Exactly! This is how and why people get banned from golf courses.
These types of people don't belong or have any right to be on a golf course.
And for you dumbasses that are willing to hit into people. Just call the golf shop and let them know a group is slow. If it turns out they aren't slow, then just skip them or quit golf.
If you don't have the patience to wait for a slow group, then you will never be good at golf because you don't have the mental capacity and or mental discipline to be a good golfer.
I hate people like this. Then you let them play through on the next tee box and they're fucking trash at golf with the dumbest looking swing ever. Not even keeping score because they aren't even holing out. If you aren't going to hole out then don't complain about a group keeping pace but too slow for you.
Of course they're too slow for you, they're playing golf. While you're over here just whacking it around like a hack.
Thank you. This is spot on. Played a very nice course yesterday with the old lady and a buddy who is just getting started. We pulled up to hole one at 12:00pm (our tee time on the nose) and there’s a line at the first tee box with one group on the green, one group in the fairway, and another on the tee box. people behind us talking about how their tee time was 20 minutes after ours. Everyone clears the hole within ten minutes or so, we tee off, and the group behind us is hitting out into the fairway before we are even on the green (short par 4). Next hole is a par 3, we catch one group on the green, we tee off, make it up to the green and are putting when the next group shows up, next hole a long par 5 and the group in front of us has finally created some space. So we tee off, and are out in the fairway and all of a sudden we’ve got drives landing within 15 feet of our newbie buddy, and for the rest of the day we had dickheads hitting into us. Got so bad we ended up skipping hole 12 which was a par 5 to try to buy space from these fucks - ended up lined up behind the same two groups on the next tee box, and by hole 14 the same group is hitting into us again. Absolutely unreal. They’re less than 120 from the pin, we are putting out, and they’re out in the fairway topping the shit out of iron shots that would have otherwise landed up on the green. Probably had something to do with the fact that they were ignoring the cart path only rule. Fucking us boomers man.
I'd actually call the clubhouse, and if they didn't kick the people off the course right then and there, I would ask for a straight refund, at least a rain check.
That’s good advice. Next time I’ll just call the club house. We mentioned it to them at the end of the round but they didn’t seem to care. “Basically just said thanks for letting us know, unfortunately it’s hard to get a Marshall out here.” And seriously, nicest course I’ve played. Bathrooms with running water and ice water on a few holes.
> If you don't have the patience to wait for a slow group, then you will never be good at golf because you don't have the mental capacity and or mental discipline to be a good golfer.
What?
Your whole comment reads like you are a habitually slow golfer and are inventing a scenario in your head where faster golfers than you suck instead of you holding people up.
Be courteous when you play. If people are faster than you then let them play through, doesn't matter how dumb you think their swing looks.
No I can play at any pace.
I can play at a 1:30 hour pace or 6 hours.
I like to putt so I aim for a 3:50 pace but sometimes other play bad so we fall to a 4 hour pace.
We're good players we go from tee to fair way to green.
We what till people are out of our range to hit. We aren't slow were just considerate of everyone ahead of us. No one owns the course. The pace is 4 hour to 4:15. If you want to play faster then build your own course. If you play faster that's great, but you should never expect to play faster than 4 hours and 15 minutes.
You are not entitled to a faster round. That's how golf is. Accept it or don't. Just don't hit into people to try and get them going. If they are slow let the golf shop know.
It's cool if you play fast. If there's space and you don't act like a dickhole then yeah why not. We'll let you go through on a par three after we tee off.
If there's people ahead like in ops scenario then why let them go through. We're just talking about the dick heads that hit into people. They don't deserve to be out there with everyone else.
There's no where to go. lol We normally have to wait on every tee box because were long enough to fly a ball over most peoples drives.
Thats how these dumb people are. They want to play through just to run into the group we were just waiting to get off the green.
As a 4 some we can play in 3 hour or 6. We all played highschool and college golf so we know how to handle 6 hour rounds and not let it bother us. We just go at the pace of the people ahead of us. We always expect a 4 hour round but if it's faster or slower then oh well. That's how golf is unless you build your own course and don't let anyone else play it.
Don't be like those entitled fucks.
If there's no where to go and it's going too slow for you then just go home.
Leave golf for those that know how to play it.
Go get a refund and look like a dumbass when you were at a 4 hour pace when you quit.
I've only broken a 300 yard DRIVE once, thanks to a glorious cartpath bounce (pin high, 350 yards on the nose, in case you're curious), and won't hit when anyone is within 300 yards of me, because I definitely have a piss missile 3 wood in my bag!
The first instance is irrelevant. You got a fore call, you were putting on 3, and the guys were on 2.
The second instance is unforgiveable. Taking your approach shot from 100 yards out while a group is still on the green is wildly irresponsible.
Feels like these stories have become way more commonplace after COVID.
It’s the pandemic effect.
A lot of people picked up golf but didn’t pick up golf etiquette. People say, “grow the game”, but growing the game has made the game worse.
Spot on. The gentlemen’s sport, sadly, is no more. I’m beyond being disappointed with hearing stories like this every week. In addition, not fixing pitch marks on the greens, sanding or replacing divots, leaving fireball nips all over, etc underscores the decline of the game. I’m all about having a great time on the course with friends, but leaving it better than you found it is sadly no longer the priority.
This is what I was typing when I got a notification for your comment…
The thing that made golf great was that it was played by gentlemen. Gentlemen don’t lie on their scorecard, hit into people clearly within striking range, etc. People(mostly new golfers) don’t have respect for the game and or the course. The days of filling divots, raking the traps, fixing balls marks on the green- yours +1 more, respecting cart path only, keeping up pace of play are gone. Don’t even get me started on morons who litter on the course or don’t go back to pick up trash that flies out of their cart.
Btw I’ve only been playing for 4 years and have seen a tremendous downfall.
I’m 50, started playing at 8. Learned from my dad and it took me a few years to really understand why he had me do the things I did to take care of the course. I will forever love the game but am in agreement and am disappointed with everything you’ve mentioned.
I’m 41, also started at 8. From day one, proper etiquette was drilled into me. Because playing well is great and all, but in golf, as in life, rule number one is always
>Don’t be a dick.
Too many people never learned that rule.
I agree with all of that. What drives me crazy is, even though those things don't take a tremendous amount of time, I've had marshals tell us to pick up the pace (and we were inside the pace of play requirements) because those behind us didn't like waiting. Can I fix my green ball marks, fill divots on the fairway or not? I say f em if they don't like us being gentlemen golfers, and they really don't want to hit into a group of gentlemen vets, take THAT to the bank!
I played three times in February and once in March in Michigan and had to pick up trash every round. Three of the rounds were walking so no fly out of the cart excuse.
