Then again, if you don’t have at least a 24 handicap or better you can’t play St Andrews. They also don’t allow motorized carts on their course.

3 1/2 hours should be the expectation, not 4 hours. The problem I run across is the arrogance and ignorance of the average American golfer who thinks that a 5 hour round is the expectation, and he doesn’t have a problem with that.

I’ve played in my last scramble, captains choice, charity tournament until I can be guaranteed that the round will finish in under 4 hours. And by guarantee I mean if it lasts longer then that my money is refunded.

Growing up I played with my Dad and brother in 2 1/2 hours on our home course. That’s 18 holes of stroke play with no gimmes.

Anyone saying they expect a 5 hour round of golf is ignorant and uninformed of how to properly pace themselves on a golf course. And golf courses that allow this slow play are their own worst enemies. Eventually it will cost them revenue and golfers like me who will give up the game before they resign themselves to 5 hours for 18 holes.

Never again!!!

Today I am unable to finish in an efficient manner. Hugh tears of joy plop onto the page as I write.

Finally, after months, no YEARS, of looking, blogging, sloshing through one redundant article after another I found your wonderful blog. Specifically your well done “Pace of Play”. Your suggestions and solutions are spot on.

The well thought out “Industry wish list for 2007″ sounded (now I’m getting chocked up again) like an echo from one of the regular thursday night meetings of “The International Pace of Play Committee” of which I am the President.

I do not know where you are located but if you are ever in the Milwaukee, Wi. area you are respectfully invited to join us.

There is a slight difference between your blog and ours. We are all Pace of Play, all the time.

Ten years ago we had to make our tee times a week in advance to accomodate the 16 golfers in our group. Today, we struggle to fill a foursome. All of our missing friends tell me they love the game, are jealous of the fact that I can still fit in a round every Saturday and they would join me if it wasn’t an all day affair. We are gonna get them back!!

Join us at our website, http://www.ipopgolf.com and talk about pace of play.

Remember: The main reason for slow play is that people are out on the golf course, walking around, in slow motion, ON PURPOSE.

This problem will not be solved untill the laggards are confronted. That will not happen with a well worded article in January. This problem has to be driven home constantly and consistantly DURING THE GOLF SEASON.

David Joseph
djoseph@wi.rr.com
http://www.ipopgolf.com

We sometimes play that way with friends. it’s great because, when you’re having a bad day, you’re having a bad day. and playing a second provisional ball of the tee often means you’ll be spending another ten minutes looking for that one too.

And by lowering the penalty of a lost ball, maybe people won’t be so desperate in trying to find it.

it would be a bit like declaring your ball unplayable. (because you can’t find it).

You might think it’s not in the spirit of the game. true. but on the other hand, the pros themselves have hundreds of people standing along the fairway, making sure no ball will be lost.

stefan

PS here is my blog .