Save Golf...Part 2

Ready to go for another round.

     Let's go back to the time issue of playing a round of golf. Again, do you really have five hours to devote to a sport on a precious weekend? To me, that's a matter of priority, but that's just my opinion, and I am retired. I knew what I was signing up for when I got into the game. Our times are different.  We live in an "instant" society.
     Golf is not a game for the "I want it now" generation. It is supposed to be slow and deliberate. The game involves a lot of decisions and actions to ponder, which takes a bit of time. One of the great things about golf is that it takes you away from that crazy world of "now". You must take the time to slow down and enjoy your surroundings.
     Here's the big question.  How do we speed things up without taking away this sacred getaway time?  The solutions is simple and it is not the 15 inch hole. Playing 18 should be the norm, even though that can be adjusted as I said in my last post.  Again, what's wrong with just playing nine at a nine hole rate.  Should you decide to play 18 then a few things do need to change with the golfer themselves.
     The PGA and television golf is a good reason that golf on a weekend, or any day is so slow. Golfers, and a lot of non-golfers as well, watch golf on TV. What people who watch golf on TV see is professional golfers playing tournaments for a lot of money whose livelihood depend on making that twelve inch putt. We have all seen how long it takes for a pro to read a green and then putt.  It can be agonizing, especially if they miss that putt, and the putt is for hundreds of thousands of dollars. That is a lot of pressure, and they should be able to take their time.
     What about Joe Blow and his foursome on Saturday not playing for any kind of money? Should Joe take five minutes trying to read a green for a twelve inch putt that means absolutely nothing to him but a score on a scorecard and bragging rights? I would say it is up to Joe, but it would sure help the game to move along if the other members of his foursome just gave the putt to him and they all pick up and move to the next hole. Why putt everything out, especially in a friendly game where there is nothing on the line? The people playing behind you would surely appreciate it.
     We have all seen this one as well.  How about the foursome that hits and instead of each person going to their ball and hitting when it is time, they go to one ball and let that person hit and then go to the next ball and wait for that person to hit and so on. What a waste of time. I see this a lot on the green.  Instead of reading the putt while the other guy is putting, that person waits for that person to putt and then reads the putt. The other three guys are waiting for that guy to putt to go to their ball and putt. Yes, golf is a social game but we need to keep the round going and this kills round times and slows the course up.
     How do you combat that? There are a lot of ways.  Perhaps a gentle reminder by the starter at the beginning of the round would help. Marshals are also the key. They should be a bit more aggressive in moving things along. They don't have to be rude, but a little more assertive and active. Give them better training and with that more authority. Teach them customer service, but also teach them how to move things along.
      That's it for part 2. I hope you have a great round and hit 'em long and straight.  Don't forget to visit my golf website at http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com.