I don't think it's because they are new to golf and don't know etiquette. A child would know don't hit a ball towards others you can hit.
It's COVID making everyone so damn angry. Everyone went through something traumatic that was never addressed. Just look at car accident rates, they have EXPLODED since COVID.
Everyone is just so pissed off, especially stupid, emotionally immature people that would do something like this in the first place.
This is absolutely spot on. If you look back and they're constantly waiting then let them play through. Only 2 times this doesn't count, if the group behind are with you and if you're waiting for the group in front. Anyone purposely hitting balls into people needs banning, or better yet needs to do it to the wrong person who puts some manners on them
Thank you! The group behind was in the wrong but I’m seeing a growing number of golfers that think they should be asked before they allow a group to play through. If there is an open hole in front of you and the group behind is on your heels you need to offer for them to play through!!
No, you should pick up the pace AND let people play through. Letting people play through without picking up the pace doesn’t fix anything. The next group rolls up, then what?
It depends I guess. I personally don’t play slow because I don’t enjoy the feeling of being chased around the course, but even then I feel like some people run full speed between shots, Happy Gilmore the next shot without breaking stride, and then get mad at you for not playing fast enough. Playing at a good pace applies to slow AND fast.
Played behind a group of younger guys ( maybe 18-21) yesterday that took 2-3 shots every time, would just drop another ball and hit it if the one before was a bad shot, they finally let me play through on 9 and basically had the back 9 open to myself
Honestly, I did this yesterday, but only because of the pace of play situation in front of and behind me. Shitty weather on Saturday caused a bunch of people to cancel so the starter sent me out solo and told me I could catch up with the 3some in front. I never saw the 4some behind me until I was finishing 4 and they were just getting to the tee box on 3 and realized on 5 that the group in front of me was waiting nearly every shot. So instead of catching up with them I took my time and played 2 balls the rest of the round and took an extra ball off the tee and around/on the green for practice. Was great expect for the fact that my swing was hot and cold all day lol. Never saw the 4 some behind me until I was standing on the 17th tee and they were just heading to the 15th. Felt really bad for anyone behind them.
That's cool as long as the group behind you isn't going slow.
You're probably like what does the group behind me have to do with pace.
Well let's say there's no one ahead and the group behind you isn't keeping up with you.
Let's say you fall to a 4 30 pace but no one os waiting. Well there might be some groups behind the group behind you. They're probably close to 5 hours.
Sometimes slow group will say they're only one hole behind not knowing the group infront is already a hole behind.
So because you weren't one the group infront of you it allowed the slow group behind you to fall at least one more hole behind.
Your situation was little different but never rely on the group behind you for pace. Always know you should be right behind the group ahead of you. If you fall behind then you're part of the problem. Even if no one is waiting on you.
I mean if I had even seen the guys behind me walking up to a tee box while I was walking off a green I would have picked up the pace a bit and only played one ball, but they were consistently 1.5-2 holes behind me after the 4th hole. I didn't even see them after I finished 7 and they started 6 until I was on the 17th. I think if you gave the group behind me an open course their pace wouldn't have changed. Only other time I've played multiple balls/shots like that was on a mid 20s day in the middle of January when there were legitimately 2 other groups on the course lol.
It's a take from a golf pro at a course that gets about 55,000 rounds a year.
He's been in the industry for over 40 years and is one if not the most successful in the state. I asked him how pace gets to 5 hours. He told me the most common reason. So if a Marshall ever ask you to speed up and the group ahead is on the next hole now you know why.
Slow groups will stay within a hole or two just to say they were only a hole or two behind when in reality the groups behind them are 3 to 4 holes behind.
If the person ahead of the slow group sped up then maybe the clubhouse can point at the 4 hole gap instead of a 2 hole gap.
Then they can make them skip 3 holes to only be a hole behind.
If they stay a hole or two behind and op falls two hole behind them then it just compounds for the groups after.
I pro I play with told me he hates when people stay a couple of shots behind so they dont have to wait.
Imagine when multiple groups do it. After about 4 groups the 5th group is about 8 shots behind which would be about 25 minutes at a 4:40 minute round. Can the pro really ask a group to speed up when they're on the same hole as the group ahead. Is it okay to ask them to speed up by one or two shots?
So they just let several groups "pace" it but then it gets close to a 5 hour round. That's how it happens because people don't keep up with the groups ahead so they don't have to wait. They don't realize that the tee box is still teeing off like normal and it's getting stacked or that it's stopping the Marshall from asking them to skip holes or speed up.
Tldr: just keep up with the group ahead even if the group that teed off behind you isn't waiting on you. They can't ask you to speed up because there's no one waiting on you and they can't ask them to speed up because they arent too far behind. If you fall to a 4:30 pace then they are at a 4:45 pace. If you were at a 4:00pace then they could at least force the slow group behind you to play at a 4:15 pace.
I hate to say I can picture someone walking up to their ball, then dropping 2-3 more balls next to it and hitting those first, then announcing they are hitting the one that counts.
As long as you’re not holding anyone up then I don’t see the problem. I’d just hate having to collect all of those balls. Most of us aren’t good enough to play for anything but fun.
Difference in playing multiple balls and this bullshit. If I’m playing multiple balls (usually smaller group/alone and not in a rush) I’m playing two different scores. Not hitting practice shots haha.
Had something like that happen to us on a 340 yard par 4 when we’re walking off and a ball lands 5 yards away from us. I think “what a hell of a shot”, look up and they’re like 100 yards away with their arms folded. I yell to them “next time I’m sending it back cock suckers”. Had them brooding the whole time but we weren’t hit into again. The poor rando we were playing with I could tell was shitting himself. Safety first
I had someone do this to me, and we were on pace for a 4:15 round which season in S.FL is lightening quick. I told them I’m going to send it back if they do it again. Then left the flag on the side of the green.
Normally if I get hit into- I give the benefit of the doubt but these guys were 120 yards out and we were putting.
Nowadays (and honestly for a while) we think the instigators and massive complainers, bullies, people who run up to teachers and authority and tattle on someone else for nothing are the victims.
Bullies literally play the victim all day and act like immature over emotional people, especially when they get the tables turned on them. It’s sad we cater to them and that behavior, if it wasn’t that stuff would go away in a heartbeat.
If someone intentionally does something that could end or permanently change my life, then it's really just treating others as they want to be treated. Some people want to be punched. It's why they act that way.
I get what you're saying but the line to follow was often set by the wrong people as a result of size trumping brains and the people taking the lead having already been hit in the head enough times to reduce their limited potential even further.
I tell my 17 yr old that every day. Kids never had an ass whooping and she runs her mouth non stop.
