The Las Positas Men's Club expects all groups in its tournaments to keep up with the group in front of it. If your group falls more than 1 hole behind the group in front of you, you will be considered a "slow" group, and subject to the policy as noted below.
POLICY: Members identified as slow-playing will be put on a list. This list will be published on the Men's Club bulletin board, in the ChipShots and on the Club website. Members on the list will be given tee times at the end of any tournaments they participate in. To be removed from the list, you must not be warned for slow play in your next 2 tournaments.
You will be added to the list when you are warned for slow play by a member of the Tournament Committee (typically Jeff DeBenedetti and one or more of the golf shop professionals). You may also receive a "heads-up" about slow play from one of the golf course marshals first. This will not get you on the list, but should be taken as notice that you are in danger of receiving a warning from the committee if you do not catch up.
This policy will be effective beginning with tournaments held in October, 2003.
Current Members on Slow Play List
As of August 1, 2007:
- None
Tournaments During the last couple of General and Board meetings, there has been a lot of discussion about pace of play. The consensus seems to be that while our tournaments haven't been really bad (4:45 for our last groups), this could still be improved. We spent a lot of time a couple of years ago on this topic and showed significant improvement, and we need to pay attention to it again.
In the interests of getting another data point for the discussion, I tried an experiment over the holiday weekend. Due to the frost delays, the course was empty in the morning, so I took a walk. I started at the first tee, and following the cartpaths, walked the course all the way to the 18th green. I tried to walk at a pace similar to when I am carrying a golf bag or pushing a golf cart, and I believe using the cartpath simulated a typical round - not always down the middle!
Time for the walk ..1 hour, 15 minutes!
If your goal is a 4-hour round, this leaves 2 hours, 45 minutes for executing the shots during the round, getting something at the snack bar at the turn, etc. If you go through a lot of math and break it down, if you have a foursome where the average score is 90, this allows you a little less than 30 seconds per shot. While that may not sound like a long time, they only give the pros 45 seconds per shot, and they are playing for the big bucks - you're not!
The Cardinal Rule - KEEP UP WITH THE GROUP IN FRONT OF YOU! Our first few groups routinely play in 4 hours or less; if everyone just keeps up, we all finish in 4 hours, right?
Some other tips to help speed up the pace of play:
** Play ready golf - don't be so concerned with who's away or who's honor it is on the tee. If you're there first, just hit the ball!
** Do your chatting, tell your jokes, etc. while you walk or ride between shots. When it's time to hit, shut up and let 'er rip.
** While someone else is getting ready to hit, or hitting, you should be getting ready also. Go ahead and start your club selection, read your putt, whatever. If you can overlap your 30 seconds with the rest of your group, you can move things along.
** Be aware of the tournament format and whether your next stroke matters - grinding over that 3 foot putt for a 8 that won't count in a two-man best ball format just wastes time. Pick it up, write down a realistic score for handicap purposes, and move along. Obviously, tournaments where every stroke counts (individual medal, etc.) may be a little slower; just be sure to use the previous tips, and you'll be fine.
** If two players are done putting, start heading to the next tee. The other two can finish up and put the flag in.
** Before putting, put your bag or cart on the side of the green towards the next tee. When you're done, you'll clear the green faster and be heading in the right direction.
Bottom line, if we all remind each other to keep it moving, we'll all be playing faster, which will leave more time for a beer in the bar!