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.    
   

Save Golf? Part One

     This week saw the PGA and the CEO of Taylor Made coming together to solve the problem of stagnant growth in the game of golf.  Their answer was pretty radical, changing the size of the hole from four and one-half inches to fifteen inches in diameter.  Will this be the answer? I say, no way.
     I have been playing golf now for well over 45 years.  There are a couple of things in the game that cause a potential problems.  First is the time it takes to complete a round of golf and second the cost to be involved in the game. Given the TV ratings on golf broadcasts and the rise of the Golf Channel, the game is still very popular, its just that play is down. Let's talk about that for a minute shall we?
      Consider the time constraint of finishing 18 holes of golf. A game of golf should be completed in no more than just over four hours and fifteen minutes in my opinion. I have completed rounds, at a leisurely pace by the way and not pushing it, in just over three hours. Why is it that play can take up to five to six hours?  It just doesn't make sense but long rounds time wise are common place, especially on weekends. Let's face it there are more people on the course. How come a round takes that long?
     Why the importance of completing a round of 18 holes?  What's wrong with just playing nine if you have a time crunch?  Should all courses have a nine hole rate? That is something to consider. Two hours on a golf course is better than four and a half if you can't spend that much time on a game. You still can enjoy the game and have the option of playing 18 some other time when you have the time. I know that it takes a change in perception but why not?
     I will have more on all of this in my next few posts.  Until the next post, hit 'em long and straight. By the way, visit my website at http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com.  I am still building it, but it is up and running. I am working very hard right now to complete the course directory so keep coming back.  It will be completed soon.

The first tee at Catalina Island.  Yes, they do have a golf course.

We're Moving

     Today I would like to announce that Golf and Travel With Dave is moving. I have decided to pursue my dream of a complete website which will include a golf blog. I hope that you will come over and take a look. The website deals with courses that you can play that I have played, as well as some other things like golf travel.  I hope to be offering group travel as well so that you can join me to play some of these wonderful and challenging courses.  There will be more to come.
     Thank you for stopping by and supporting me, I appreciate it.  The new website is http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com.  I am still in the process of working on it so if you will be patient for a couple of weeks, I would appreciate that as well.  Stop on by for at least a sneak preview.
     Thanks again!

Dave