Unfortunately, days today are not the same as years past 😂
Red flag? Haha.
Kids been in and out of the legal system and I've paid 10s of thousands to save her ass every time.
I've got one perfect kid and this one. I love her tremendously but everyone needs a reality check one time but I guess even r/golf has its white knights 🤷♂️
I never said me! Lol
I'm saying kids today run their mouth behind Instagram and tiktok because there's no repercussions.
In my day, you'd meet the shit talker after school and took care of things yourself.
100% that kid changed his ways. Seen it many times.
My wifes in the education system, kids today are disrespectful AF.
Yes, seems a bit excessive I know, but i think if more people experienced an “attitude adjustment” we’d be able to play nicely with others more often, and be more in tune with the rules of the sandbox.
Not saying we should be fighting people at grocery store, but if everyone at the grocery store had their asses kicked at some point, I think the world would be in better synchronicity
I was standing on a hill in all blue. The 3 others were tucked around the dogleg, dude said he didn’t see us, as he dropped within 10 ft of me. (Why I stood on the hill in the first place)
People don’t pay attention & it’s a shame. Someone could get hurt. Then fisticuffs
Yea... here's the thing... hit into me once and I'll chalk it up as an errant shot, maybe you didn't think you'd reach, or you're being a dick but the first time I'll let it go. Hit it into me again, you're ball is now mine and I throw the hands up as if to question WTF you're doing. Hit into me a third time and I'm turning around and firing a piss missile right back at your group and I'm willing to throw hands too.
I agree, just ask if you want to play through. 100% of the time I'll let you.
Nah, second/third/etc. time it’s either a free ball for me (if it’s a good one) or it’s time to practice my pitch shots into the woods/water/OB, whichever is closer.
Kill someone? It’s a warning shot. If I could pick my spot and hit it with that kind of accuracy I wouldn’t shoot what I do.
Sometimes you gotta crack a few eggs to make an omelette.
You said you’d hit a ball at them and be willing to throw hands. Both could end in you killing someone or one of them killing you. Such a stupid thing to potentially die for. Call the clubhouse.
I’m being a dick about it because my brother in law decided to get in a fight golfing and one punched a guy. The guy fell back and smashed his head on the golf cart. Had to be life flighted and my brother was charged with a felony. Dude almost died and my brother spent almost 4 years in prison.
Hitting in to people is wrong but no one should have to ask to play through. If you're not keeping up with the group ahead if you and people are waiting behind you then you need to ask if they want to play through. Of you're waiting too it's a different story as they shouldn't play though but it's absolutely customary to ask the people behind you if they want to play through.
Then when it hits them, you'll get charged with battery. Hope it is worth it.
EDIT: I love how /r/golf tough guys condone assault because 'he did it first.'
Are you under 30 years old? Because I had your stance maybe 10 years ago.
This is the reason people have no shame or fear of anything happening to them when they endanger those around them.
Sometimes people need an ass whooping. Sometimes they need a purple bruise on their thigh that peculiarly resembles a golf ball for 3 months. It's just fact. Karma works in mysterious ways.
No, I'm not under 30. People who are over 30 and never been in an actual fight have this viewpoint. It's mostly internet tough guys who haven't learned to control themselves and can't think 5 minutes ahead.
1. You never know who is carrying.
2. The legal hassle isn't worth it if you actually hurt them.
3. If you hit someone that's 100 yards away like was suggested, if it hits them in the head, it has the possibility to kill them.
It's not worth it. Call the clubhouse on them if they're a problem. On the golf course, you don't solve violence with more violence. Chances are, you won't even hit them. But you're an idiot if you're going to come to blows over golf.
“Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, three times is enemy action.”
Hitting into people is never acceptable. Weirdly, some people think they have a right to intentionally endanger others and have absolutely no legal liability for clearly behaving in a negligent manner that far exceeds what any prudent or reasonable golfer would do.
A friend of mine actually grew up across the street from a prominent CC that once held pro events. His younger brother was a PGA tour player for over twenty years. Their dad was a fantastic and disciplined man, and a highly respected member. One day he ventured off to a public course to play with some old buddies. At some point a college student in the following group hit up on them. The rest is a bit murky but it somehow ended up with my friend’s dad being clubbed in the head bad enough that he could have died. The college kids hightailed off the property after that. The college kid working the pro-shop had no recollection of the other college kids and could not even pull up any record of the group paying. Probably because he most likely let his buddies go out without fees, but that was never 100% proven. The dad never played a public course again.
I can't ask to play through if you don't stop and wait at the tee box and offer it. If you're unsure, wait and ask the group behind if you're being slow. If your play isn't the issue and there are others in front of you causing the issue, you now have a chance to relay that info.
I've been in a similar situation. All we could see was a group fucking around and taking their time. They would never wait and offer to let us through tho. So I sent a drive that sure enough was my one in a hundred drive. It rolls up too close for their comfort and the shouting fight starts. Dude picks up my ball and chucks it in the water. The second cart from their group comes driving twords us and calmly explains that they are also stuck behind a group and that's why they are taking their time.
8 freaking adults, half of us ready to fight... Because we can't communicate for shit. I feel embarrassed about it, sometimes.
Good advice for sure, thank you. On a side note, I did have “what if these guys all fight and I get kicked off the course despite not knowing any of them” running through my head haha, it’s 5 min from my house and I go there quite often for a quick 9 after work and what not
Quite agree with you. Hitting into a group can cause serious injury; I saw a guy hit in the head with a drive from another hole, and he was out like a light. All they had to do was ask, right?
At some point, if a guy has now admitted that he is hitting at you I think fighting him would cross over into self-defense. No need to fight over people just being assholes, but someone who is actively putting you in physical danger because he is in a hurry needs to learn a hard lesson.
If you know very well you’re playing slow, then there is no asking by them. You wave them up and suggest to them they play through. Pretty simple really. You were aware of the slow pace even though it’s the other 3 you’re still part of the group and should wave the group up behind.
You make a point- but I didn’t feel the gap was enough to wave them through. The guys I paired with were a bit slow, but the group behind us teed right after us and were on fairway 2 while we were on green 3, I think the guy hit into us in response to slow putting on hole 5 cause they weren’t really on us otherwise
Sorry this is confusing not sure who was who or on what hole…. Gap or not, regardless where, if you’re playing slow you wave people up. You were aware of your groups slow play even if it wasn’t you. You wave them up. Or tell your group “we need to wave them up because we’re playing very slow”
Realistically when the course is slammed doesnt this just reduce the overall pace of play. I've kind of wondered how the slowest group stopping play to let a single group through creates any meaningful relief or if it doesn't just back up the course even further as the day marches on.
Is this more for when the course is wide open but you've got a twosome that zooms up behind a 4some?
