Opportunity Belief

I believe that there is an unmet need in regard to pace of play in golf. Whether its recreational or competitive, almost every golfer runs into a wait on the course. Of course, playing golf is supposed to be fun, challenging, and for most people, a break from real life. Although being on the course is great, spending 5-6 hours there due to a backup or slow play isn’t what we are signing up for. The need for a solution to this problem has been around for some time, and with more and more interest in golf, the problem is getting worse. Recently the PGA proposed a series of rule changes to help speed up golf for the recreational golfer but I believe there could be a more definitive way to meet this need. This could be done in many ways, from a simple golf etiquette course required to obtain a membership, to a timing system based on average time spent on the hole. These issues cost the courses money by not being able to put as many golfers on the course, as well as losing customers due to frustration of the pace of play on a certain course.

Club pro (32 years experience)

What are your thoughts on pace of play in todays golf in general?

                “I think speeding up pace would grow the game, my son still wont play golf because spending a day golfing is a waste to him, The few times we play, his attitude is totally different after depending on the speed we were able to play”

Do you recall members complaining in the past?

                “It seems like a day doesn’t pass without someone complaining about the people in front of them or the time they spend sitting around in the heat, we have had members that play golf elsewhere, with less golfers and continue a social membership at the club”

Have you ever left mid-round due to pace of play?

                “Personally no, but I have seen it happen, I have skipped in front of groups, which doesn’t always go over well”

Without waiting, and proper etiquette, do you think amateurs could play quicker?

                “Definitely, I think that knowing how things work and the more conscious you are of whats happening behind your group could help”

How much is skill involved in pace of play?

                “Of course, the better players have better course etiquette as well so it’s hard to tell how much skill is involved, and some good golfers are just slow in general”

Would you rather have the rule change or a system to ensure players know the tips to speed up play?

                “Amateur golfers pay much attention to rules in the first place, but if every golfer knew their course etiquette from the start that could help”

Recreational golfer (5-6 years experience)

What are your thoughts on pace of play in todays golf in general?

                “It can get annoying sometimes but I love golf sso I deal with it when it happens”

Have you ever played with someone who the pace affected?

                “Oh yeah, a lot of my buddies cant stand it and lose focus, or drink a little too much beer while waiting”

Have you ever left mid-round due to pace of play?

                “Yes but only a few times, and it was due to the course overbooking more than pace at that point”

Without waiting, and proper etiquette, do you think amateurs could play quicker?

                “I think that most of the pace problem is due to players being unaware of the hold up those 3 minutes of trying to get their ball out of the water cause everyone"

How much is skill involved in pace of play?

               “Ive played with some really slow, really good golfers before, so it comes down to the individual”              

Would you rather have the rule change or a system to ensure players know the tips to speed up play?

                “I haven’t looked much into the rule change but I’m sure that would help if they were actually enforced”

College Golfer (12 years experience)

What are your thoughts on pace of play in todays golf in general?

                “It really depends on the course, I play on pretty exclusive courses but I know that my tournament rounds can take from 2 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes so it can be an issue”

Have you ever played with someone who the pace affected?

                 “Pace of play can affect anyone, I always play my best when I hit a rhythm and that can stop if I have to wait 3-6 minutes between shots”

Have you ever left mid-round due to pace of play?

                 “At my home course I leave all the time, when it gets busy with older players its slow but when the heat becomes a factor the course is almost always empty”

Without waiting, and proper etiquette, do you think amateurs could play quicker?

                  “Since anyone can pay and go play golf, the only way to learn proper pace management is to play a lot and with others who already know the ropes”

How much is skill involved in pace of play?

                   “I can play 18 holes with my teammates in about 2 hours, with a mix of playing ready golf and a pretty free playing field”

Would you rather have the rule change or a system to ensure players know the tips to speed up play?

               “If there was a way to teach amateurs how to play faster golf it would benefit everyone, but actually getting recreational and amateur golfers to abide by these would be the tough part”

Reflection

After speaking with these golfers, they see the issue but seem to not have any great ideas on fixing it. The problem is widespread among golf and can change how people view the game. The struggle of getting youth involved with golf is becoming less and less every day, and I believe with making the game a little faster, with better flow will only help. Being able to play golf, go to the beach, and still make dinner, or even squeezing in a round after work should all be options and could be with some changes. I believe this change would strengthen the game and ensure a long future for golf courses struggling to find customers.