Started losing friends - after playing SLOW golf

Since the other thread is about losing friends after playing good golf.


I fear I may start losing some friends after playing slow golf.

Here's my routine:
1) Check direction, check wind
2) 2-3 free swings.
3) 5-6s pause before initiating swing

For putting:
1) Go to the opposite side of ball to check slope
2) Go to 50% mark to check slope
3) Free swing 3-4 times
4) After 5s pause, start to putt


Some low handicap friends are getting impatient with me.

I can understand as I have played with golfers who take ages to play their ball, look for lost balls, daydream, don't pick up their ball after shooting double par, etc.
Playing a round can sometimes stretch more than 5 hours for 4 balls.
But then, golf is a game of patience isn't it?

Read the following points and try to implement them. You will speed up your play and stop annoying your friends in the process:

http://mag.thegcw.co.uk/issues/4-Colsaerts/speed-up-your-game.html

Chunky Munky wrote:

Read the following points and try to implement them. You will speed up your play and stop annoying your friends in the process:

http://mag.thegcw.co.uk/issues/4-Colsaerts/speed-up-your-game.html

Super funny article!

Thanks for sharing

wah...

5-6s pause before swing or putt.. that is a loooonnnnnng time. And this coupled with you checking the wind.. direction and what clubs to choose and what shot to make.. 

Its not about whether the game is of patience.. its about disrupting the pace of play for some. A four ball should complete with 4 1/2 hrs.

Fishing is a patience game, golf is a gentlemen game. You must respect the game, rules and other players on the course.

No issue to do free swings, it will/should increase your confidence but try not have too much swing thoughts which result in otherwise during execution. 

Final, enjoy the game and company with khakis are most important.

flashpacker wrote:

Since the other thread is about losing friends after playing good golf.


I fear I may start losing some friends after playing slow golf.

Here's my routine:
1) Check direction, check wind
2) 2-3 free swings.
3) 5-6s pause before initiating swing

For putting:
1) Go to the opposite side of ball to check slope
2) Go to 50% mark to check slope
3) Free swing 3-4 times
4) After 5s pause, start to putt


Some low handicap friends are getting impatient with me.

I can understand as I have played with golfers who take ages to play their ball, look for lost balls, daydream, don't pick up their ball after shooting double par, etc.
Playing a round can sometimes stretch more than 5 hours for 4 balls.
But then, golf is a game of patience isn't it?

there's nothing intrinsically wrong with this routine and it doesnt necessarily have to hold up play

just make sure you do all that prep while others are playing their shots. once it comes to your turn, you should at most take 1 or 2 practice swings and go.

it's all about playing ready golf. If you do this, then on the rare occasion when you need to take a bit more time, either because its a difficult green, or your ball is in a bad spot, i'm sure your playing partners will understand.

I agree with Sean76 that it is important to respect other players and their time. What annoys me are players with a damn long preshot routine, who will either be daydreaming, looking for free balls in the hazard, talking on the phone etc rather than taking the time to get ready for their next shot.

When you are on the green, whilst your friends are sizing up their putts, you should also be doing likewise. Its not necessary to wait till your turn to putt before you do your routine. This will save you some time on slow play....

scottycollector wrote:

flashpacker wrote:

Since the other thread is about losing friends after playing good golf.


I fear I may start losing some friends after playing slow golf.

Here's my routine:
1) Check direction, check wind
2) 2-3 free swings.
3) 5-6s pause before initiating swing

For putting:
1) Go to the opposite side of ball to check slope
2) Go to 50% mark to check slope
3) Free swing 3-4 times
4) After 5s pause, start to putt


Some low handicap friends are getting impatient with me.

I can understand as I have played with golfers who take ages to play their ball, look for lost balls, daydream, don't pick up their ball after shooting double par, etc.
Playing a round can sometimes stretch more than 5 hours for 4 balls.
But then, golf is a game of patience isn't it?

there's nothing intrinsically wrong with this routine and it doesnt necessarily have to hold up play

just make sure you do all that prep while others are playing their shots. once it comes to your turn, you should at most take 1 or 2 practice swings and go.

it's all about playing ready golf. If you do this, then on the rare occasion when you need to take a bit more time, either because its a difficult green, or your ball is in a bad spot, i'm sure your playing partners will understand.

I agree with Sean76 that it is important to respect other players and their time. What annoys me are players with a damn long preshot routine, who will either be daydreaming, looking for free balls in the hazard, talking on the phone etc rather than taking the time to get ready for their next shot.

Thanks. Appreciate it.
Feels vindicated for my routine.
Also like what some bros say, to execute it in between plays eg while waiting for turn and play READY GOLF

In anyway, whether play good golf or play bad golf, you will still lose your friends cos some wanna remain with certain group of same level to just enjoy the company and some would like to play with better players to improve their game.