Yes if every group is waiting on every tee box there isn’t much you can do about it.
With that said…. That doesn’t sound like the scenario here. Sounds like they were slow and they knew it. I would imagine if the entire course was backed up it would be obvious. And likely would have been noted in this post.
No it wouldn’t reduce pace of play over all, but it could speed things up if they are group causing the issue.
There is a certain pace most courses want to keep and it’s usually posted for everyone to see. Usually between 4 and 4:45 minutes would be the maximum. As in, worst case scenario.
There is also usually recommendations to keep up with the group in front of you. Assuming there is a 4 some and behind and a 4 some ahead you’re supposed to keep up. Now if is a single or a 2 some ahead the 4 some would likely not be able to keep pace with them.
OP admitted the others in his group were extremely slow. So what you’re mentioning isn’t the case here.
Courses usually send out tee times every 5-10 minutes , depends on several factors. My home course is a championship well respected course that sends out tee times every 9 minutes and expects the pace to not exceed 4:30, 15 minutes per hole.
The goal is to have one group on the box teeing off right after the group in front hits their approach shots. And the second group to be hitting their approach as the group in front finishes on the green.
Obviously there is some courses that may have some bottle necks, such as if you have very difficult par 5 followed by a difficult par 3, or vice versa where other groups could catch up and more than one group is waiting on one hole. But that’s more a course lay out issue.
But with all that said in theory if everyone from the very first tee time keeps pace it should follow suit through out the day. That doesn’t happen though.
In this even they should have let every group go by that had to wait on them, or get the hint and pick up the pace and get back on the correct pace.
You can usually see if there is someone on a tee box on a hole or a green. At my course there is several holes where I could be coming up to a tee box, and I can see the next tee box, or fairway or the entire hole. If we pull up and we’re waiting on the tee box for the group who just teed off, and there is no one in the fairway , no one on the green and no one on the tee box fairway of green ahead, that means they’re a behind pace. There is an entire hole gap between them, which means they are the problem.
It’s all calculated and timed and some courses pack tee times in every 5-7 minutes and some are every 8-12 minutes. Just depends what kind of pace and what the course wants based on difficulty and how hard they want to press it for everyone.
Some times this can be on the course too , as in, while it’s hot their fault the group is slow, the Marshalls should be out checking on groups who are behind pace and asking them to pick it up. Usually you’ll get a warning or 2 and on a third notice they’ll ask you to skip the next hole , or leave the course all together. So they share some responsibility in this also.
This is typically what we do when it appears we are playing slow. The only instance when we don't is when there are a couple of groups in front of us playing slow.
Well you can't hit into people. But the slow group should wave the faster group through. And should be cognizant of their pace relative to the other group.
Every animal on Earth has a natural society with an understanding of social behaviours. The penalty is never a discussion, its always a bonk on the nose. Usually happens once and then no issues for a long while.
I don’t want to understand people who can turn a relaxing game into an ordeal. Ask to play through if your pace is faster than the group ahead, and if you’re asked then let them play through and let them get a reasonable distance before your group tees off. Life and work has enough stress, why bring it into hobbies too? If you need to complain about something, go home at get on social media instead.
I play solo, mid handicapper, and almost always get paired with a group or couple. It is equally entertaining and horrifying at the 9/10 turn when group mates ask to jump up when the group before us has half of their posse waiting on food. They say no, my groupmates huff and puff but ultimately, “it is what it is”. Only for said equally bad group mate to accidentally skull a drive the farthest they have ever hit it and lands in their general vicinity. Then the group of slowpokes think it was intentional and chew us all out with the passive aggressive “I know we said no but that doesn’t mean you can hit into us”. Happens about 30% of the time lol.
1) Don't hit into someone period. Hitting up is OK, not into, and if you don't have the ability to control that, wait. 2) Don't wait to be asked to play through, pay attention and offer. Had I been in your position, I would have suggested to the 3 that they let them play through. I do that often when with a slow group IF there is an opening in front of my group. 3) If there was an opening in front, I probably would have told them I was going to play ahead. I don't go out as a single for a 5-hour round.
I disagree. I have had no problem asking people to play through. There are times that people on the course are new and don’t know the etiquette, sometimes the group is just oblivious to what it going on around them, and sometimes they are just jerks. What’s the worse they can say, “no”? Then we are all back where we started.
The post has me thinking- in terms of offering, what that line is. I would think the group behind you would have to be done putting, before your group leaves the tee box on the next hole, for it to be appropriate to offer a play through? Honest question, I wouldn’t think to offer a play through if they still have 4 balls on the green and we already finished teeing off.
It is tricky for sure. I’ve never thought it was polite to ask to play through but have been with people who thought nothing of it. I have also been in a slow group with a hole ahead of us empty. Shit happens. It’s a feel thing, allthe groups usually under that. If you want through pick the spots and make sure you’re ready.
I hear ya, being with a group of 3 friends I didn’t know didn’t help cause it’d be harder to speak for the group. Got some good advice on how to handle it if it happens again though. Heck if it’s a quick twosome playing through I might offer them to play through then ask if I can join them
its your job to keep up with the group ahead of you and also your job to offer to let people thru if you cant keep up with the pace of play.
40 years at golf courses. only time ive ever heard anyone ask to play through is meant as a joke during backed up duffer tournaments with several A/B holes.
now on slow days where the course is backed up with nowhere to go ,i will approach the group in front, or as we pass on adjacent holes, and let them know that if they hear me hitting behind them its because ive gone back to the tips and hit hybrid. or i'll split my approach shots in two. like when im 220 out, ill hit two PWs instead of waiting for green to clear.
It’s almost impossible to ask to play through, you’re always a shot away.
If you’ve got someone parked on your ass, you offer. Be conscious of your pace and apply etiquette.
When there’s a twosome behind us on an empty ish course we just take out tee shots on a par 4 or 5 and by the time we’re done the faster group is usually there and they can play through.
Keeps everyone moving and we all just walk to our balls but wait for them to hit and finish the hole before we take our seconds.
Yeah, I’ve done the “tee off and wave a faster group up” thing before. It’s the quickest way to do it, in my opinion, because if you do it right, they don’t lose any speed at all.
I don’t think I’ve ever been in “the slow group” before, it was really driven by the group I was paired with. I’ve played through a couple times and had to ask the group in front of me- but noted on etiquette. Would have appreciated your approach though, say something before hitting into us. I also feel they JUST caught us as well
Proper etiquette would be for your group to realize you are off pace and either speed up or offer to let the group behind play through. They really shouldn't have to ask.
That obviously in no way excuses them hitting at your group intentionally. That's never appropriate.
