At the AGM held on Tuesday, 14th November 2017 a short presentation was given proposing a “simple solution” approach to the issue of “Slow Play” (not something that is exclusive to the Par 3 Club).
The R&A emphasise that the pace of play is a group responsibility, and not down to pointing the finger at an individual player. Each member of a playing group has shared responsibility to ensure their group is adhering to the expected pace of play.
The R&A have guidelines that are easily accessible on-line which players and competition organisers can learn a lot from to help minimise slow play. However, given the nature of the Par 3 course we can take a simple approach to reducing the issue of “slow play” for our regular weekly competitions in particular.
Slow Play – The Par 3 Club Simple Solution?
The “Simple Solution” is achieved by addressing 3 questions that each playing group needs to be able answer :-
How do we know we are slow?
How do we catch up?
What if we cannot catch up?
How do we know we are slow?
When you arrive at each tee the group in front should either be on the green putting out, or just leaving the green. In which case, congratulations you are keeping pace and can remain relaxed and enjoy your game.
If however they have already left you should consider yourselves lagging behind and take steps to catch up.
How do we catch up?
There are several strategies that can help you catch up, without the need to rush round like a headless chicken! Here are just a few suggestions, but if you talk to others and check the R&A website you can find many more useful suggestions.
- “Ready Golf” – Don’t get too hung up on “who’s turn is it?” if you are ready to play and it is safe to do so, then carry on.
- Tee off straight away – If the green is clear when you get to the tee then one of the group should tee off straight away. It doesn’t really matter whose honour it is, if someone is ready to go, then go.
- Take your shot before helping to look for a lost ball. If a fellow player has hit their shot into the rough on the left, and you are over to the right side of the fairway … go and hit your shot before helping them look for their ball.
- Position your trolley ready to move away from the green quickly – Clearing the green quickly when your group has finished putting out is very important as it allows the group behind to start teeing off and keep the flow of the game going. If necessary assist your fellow players by moving their trolley for them.
- If you have “run out of shots” pick up rather than add further delay.
What if we cannot catch up?
Simple! – let the group behind through!
You are now “keeping up with play” with the group that you have just let through, so now you can concentrate on keeping up with them.