If you’ve been reading this blog, you know that I love golf as much as anyone. And not just playing it – I love golf for its honor, traditions and sportsmanship.
But golf isn’t perfect. The National Golf Foundation recently found two things: 1) the number of rounds played has dropped significantly from its heyday in the 90’s (some believe golf is in crisis), and 2) ninety percent of people surveyed said slow play is the biggest factor spoiling their enjoyment of the game. While surely there are other reasons for golf’s decline, these two things must be connected. Slow pace of play is negatively affecting the game.
When Mr. Egger took me out for my first round of golf (way back in the olden days), he was adamant that we keep up with the group in front of us. He said pace of play was more important than anything else, including how well I played. To play slowly would be inconsiderate to the players behind us.
And he was right. Playing golf is like driving on a one-lane highway with a 55 mph speed limit, but the car in front of you is only doing 30 mph. Everyone behind the slow driver is forced to do 30 mph when the driving “pace” is much faster. It’s not fun.
But soooooooo many players today don’t keep up with the group in front of them. Are they all inconsiderate? And if they are, are golfers the only people who’ve become inconsiderate or is it everyone? I was sitting in my car literally pondering this question when a woman in a huge SUV parked next to me, flung open her door and dinged my car. I’m inclined to think it’s not just golfers.
But we golfers need to take care of our sport. My blog last week praised us for abiding by the rules even in the absence of rules officials. It should be the same with pace of play. It’s our responsibility to keep up with the group in front of us. Until we do this, golf may continue to suffer.
Great blog post, Patty. This actually can apply to so many other things in life, as well. #courtesycounts
From your lips to the Golf Gods’ ears, Patty! You know it’s our EWGA mantra.
Where are the golf police when you need them!
Very on point Patty…! This happens on tennis courts too. When the buzzer rings players should be exiting the courts, not still playing or chatting. A little courtesy goes a long way!
I think the majority of people are worried about who is coming up behind them, rather than who is in front. We should all be “forward thinkers”.
WELL SAID, MARGARET! Forward thinkers, I love it!
My biggest pet peeve is when the group in front stand on the green posting the hole scores on their card instead of getting off and doing it on the next hole!
I think the problem is with the golf courses. It is not EWGA causing the problem, we know what we are doing. It is the fact that golf courses let uneducated golfers on the course because they need their money. Why they don’t put a Ranger on the first tee box and explain the rules like, keep up with the group in front of you, don’t shoot from the blue tees those are for pros–use the white…….
Good point Barbara! At private courses, members police themselves. If someone is slow, they’re reported. We public players have no recourse. So making sure players keep the pace is left up to the course, and most of them do a pretty bad job of it.
i swear that you and Steve were twins separated at birth… He has a lot to say about slow play and slow players!