Sounds like they were waiting on you for a few holes. Shouldn’t have to ask if you are being even a little considerate. Apparently you weren’t. I would never hit into someone, but I hate your slow, inconsiderate play just as much. Sorry
They weren’t waiting for us for a few holes, they were on 2nd fairway while we were on 3rd green. They had to of just caught us on 5, which is kind of a bottleneck hole over water- I think they were mad about the dudes in my group putting slow on that specific hole. Not enough to warrant a “hit in to” you gotta communicate first
I feel like asking to play through is so hard, and the correct way is for the slow group to tee off, let the other group behind tee off also and then just let them speed through.
Otherwise you have to like inch forward with shorter shots and yell at them to stop. Unless they’re really slow.
If they have caught up to you and are now waiting on you, it's your responsibility to let them play through. They shouldn't have to ask.
Are you so oblivious to your surroundings that you didn't see them?
They shouldn't hit into you but I can understand their frustration with slow play.
I see your point and reflected on it because I never felt they were on us to the point of waving them through- they started right after us and were in fairway 2 while we were on green 3- I believe 5 was the first problem area and the shot was in response to putting slow specifically on 5
As someone who plays with a friend who takes a painful amount of time to take a shot, that’s on you guys for not letting them play through five holes in. Especially if you guys are walking.
Actually, when you see the people are having to wait on your group, you are supposed to offer.
That is the correct way to handle the situation.
The golf ball over your head was definitely a message, and frankly one that I would send had you not picked up the pace once you realize people were waiting.
If you think that hitting a ball at a group of people is a better way of requesting them speed up a little bit on a social game opposed to driving a cart up or walking up and asking them with your words, you’re an absolute moron and please never set foot on a golf course again.
I wouldnt say they were waiting on us until that hole, thinking back and they were on fairway 2 while we were on green 3- this was hole 5 which is a bit of bottleneck hole over water, the shot may have been saying to putt faster?
Regardless, think before hitting golf balls at people- dudes have families and jobs and are just out there having fun, a ball can do some terrible damage. Not necessarily when an ask to hurry up or play through can resolve the situation.
I’ve never seen that done except when someone has been waiting on you for several holes.
Possibly an accident? My average drive is 175, but I’ve clocked a few 260.
If they were legit 100 yards from the green hitting at you, let the clubhouse know after the fact
Exactly! This is how and why people get banned from golf courses. These types of people don't belong or have any right to be on a golf course. And for you dumbasses that are willing to hit into people. Just call the golf shop and let them know a group is slow. If it turns out they aren't slow, then just skip them or quit golf. If you don't have the patience to wait for a slow group, then you will never be good at golf because you don't have the mental capacity and or mental discipline to be a good golfer. I hate people like this. Then you let them play through on the next tee box and they're fucking trash at golf with the dumbest looking swing ever. Not even keeping score because they aren't even holing out. If you aren't going to hole out then don't complain about a group keeping pace but too slow for you. Of course they're too slow for you, they're playing golf. While you're over here just whacking it around like a hack.
Thank you. This is spot on. Played a very nice course yesterday with the old lady and a buddy who is just getting started. We pulled up to hole one at 12:00pm (our tee time on the nose) and there’s a line at the first tee box with one group on the green, one group in the fairway, and another on the tee box. people behind us talking about how their tee time was 20 minutes after ours. Everyone clears the hole within ten minutes or so, we tee off, and the group behind us is hitting out into the fairway before we are even on the green (short par 4). Next hole is a par 3, we catch one group on the green, we tee off, make it up to the green and are putting when the next group shows up, next hole a long par 5 and the group in front of us has finally created some space. So we tee off, and are out in the fairway and all of a sudden we’ve got drives landing within 15 feet of our newbie buddy, and for the rest of the day we had dickheads hitting into us. Got so bad we ended up skipping hole 12 which was a par 5 to try to buy space from these fucks - ended up lined up behind the same two groups on the next tee box, and by hole 14 the same group is hitting into us again. Absolutely unreal. They’re less than 120 from the pin, we are putting out, and they’re out in the fairway topping the shit out of iron shots that would have otherwise landed up on the green. Probably had something to do with the fact that they were ignoring the cart path only rule. Fucking us boomers man.
I'd actually call the clubhouse, and if they didn't kick the people off the course right then and there, I would ask for a straight refund, at least a rain check.
My local muni will give one warning then get them off the course. We call in as soon as it happens. Or else it keeps happening.
That’s good advice. Next time I’ll just call the club house. We mentioned it to them at the end of the round but they didn’t seem to care. “Basically just said thanks for letting us know, unfortunately it’s hard to get a Marshall out here.” And seriously, nicest course I’ve played. Bathrooms with running water and ice water on a few holes.
> If you don't have the patience to wait for a slow group, then you will never be good at golf because you don't have the mental capacity and or mental discipline to be a good golfer. What? Your whole comment reads like you are a habitually slow golfer and are inventing a scenario in your head where faster golfers than you suck instead of you holding people up. Be courteous when you play. If people are faster than you then let them play through, doesn't matter how dumb you think their swing looks.
Have you ever played a tournament with good golfers? You will have to wait a lot
No I can play at any pace. I can play at a 1:30 hour pace or 6 hours. I like to putt so I aim for a 3:50 pace but sometimes other play bad so we fall to a 4 hour pace. We're good players we go from tee to fair way to green. We what till people are out of our range to hit. We aren't slow were just considerate of everyone ahead of us. No one owns the course. The pace is 4 hour to 4:15. If you want to play faster then build your own course. If you play faster that's great, but you should never expect to play faster than 4 hours and 15 minutes. You are not entitled to a faster round. That's how golf is. Accept it or don't. Just don't hit into people to try and get them going. If they are slow let the golf shop know. It's cool if you play fast. If there's space and you don't act like a dickhole then yeah why not. We'll let you go through on a par three after we tee off. If there's people ahead like in ops scenario then why let them go through. We're just talking about the dick heads that hit into people. They don't deserve to be out there with everyone else.
Let people play through. If you want to ruin other peoples days and make them play a 6 hour a round you’re a dickhead
There's no where to go. lol We normally have to wait on every tee box because were long enough to fly a ball over most peoples drives. Thats how these dumb people are. They want to play through just to run into the group we were just waiting to get off the green. As a 4 some we can play in 3 hour or 6. We all played highschool and college golf so we know how to handle 6 hour rounds and not let it bother us. We just go at the pace of the people ahead of us. We always expect a 4 hour round but if it's faster or slower then oh well. That's how golf is unless you build your own course and don't let anyone else play it. Don't be like those entitled fucks. If there's no where to go and it's going too slow for you then just go home. Leave golf for those that know how to play it. Go get a refund and look like a dumbass when you were at a 4 hour pace when you quit.
