golf imperatives web pdf

Fast Play
Speed of play is a sore point amongst golfers. Amateurs imagine pros play slowly, pros say the
same about amateurs, men insist that women are slow and vice versa.
The true problem lies deeper. Why play faster ?
If you take the afternoon to play golf, so what if it takes four and a half or five hours. The time
spent in the bar afterwards isn’t given the same scrutiny!
No, the reason to play faster is financial, clubs make money by fitting the maximum number of
players on the golf course and the PGA Tour has a television deadline to meet.
Why not return to the proven formula still practiced in some old established clubs where four
ball matches are the norm, mostly foursomes and 4BBB. Singles are not allowed on the course
and two balls only in the final round of the Open Championship.
If we were to play only four ball matches, either organised by the club or amongst friends, the
time taken to play 18 holes would become less important and the number of players on the
course would be optimised.
Changes to golf etiquette have recently allowed a two ball the right to play through a preceding
three or four ball match. We also see too often a single player insisting on playing through the
group in front. All these matches of one, two, three and four balls together make for a forgettable
afternoon of golf.
Let’s hope clubs in the future will put emphasis on quality of play and not the quantity of tee
times.
16 GOLF IMPERATIVES