Slow Play: The Negative Impact it has on the Game

No one wants to deal with slow golfers. Whether it is in your group, the one in front of you, or any of the golfers you are watching on TV. Slow play is bad for the game, and a lot can be done to prevent it.

Since I have been paying attention to golf, for the last 20-25 years, there has been slow players. It has been around before that too, as I’m sure names of golfers who are guilty of slow play pop into your mind, regardless of your age.

I can remember young Sergio Garcia having issues with slow play. One of the ones that is more notable from recent years is Kevin Na. The stigma has always surrounded him, and with good reason. He can take quite a while to hit the ball, and it can be infuriating to watch. The problem can be compounded if he is playing with someone who is a quick player, as it seems like the only thing that you see is the slow player.

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The slow play issue has popped up again, and this time with one of the up and coming stars (you could argue he is a star already), in Bryson DeChambeau. There was a recent wedge shot that DeChambeau hit that took him nearly 90 seconds once it was his turn to hit. He converses with his caddie most of the time, talking about air density among other things. He finally hits the ball, and play proceeds.

In a recent interview with Michael Weston, Brooks Koepka took issue with it, and stated that the process should be fairly simple under most circumstances. “It’s always between two clubs; there’s a miss short, there’s a miss long.” Most of what he says is true, and could do a lot to speed up the game.

It’s the case wherever, and whoever you are. If you know you are going to be the first person to hit, you can think about and discuss the situation as you are walking up to it with your caddie, or in the public’s case, on your own. It’s rude and arguably disrespectful to wait until you are at your ball before even thinking about your shot. It’s the same case if you aren’t the first one to hit.

Waiting until the other people in your group have shot to start thinking about your process is essentially saying that you don’t value their time, and that your time is more important than theirs. You should have nearly everything figured out by the time you get to your ball. You know the distance approximately, and what the weather is like.

It’s like Koepka said, “If it’s blowing 30 I understand taking a minute and taking some extra time with some gusts, you know changing just slightly, I get that but if it’s a calm day there’s no excuse.” Still, when it’s that windy, you still know the line you are hitting on, and how much extra (or less) club to give it. Waiting in between gusts for a short period is acceptable. Waiting 90 seconds for the wind to change? That’s not okay.

There’s something that we teach in high school golf, and it should apply to more people out there playing the game. Playing ready golf. When two shots are semi close in their distance, whoever gets their first should play, in order to save time, and daylight. It’s an issue that is had playing in Northwest Washington, where good weather and daylight is limited.

I’m not suggesting that everyone play ready golf, or that heaven forbid pros should do it. What I am suggesting is that when you are playing, think about your shot as you walk up to it. When you get to your ball and it is your time to hit, be ready. If your playing partner is hitting, figure out your yardage and club in advance. When it is your turn, all your prep is done, and you are ready to hit.

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Doing so is going to make everyone in your group happy. Regardless of how good you are, they are going to appreciate it. From lowly golfers, to those who have won multiple majors like Brooks Koepka.

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