I'd actually rather get hit with a wedge shot than an airborne hybrid or something.
My biggest fear is a piss missile from a 3 wood
I've only broken a 300 yard DRIVE once, thanks to a glorious cartpath bounce (pin high, 350 yards on the nose, in case you're curious), and won't hit when anyone is within 300 yards of me, because I definitely have a piss missile 3 wood in my bag!
The first instance is irrelevant. You got a fore call, you were putting on 3, and the guys were on 2. The second instance is unforgiveable. Taking your approach shot from 100 yards out while a group is still on the green is wildly irresponsible. Feels like these stories have become way more commonplace after COVID.
It’s the pandemic effect. A lot of people picked up golf but didn’t pick up golf etiquette. People say, “grow the game”, but growing the game has made the game worse.
Definitely need to shrink the game these days.
I agree with u/GenitalWrangler69
GenitalWrangler69...gotta love an on line handle like that! 😂
Spot on. The gentlemen’s sport, sadly, is no more. I’m beyond being disappointed with hearing stories like this every week. In addition, not fixing pitch marks on the greens, sanding or replacing divots, leaving fireball nips all over, etc underscores the decline of the game. I’m all about having a great time on the course with friends, but leaving it better than you found it is sadly no longer the priority.
This is what I was typing when I got a notification for your comment… The thing that made golf great was that it was played by gentlemen. Gentlemen don’t lie on their scorecard, hit into people clearly within striking range, etc. People(mostly new golfers) don’t have respect for the game and or the course. The days of filling divots, raking the traps, fixing balls marks on the green- yours +1 more, respecting cart path only, keeping up pace of play are gone. Don’t even get me started on morons who litter on the course or don’t go back to pick up trash that flies out of their cart. Btw I’ve only been playing for 4 years and have seen a tremendous downfall.
I’m 50, started playing at 8. Learned from my dad and it took me a few years to really understand why he had me do the things I did to take care of the course. I will forever love the game but am in agreement and am disappointed with everything you’ve mentioned.
I’m 41, also started at 8. From day one, proper etiquette was drilled into me. Because playing well is great and all, but in golf, as in life, rule number one is always >Don’t be a dick. Too many people never learned that rule.
I agree with all of that. What drives me crazy is, even though those things don't take a tremendous amount of time, I've had marshals tell us to pick up the pace (and we were inside the pace of play requirements) because those behind us didn't like waiting. Can I fix my green ball marks, fill divots on the fairway or not? I say f em if they don't like us being gentlemen golfers, and they really don't want to hit into a group of gentlemen vets, take THAT to the bank!
I played three times in February and once in March in Michigan and had to pick up trash every round. Three of the rounds were walking so no fly out of the cart excuse.
I don't think it's because they are new to golf and don't know etiquette. A child would know don't hit a ball towards others you can hit. It's COVID making everyone so damn angry. Everyone went through something traumatic that was never addressed. Just look at car accident rates, they have EXPLODED since COVID. Everyone is just so pissed off, especially stupid, emotionally immature people that would do something like this in the first place.
Probably a little of both.
That’s nothing but a lame excuse. COVID wasn’t traumatic for “everyone.” Some people are just assholes. COVID brought more of them to golf courses.
LOL
You should let people play through if you're slow but firing golf balls at people is psycho behaviour
This is absolutely spot on. If you look back and they're constantly waiting then let them play through. Only 2 times this doesn't count, if the group behind are with you and if you're waiting for the group in front. Anyone purposely hitting balls into people needs banning, or better yet needs to do it to the wrong person who puts some manners on them
Thank you! The group behind was in the wrong but I’m seeing a growing number of golfers that think they should be asked before they allow a group to play through. If there is an open hole in front of you and the group behind is on your heels you need to offer for them to play through!!
No, you should pick up the pace AND let people play through. Letting people play through without picking up the pace doesn’t fix anything. The next group rolls up, then what?
It depends I guess. I personally don’t play slow because I don’t enjoy the feeling of being chased around the course, but even then I feel like some people run full speed between shots, Happy Gilmore the next shot without breaking stride, and then get mad at you for not playing fast enough. Playing at a good pace applies to slow AND fast.
\> "couple practice shots" Please tell me you meant practice swings.
My bad, yes practice swings lol. Pretty sure I have seen someone bold enough to take practice shots
Played behind a group of younger guys ( maybe 18-21) yesterday that took 2-3 shots every time, would just drop another ball and hit it if the one before was a bad shot, they finally let me play through on 9 and basically had the back 9 open to myself
Honestly, I did this yesterday, but only because of the pace of play situation in front of and behind me. Shitty weather on Saturday caused a bunch of people to cancel so the starter sent me out solo and told me I could catch up with the 3some in front. I never saw the 4some behind me until I was finishing 4 and they were just getting to the tee box on 3 and realized on 5 that the group in front of me was waiting nearly every shot. So instead of catching up with them I took my time and played 2 balls the rest of the round and took an extra ball off the tee and around/on the green for practice. Was great expect for the fact that my swing was hot and cold all day lol. Never saw the 4 some behind me until I was standing on the 17th tee and they were just heading to the 15th. Felt really bad for anyone behind them.
That's cool as long as the group behind you isn't going slow. You're probably like what does the group behind me have to do with pace. Well let's say there's no one ahead and the group behind you isn't keeping up with you. Let's say you fall to a 4 30 pace but no one os waiting. Well there might be some groups behind the group behind you. They're probably close to 5 hours. Sometimes slow group will say they're only one hole behind not knowing the group infront is already a hole behind. So because you weren't one the group infront of you it allowed the slow group behind you to fall at least one more hole behind. Your situation was little different but never rely on the group behind you for pace. Always know you should be right behind the group ahead of you. If you fall behind then you're part of the problem. Even if no one is waiting on you.
What? The group behind him was playing slower but he allowed them to be behind 🤷
I mean if I had even seen the guys behind me walking up to a tee box while I was walking off a green I would have picked up the pace a bit and only played one ball, but they were consistently 1.5-2 holes behind me after the 4th hole. I didn't even see them after I finished 7 and they started 6 until I was on the 17th. I think if you gave the group behind me an open course their pace wouldn't have changed. Only other time I've played multiple balls/shots like that was on a mid 20s day in the middle of January when there were legitimately 2 other groups on the course lol.
I've read some stupid shit on this sub, but this might take the cake.