I'm glad to have a handful of kakis who enjoy company, learn n train together.

Was paired with another golfer at MBGC one Sunday pm. Two of us set off nicely and there wasn't any flight behind us. Once we were near the green, he paced the distance between the pin to his ball. Then he chipped his ball and it landed on and rolled out of the green. He then paced the distance from the pin to his ball again and .......... After repeating the routine for 3 holes, our two ball flight was holding up a three ball flight that started one hole clear from us. After the 4th hole, I dumped him to join the 3 ball flight instead. I was not prepared to pay and have a stressed out game with someone who did not give a damn about holding up others.

Bro Gofnut, if u need golf kaki, let me know and I shall try to make it. I may not be a single handicapper but am sure  I wouldn't slow play to hold up others or disrupt others game ...

I am quite ok with slow golfers...

allow time for me to farm on my clash of clans....

Gofnut, my sympathies.
I can feel your frustration. 
I was like this when first starting out and now, 
I have also played with slow players like this too.
Game momentum is often lost.

Yes respect for the other players (same flight or behind) is important.
PM me if you need kakis. I promise I wont be that slow

flashpacker wrote:

Here's my routine:
1) Check direction, check wind
2) 2-3 free swings.
3) 5-6s pause before initiating swing

For putting:
1) Go to the opposite side of ball to check slope
2) Go to 50% mark to check slope
3) Free swing 3-4 times
4) After 5s pause, start to putt

Hi Flashpacker,

maybe you can do the routine...prior to you turn to tee off?  I do play with somebody...who will.. F me if i play slow. So i kinda know how it feels like to be slow, and have modify my routine to play faster.

Putting wise.... the 5s pause...maybe it is a bit long... my opinion only...dont flame me on this.

milos9680 wrote:

flashpacker wrote:

Here's my routine:
1) Check direction, check wind
2) 2-3 free swings.
3) 5-6s pause before initiating swing

For putting:
1) Go to the opposite side of ball to check slope
2) Go to 50% mark to check slope
3) Free swing 3-4 times
4) After 5s pause, start to putt

Hi Flashpacker,

maybe you can do the routine...prior to you turn to tee off?  I do play with somebody...who will.. F me if i play slow. So i kinda know how it feels like to be slow, and have modify my routine to play faster.

Putting wise.... the 5s pause...maybe it is a bit long... my opinion only...dont flame me on this.

Hi Milos, 
Yes I'll be getting rid of those 5s pause too though there are people who stare at the ball for 20s (no kidding)

Pre-shot routine still not so bad. I really dislike golfers who sit in the cart on Facebook or something, and only when its their turn to tee off do they slowly get out, pull on gloves, saunter up to the tee the then start teeing off.

They really should respect everyone's time and be ready at the tee when the others are teeing off

It is ok to do pre /prep .
Play with few kaki at the same pace.
As long as your behind group or course marshal dont bother with You.
Allow others to pass, dont hog the course.

It is the attitude that some drive me crazy:

Keep talking on the phone
Throw clubs
curse at every shot he make
dont help out
expected the flight mate to be his caddy

Lagi piss
keep asking "how far to the green"
using range finder, looking for few minutes like birdwatching.
zooming off while u take a back swing

Siam
bionic man that stand in the green while U are trying to attack green
blame u for not making the putt n loosing the hole

U would be most welcome if you are the "HENRY" of the group.
playing scratch with strong players, buying drinks and lunch.
U go around picking up ppl sending them home......

Go MBGC the scavengers will teach u HOW to avoid slow play

Speaking of bad attitude, I saw this guy playing in batam... After putting, put the ball on the green and whack the ball with his putter in frustration. Then, he asks his caddy to go collect the ball that has flown far far away.. disgusting

I think it is ok to paused 5-6 seconds to ensure u get a good shots or putts rather than you rush and end up with a bad shots or putts. Instead of faster u r getting slower instead.

Please allow me to reveal the truth about the about flash's pre shot routine. 

The 5 to 6 seconds is spent doing the "Jason Dufner waggle".

Nam Flog wrote:

Please allow me to reveal the truth about the about flash's pre shot routine. 

The 5 to 6 seconds is spent doing the "Jason Dufner waggle".

Haha nice one bro  
I think he is doing that for 10s.
Anyway I'm trying to get rid of this 5-6s pause/waggle

I think if PM flight, better play a bit faster, if not behind flight cannot finish 18 hole by dusk

Played with low handicappers last week.
Game is not slow now, but ready.
We had time to practise chipping at tee box/ putting on the prev green.
Sweet. 3 balls done in 4hours from blue tee. 

Thanks all!

Give more strokes, you will win them back....