Slow play. It’s probably at the top of most golfers’ complaint lists. Everyone is in such a hurry to get through the game that they can’t stand to be held up for even a minute. But if everyone knows how much it burns other golfers, then why do they do it?
Many have brought up the idea that the it’s the pros who cause the game to be played so slowly. I can understand that. Watching the pros at a tournament can be flat-out boring at some points. Taking an endless amount of practice swings, wandering around the ball for a little while, then taking a few more practice swings before they finally hit the ball…my goodness! Just wake me up when he’s done already!
It’s remarkable how much that sounds like the schmuck in front of you, isn’t it? That’s because the schmuck in front of you watches the tour and thinks he can/should do what they do. Well guess what slow guy…you can’t and you shouldn’t. And I’m not one to normally complain about slow play – I feel that if you’re expecting to hurry, then you’re playing the wrong game. But when someone is deliberately that slow…, you know what I’m getting at.
So in another effort to help improve viewership of the sport as well as, indirectly, improve the pace of play on the course for the rest us, I offer you another idea from the minds of golfstinks – The Stroke Clock. As you could probably figure, the stroke clock would work much the same as both the shot clock in basketball and play clock in football – You have X amount of time to get your shot off.
Think about that for a second. Another element of competition added to a sometimes pretty dull sport to watch. Not only are you playing against the field and the course, but now you are racing a clock as well! Some benefits to the clock? Well, picking up the pace of the game for starters. No more “play suspended by darkness.” No more watching a player wander around his ball and take enough practice swings that you’d think he’s in the middle of a lesson. Just get to your ball, focus and swing already!
And of course, the benefit for the rest of non-pros, speed of play on the public tracks we hack our way through every weekend is bound to speed up as well. All of those players who take their time because that’s what they see the pros do, will have a whole new outlook on the pace of the game! Well, theoretically anyway. But one could hope!
The NBA adopted a shot clock in order to improve the pace of play, therefore increasing scoring and amping up the excitement of the game. The NFL did the same when they adjusted the play clock from 45 seconds down to 40. Even MLB occasionally attempts to speed up the pace of play by putting the pitchers on a clock. And there are penalties for not abiding by each. In the NBA, you lose possession of the ball. In the NFL it’s a five-yard penalty. And in MLB, when enforced, it’s an automatic ball for the pitcher. How about losing a stroke in golf if you don’t get your shot off within 45 seconds of arriving at your ball? Seem a bit harsh? Well, maybe for a season they administer one or two warnings before assessing the stroke penalty. But after that season…you know the rules.
And lets face it, in a sport that has as many ridiculous rules as golf does, one to speed up the pace of play and possibly make the game more exciting might be one to consider implementing.
Swing ’til you’re happy!
I would love to someone like Ben Crane (who recently admitted to his slow play antics) have to face a shot clock. It would give them a better sense of urgency to just get on with the game. Unfortunately takes a bit more precision then say basketball or football, obviously why they take their time on the course. Fantastic idea though it would be great to see what the players would do to cope with the pressure of a shot clock ha.
The Speed Freak……every golf group has at least one. You know him. He’s the guy that freaks out if your group gets a half-a-hole behind. He’s constantly monitoring the group’s position relative to the group in front…..he pays more attention to that group than the guys he’s playing with.
If the Speed Freak gets really pissed, he’ll forget about “honors”, jump on the tee, tee off, then grab his bag and stalk off down the side of the fairway before the rest of the group tees off.
Everyone has trouble on the course sometime during a round. A lost ball or an especially tricky shot can result in a delay; it’s part of the game. The Speed freak has no patience for this……unless it’s him that’s in trouble. Not a peep about fast play then!
My group plays public golf, usually at Brookside in Pasadena, CA. No matter where we play, the rounds are always 4-5 hours long…..golf is not a fast game, as games go. So why does the Speed Freak feel so compelled to finish in a hurry?
And why does he always remind you that you’re playing too slow just before you’re about to hit an important shot or putt?
Sadly in this day and age, it always seems to be a race against time. I’ve got to say your post is great!
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We have a buddy we call “33 Seconds”. He literally stands over every shot for 33 seconds. We count it down. He twitches. Re-grips. Does a leg wiggle. Re-grips again. Takes a deep breath. And on and on. It’s brutal man.
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