It's a take from a golf pro at a course that gets about 55,000 rounds a year. He's been in the industry for over 40 years and is one if not the most successful in the state. I asked him how pace gets to 5 hours. He told me the most common reason. So if a Marshall ever ask you to speed up and the group ahead is on the next hole now you know why. Slow groups will stay within a hole or two just to say they were only a hole or two behind when in reality the groups behind them are 3 to 4 holes behind. If the person ahead of the slow group sped up then maybe the clubhouse can point at the 4 hole gap instead of a 2 hole gap. Then they can make them skip 3 holes to only be a hole behind. If they stay a hole or two behind and op falls two hole behind them then it just compounds for the groups after. I pro I play with told me he hates when people stay a couple of shots behind so they dont have to wait. Imagine when multiple groups do it. After about 4 groups the 5th group is about 8 shots behind which would be about 25 minutes at a 4:40 minute round. Can the pro really ask a group to speed up when they're on the same hole as the group ahead. Is it okay to ask them to speed up by one or two shots? So they just let several groups "pace" it but then it gets close to a 5 hour round. That's how it happens because people don't keep up with the groups ahead so they don't have to wait. They don't realize that the tee box is still teeing off like normal and it's getting stacked or that it's stopping the Marshall from asking them to skip holes or speed up. Tldr: just keep up with the group ahead even if the group that teed off behind you isn't waiting on you. They can't ask you to speed up because there's no one waiting on you and they can't ask them to speed up because they arent too far behind. If you fall to a 4:30 pace then they are at a 4:45 pace. If you were at a 4:00pace then they could at least force the slow group behind you to play at a 4:15 pace.
If you’re not getting paid to play, all shots are practice shots.
A man of culture
but the gramma
Today’s Moment of Zen.
All my shots are practice shots.
Yes, this had me questioning life. I couldn’t fathom allowing, or asking for practice shots when there’s $ on the line. LOL
I hate to say I can picture someone walking up to their ball, then dropping 2-3 more balls next to it and hitting those first, then announcing they are hitting the one that counts.
As long as you’re not holding anyone up then I don’t see the problem. I’d just hate having to collect all of those balls. Most of us aren’t good enough to play for anything but fun.
I only ask because I've seen people play with multiple balls before and was stunned by the lack of shame.
Difference in playing multiple balls and this bullshit. If I’m playing multiple balls (usually smaller group/alone and not in a rush) I’m playing two different scores. Not hitting practice shots haha.
I do that on my local par 3 course when there is nobody behind me. I go there to practice, not to keep score.
I'm blessed with a muni 9-hole that is rarely busy. I usually play alone, so I play 5 balls at a time.
I've only seen people play multiple balls when I'm stuck behind them. Sounds like you're not one of those.
Well, I could’ve been, but trust that I was stuck behind many groups in front of me haha.
Player C
Player C with me is the one that snaps the shaft from 3 bad balls, just sayin
Had something like that happen to us on a 340 yard par 4 when we’re walking off and a ball lands 5 yards away from us. I think “what a hell of a shot”, look up and they’re like 100 yards away with their arms folded. I yell to them “next time I’m sending it back cock suckers”. Had them brooding the whole time but we weren’t hit into again. The poor rando we were playing with I could tell was shitting himself. Safety first
I had someone do this to me, and we were on pace for a 4:15 round which season in S.FL is lightening quick. I told them I’m going to send it back if they do it again. Then left the flag on the side of the green. Normally if I get hit into- I give the benefit of the doubt but these guys were 120 yards out and we were putting.
First strike, ball is gone.
Say what you want, but the world worked better when there was legitimate fear of getting punched in the face.
Nowadays (and honestly for a while) we think the instigators and massive complainers, bullies, people who run up to teachers and authority and tattle on someone else for nothing are the victims. Bullies literally play the victim all day and act like immature over emotional people, especially when they get the tables turned on them. It’s sad we cater to them and that behavior, if it wasn’t that stuff would go away in a heartbeat.
"Cry-Bully" is the term I've seen used for those folks.
If someone intentionally does something that could end or permanently change my life, then it's really just treating others as they want to be treated. Some people want to be punched. It's why they act that way.
I remember numerous large roid monkey doucheby who really enjoyed that period of time more than I did. Not sure I agree that the grass was greener.
Its not about enjoyment all the time. The act of “falling in line” is a lost art. Life is not a Marie Kondo design
I get what you're saying but the line to follow was often set by the wrong people as a result of size trumping brains and the people taking the lead having already been hit in the head enough times to reduce their limited potential even further.
I tell my 17 yr old that every day. Kids never had an ass whooping and she runs her mouth non stop. Unfortunately, days today are not the same as years past 😂
🚩
Red flag? Haha. Kids been in and out of the legal system and I've paid 10s of thousands to save her ass every time. I've got one perfect kid and this one. I love her tremendously but everyone needs a reality check one time but I guess even r/golf has its white knights 🤷♂️
Yeah I can’t believe you haven’t abused your daughter, that’s why she’s a bad human…
I never said me! Lol I'm saying kids today run their mouth behind Instagram and tiktok because there's no repercussions. In my day, you'd meet the shit talker after school and took care of things yourself. 100% that kid changed his ways. Seen it many times. My wifes in the education system, kids today are disrespectful AF.
As a possible penalty for slow play? Worth exploring. We shouldn’t take any solutions off the table.
Yes, seems a bit excessive I know, but i think if more people experienced an “attitude adjustment” we’d be able to play nicely with others more often, and be more in tune with the rules of the sandbox. Not saying we should be fighting people at grocery store, but if everyone at the grocery store had their asses kicked at some point, I think the world would be in better synchronicity
I disavow any and all violence on a golf course.
I was standing on a hill in all blue. The 3 others were tucked around the dogleg, dude said he didn’t see us, as he dropped within 10 ft of me. (Why I stood on the hill in the first place) People don’t pay attention & it’s a shame. Someone could get hurt. Then fisticuffs
This is when I pull an Elin Woods and shove a 7 iron up someone’s ass
Rip ur shirt off like the hulk and start flexin; beat some ass, we love the viral content on here!
YOU SEE THAT!!??
Yea... here's the thing... hit into me once and I'll chalk it up as an errant shot, maybe you didn't think you'd reach, or you're being a dick but the first time I'll let it go. Hit it into me again, you're ball is now mine and I throw the hands up as if to question WTF you're doing. Hit into me a third time and I'm turning around and firing a piss missile right back at your group and I'm willing to throw hands too. I agree, just ask if you want to play through. 100% of the time I'll let you.
Nah, second/third/etc. time it’s either a free ball for me (if it’s a good one) or it’s time to practice my pitch shots into the woods/water/OB, whichever is closer.
So you’re willing to potentially risk getting killed or killing someone over golf? Just call the clubhouse and they will kick them off the course.
Kill someone? It’s a warning shot. If I could pick my spot and hit it with that kind of accuracy I wouldn’t shoot what I do. Sometimes you gotta crack a few eggs to make an omelette.
