When to pick up....

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By Speedy

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  • 11 Replies
  1. Speedy

    Speedy
    East Coast, NH

    Yesterday I had a tee time for 2:15. Due to a passing storm, things were pushed back to about 20 minutes. Ok, no problem. Starter called us out and told us 2 groups in front of us were a little slow and the group in front of us were fast.. Ok, no biggy...

    Pace of play was HORRIBLE and no starter to be found.. We really didn't think we get all 18 in.. 2 of the players left after 9.. So me and my buddy figured we stick it out..

    We got to the 17th tee box and I see a gentleman right in front of a huge bolder. I'm thinking to myself, he can't be serious? I've been watching this guy the whole back 9 and there's no way he can do this.. I watch this guy for the next 5-7 minutes hit balls all over the place mind you we're trying to finish before dark.. Here's what i watch:

    Took 2 shots to clear the bolder which ended up sideways and AWAY from the hole and in the rough.

    3 shots out of the rough into the bunker

    3-5 shots out of the bunker (lost count after he got frustrated and started swinging like a mad man in the bunker)

    4 putts to the hole..

    The best part about this, his wife putted out for a 3 AND raked the bunker after he went ballistic......

    Trust me I wanted to clap my hands after he finally picked up but I didn't wanna be that guy...

    Thankfully we finished 18 with a beautiful sunset...

    I have NEVER seen anything like that in my life. I have a limit; 6 for a par 3, 7 strokes for a par 4 and 8 for a par 5 UNLESS i'm playing in a tournament where everything counts. But just playing for fun.. come on.... Pick up and move on...

    Am I right?!?!

  2. Speedy

    Speedy
    East Coast, NH

    BTW, that 17th hole was a 125 yard, Par 3.....
  3. Tyler H

    Tyler H
    Appleton, WI

    Based on my current index the USGA says the maximum I can take on a hole is a 7. The handicap system will adjust any scores on a hole down to a 7, so I just pick up at 7 during a casual round of golf.

    Stroke play events are a whole different story - you need to hole the ball out.
  4. Dave A

    Dave A

    Yep, this is how I do it too. If I'm at my hcp max, I pick up unless it's a tap-in putt for casual rounds.
  5. No'l

    No'l
    Palmdale, CA

    Christopher H. said:

    BTW, that 17th hole was a 125 yard, Par 3.....

    Oh, geez, I'm sorry you had to see that. The worst thing in golf is waiting. I know how that is, but I'll admit, the first 6 months to a year when I started to play, I used to be very slow. I never really knew I was slow until I played a different course- thank goodness for that- I learned something, but it was terrible for the group behind us. The course I used to play takes 5 hours to play- we were always right up the group in front. But sometimes, it took six hours! This was L.A. munis back in the day. But since I started playing in the suburbs- 4 hours is usually the max. We'll drive out of L.A., friends of mine would tee off at the munis at same time, we'll play 18, and drive back and be home before they finish at the muni!

    It's not that bad anymore since the rates went up- it isn't as busy anymore.
  6. Chris Hatem

    Chris Hatem
    Boston

    Id just walk up there and ask these guys if they mind picking up the pace. I usually make some sort of joke like dinner being on the table or something along those lines. (because approaching a foursome that clearly cant demonstrate they understand golf etiquette can be a little unpredictable)
  7. fred k

    fred k
    falls church, VA

    One of the big problems i see (especially in this scenario) is the cost to play a round of golf. If this guy is paying $50-$100+ for one round, then, you better believe, he's going to play...every...shot...and get his money's worth. I get that there's an exorbitant cost to run a golf course, but the rising greens fees and slow play are probably two of the biggest factors that are turning people away from this game. It's unfortunate...
  8. Dino J

    Dino J
    Burnaby, BC

    Hi Christopher! I agree that it is very frustrating - especially when you are trying to beat dusk to finish your round. It is one of the major reasons why I am loathe to play twilight/sunset golf in many places. That, and the fact that many inexperienced players prefer to play at this time because of the reduced rates.

    However, I think that this scenario described brings us back to another thread about "Two Sets of Rules for Golf". If there was a set of "Recreational Rules of Golf" and a "Competitive Rules of Golf" you could probably codify that the maximum score per hole in a Recreational Set of Rules would be Triple Bogey per hole. You could also include provisions for "Ready Golf" and "Continuous Putting".

    I really believe that this would be one of a few initiatives that go a long ways towards helping speed up pace of play. The other thing is I also have to accept the fact that the time of day and the incentive pricing at many courses for these tee times, brings out the inexperienced golfers/fun-party type of golfers.

    These golfers are an important part of the game as it is often from this segment of golfers that many will get the "bug" and look at developing their skills etc. to become better golfers -- helping to increase rounds played and golf course viability.
  9. Ben A

    Ben A
    Los Gatos, CA

    Sorry and thanks for the laugh I got from reading this! Oh my goodness, how did you NOT say or do something?

    I thought I was the only guy with the kind of luck to be stuck behind someone like that. I applaud you for finishing and for having the restraint not to clap when he walked off.

    I often let stuff like that get to me too often and it can really spoil a good round.

    Hope that never happens to you again!

    Cheers!
  10. Darren B

    Darren B
    Stuart, VA

    Unless it's a tournament I completely agree....Pick it up and move on! My group usually plays by points (8 for eagle, 4 for birdie, 2 for par, 1 for bogey) so after a bogey you can't score...so put it in your pocket.
  11. Mark F

    Mark F
    Greenville, SC

    Sorry to hear about that exhibition. You are a better man than me. I would have just driven around them and gave myself a par.

    Mark F
  12. NCBob

    NCBob
    Hampstead, NC

    I would have skipped a hole and walked right by them.

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