expectations and if you have other plans for the day, I think 4:30 is the perfect amount of time to play a leisurely round of golf with a foursome of people you like. If I take a day off of work and me and my money game guys are drinking, playing, talking trash, etc if hole 16 comes up before 3 hours - I get bummed out. I don't want the fun to end. 4:30 means waiting on all of the par 3s, and 2nd shots on Par 5s (and any drivable par 4s). What is hard me mentally is if I cannot get the rhythm of the day, i.e. if the group in front of you is uneven. I.e. they are searching for 10 minutes on one hole then blowing through the next like they are playing polo out of their carts. So waiting and then rushing is harder mentally for me.

 

If I am out to try and play a serious game of golf 5 hours is intolerable, but a drunken charity scramble that takes 6 hours on a nice day - is always a blast. If I get paired with a group that are not fun to play with, then anything over 4 hours is terrible.

 

 

You can't enjoy a four hour round, and then hang out in the clubhouse or patio enjoying a drink and talking about the round? Why do the other players on the course have to sit through a long round waiting on every shot because a group or two wants to "hang out"? 

 

Edited February 23, 2021 by Argonne69

[Timmay!]

My course is notorious for letting 4+ groups play on the weekend. It's a private course but we still get pretty busy. They have also been known to let tee time players play in between tournament players. Mind you, we have three nine hole courses. In my honest opinion, I see no need to ever place the off-course group between tourney players.

[RmoorePE]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

 

You can't enjoy a four hour round, and then hang out in the clubhouse or patio enjoying a drink and talking about the round? Why do the other players on the course have to sit through a long round waiting on every shot because a group or two wants to "hang out"? 

 

Totally can and do. My group plays at whatever pace the course is at. My point being, if the course is crowded then I’m fine with that,  and if I’m signing up on a busy course I know to clear my schedule and expect a fun long round.  
 

If I expect different then I might get pissed waiting around. If it is slow I’m happy to chill out, bs and enjoy it. On a nice day out of the office what could I be doing that is better than that ? 

 

If I’m trying to squeeze in a quick round I probably should not do that on a course where a 4 hour round is not probable. 
 

It is one thing to get stuck behind a slow group, with a bunch of open holes in front of them. Then it’s the marshals job. In my case I’m talking about a slow day of golf, because that is how the course you are playing set it up. Golf course is trying to make money, they can do it how they want. 

[llewol007]

So what do you want us to do?

[ezpz]

If this current situation has shown anything (to me atleast) is that allowing 4balls to start early morning is a disaster and will probably clog the course for the rest of the day. Covid measures only allowed us to play in 2s and in some periods 3s and even when pace felt slow I couldnt get a round to last more than 3.5hrs. Hopefuly there can be some positive takeaways from this situation 🙂

[RmoorePE]

I'm headed to the course in an hour for a stableford tournament. 36 forusomes  and a shotgun start. Even worse it is on a private club so 90% of the field will have never played there. This means extra provisionals, searching in wrong areas, etc. If we get done in 5 hours will be a miracle.

 

However, I just pack lots of snacks, a bottle of water and a bottle of whisky and am excited for a fun day of golf.

[ssf301]

My goal is to someday be one of those golfers that can spend all day at the course for a round (warm up, long lazy round, maybe a meal afterward), seems like a nice way to spend a day.  However, I have too much going on to do that and 5 hour rounds would prevent me from playing much (if any golf).  Therefore, I vote that it should be legal to pummel slow players that don't keep up with the group in front of them and don't let you through. 🙂

 

I'm lucky enough to live on a private course and me and a couple other sub 5 handicaps always try to get the first tee time on the weekends.  We typically play in just under 3 hours without feeling rushed.  Everyone hitting a lot of greens in regulation helps keep the pace up.  Even when we aren't able to get the first tee time, the groups in front of us tend to automatically waive us through.

 

Bless you guys out there dealing with 5 hour rounds regularly.  There are worse ways to spend your time, but still.  You are better men/women than I am.

[dukebasketball717]

happy to say I played 4 hours and 4 minutes walking last Saturday afternoon 1:08 tee time.  

[1mcozik]

It’s a combination of hackers spending all their time looking for their pro v1 that they sliced into the woods/water, groups all driving to a tee shot, wait for x player that has to wait for the green to clear so they can hit their 8i 300 yards to the green and everyone on the green needing to make their triple bogey putt.

[phizzy30]

I'd like to add that it took my 4 some 5.5 hours to finish 18 at Industry Hills/Pacific Palms on the Ike course yesterday.  We were waiting 5-10 mins on average on every shot on every hole.  Tons of newish golfers out there as well which really held others up.  I thought they changed the rule to 2 mins to look for lost balls.  Some of these guys exceeded 5 mins.  Ridiculous.......

Edited April 5, 2021 by phizzy30

[Warrior42111]

So busy season is winding down here in FL and my regular group has played anywhere from 3 hour to 5 hr rounds. Just my observations below.

 

1. I think we as more seasoned golfers need to take the newer players under wing if paired up. I know when I started it was older golfers who taught me a lot about pace, how long to look, just go up and whack the ball ect. In my experience friendly advice is usually taken well and it is a I didn't know/understand said issue. 

 

2. Maybe slightly debatable but play ready golf (unless in competition). Congrats on your birdie, but I'm not waiting on the tee box while you fiddling with club covers and deciding what to hit. Same around the greens if someone knocks a chip/pitch to the other side and you lined up your putt go ahead and hit it. Gives the person a moment to recover and hit a non rushed shot.

 

3. If the course is backed up take it for what it is a slow round day. Nothing more annoying then a slower day and the group behind hitting it 10-15 yards behind you while you're waiting on the green to clear from 150 out all day long. As much as a 5 hr round is annoying, playing hurry up and wait cause the other group wants to play faster than possible is stupid.