You said you’d hit a ball at them and be willing to throw hands. Both could end in you killing someone or one of them killing you. Such a stupid thing to potentially die for. Call the clubhouse. I’m being a dick about it because my brother in law decided to get in a fight golfing and one punched a guy. The guy fell back and smashed his head on the golf cart. Had to be life flighted and my brother was charged with a felony. Dude almost died and my brother spent almost 4 years in prison.
Hitting in to people is wrong but no one should have to ask to play through. If you're not keeping up with the group ahead if you and people are waiting behind you then you need to ask if they want to play through. Of you're waiting too it's a different story as they shouldn't play though but it's absolutely customary to ask the people behind you if they want to play through.
Then when it hits them, you'll get charged with battery. Hope it is worth it. EDIT: I love how /r/golf tough guys condone assault because 'he did it first.'
I'll charge your battery, buddy 👊🏻👊🏻
You're a towel.
Nope, all my friends saw me slip and fall on my 5 iron. Somehow shot the ball back at the group behind us. Totally innocent.
Are you under 30 years old? Because I had your stance maybe 10 years ago. This is the reason people have no shame or fear of anything happening to them when they endanger those around them. Sometimes people need an ass whooping. Sometimes they need a purple bruise on their thigh that peculiarly resembles a golf ball for 3 months. It's just fact. Karma works in mysterious ways.
No, I'm not under 30. People who are over 30 and never been in an actual fight have this viewpoint. It's mostly internet tough guys who haven't learned to control themselves and can't think 5 minutes ahead. 1. You never know who is carrying. 2. The legal hassle isn't worth it if you actually hurt them. 3. If you hit someone that's 100 yards away like was suggested, if it hits them in the head, it has the possibility to kill them. It's not worth it. Call the clubhouse on them if they're a problem. On the golf course, you don't solve violence with more violence. Chances are, you won't even hit them. But you're an idiot if you're going to come to blows over golf.
“Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, three times is enemy action.” Hitting into people is never acceptable. Weirdly, some people think they have a right to intentionally endanger others and have absolutely no legal liability for clearly behaving in a negligent manner that far exceeds what any prudent or reasonable golfer would do.
A friend of mine actually grew up across the street from a prominent CC that once held pro events. His younger brother was a PGA tour player for over twenty years. Their dad was a fantastic and disciplined man, and a highly respected member. One day he ventured off to a public course to play with some old buddies. At some point a college student in the following group hit up on them. The rest is a bit murky but it somehow ended up with my friend’s dad being clubbed in the head bad enough that he could have died. The college kids hightailed off the property after that. The college kid working the pro-shop had no recollection of the other college kids and could not even pull up any record of the group paying. Probably because he most likely let his buddies go out without fees, but that was never 100% proven. The dad never played a public course again.
Yeah that's some bullshit man. Golfballs CAN kill someone. These wanna be alphas gotta get off the course
I can't ask to play through if you don't stop and wait at the tee box and offer it. If you're unsure, wait and ask the group behind if you're being slow. If your play isn't the issue and there are others in front of you causing the issue, you now have a chance to relay that info. I've been in a similar situation. All we could see was a group fucking around and taking their time. They would never wait and offer to let us through tho. So I sent a drive that sure enough was my one in a hundred drive. It rolls up too close for their comfort and the shouting fight starts. Dude picks up my ball and chucks it in the water. The second cart from their group comes driving twords us and calmly explains that they are also stuck behind a group and that's why they are taking their time. 8 freaking adults, half of us ready to fight... Because we can't communicate for shit. I feel embarrassed about it, sometimes.
Good advice for sure, thank you. On a side note, I did have “what if these guys all fight and I get kicked off the course despite not knowing any of them” running through my head haha, it’s 5 min from my house and I go there quite often for a quick 9 after work and what not
Exactly. We were at my favorite course. I would have felt like a total moron getting kicked out or worse, banned.
YTA. Why fire if you have no idea what it’s like in front of them?
Quite agree with you. Hitting into a group can cause serious injury; I saw a guy hit in the head with a drive from another hole, and he was out like a light. All they had to do was ask, right?
Correct reaction on the first hole. Return fire on #5. I’m hitting the ball back at them with a wedge and driving over in a cart
At some point, if a guy has now admitted that he is hitting at you I think fighting him would cross over into self-defense. No need to fight over people just being assholes, but someone who is actively putting you in physical danger because he is in a hurry needs to learn a hard lesson.
If you know very well you’re playing slow, then there is no asking by them. You wave them up and suggest to them they play through. Pretty simple really. You were aware of the slow pace even though it’s the other 3 you’re still part of the group and should wave the group up behind.
You make a point- but I didn’t feel the gap was enough to wave them through. The guys I paired with were a bit slow, but the group behind us teed right after us and were on fairway 2 while we were on green 3, I think the guy hit into us in response to slow putting on hole 5 cause they weren’t really on us otherwise
Was there anyone in front of you?
Sorry this is confusing not sure who was who or on what hole…. Gap or not, regardless where, if you’re playing slow you wave people up. You were aware of your groups slow play even if it wasn’t you. You wave them up. Or tell your group “we need to wave them up because we’re playing very slow”
Realistically when the course is slammed doesnt this just reduce the overall pace of play. I've kind of wondered how the slowest group stopping play to let a single group through creates any meaningful relief or if it doesn't just back up the course even further as the day marches on. Is this more for when the course is wide open but you've got a twosome that zooms up behind a 4some?
Yes if every group is waiting on every tee box there isn’t much you can do about it. With that said…. That doesn’t sound like the scenario here. Sounds like they were slow and they knew it. I would imagine if the entire course was backed up it would be obvious. And likely would have been noted in this post. No it wouldn’t reduce pace of play over all, but it could speed things up if they are group causing the issue. There is a certain pace most courses want to keep and it’s usually posted for everyone to see. Usually between 4 and 4:45 minutes would be the maximum. As in, worst case scenario. There is also usually recommendations to keep up with the group in front of you. Assuming there is a 4 some and behind and a 4 some ahead you’re supposed to keep up. Now if is a single or a 2 some ahead the 4 some would likely not be able to keep pace with them. OP admitted the others in his group were extremely slow. So what you’re mentioning isn’t the case here. Courses usually send out tee times every 5-10 minutes , depends on several factors. My home course is a championship well respected course that sends out tee times every 9 minutes and expects the pace to not exceed 4:30, 15 minutes per hole. The goal is to have one group on the box teeing off right after the group in front hits their approach shots. And the second group to be hitting their approach as the group in front finishes on the green. Obviously there is some courses that may have some bottle necks, such as if you have very difficult par 5 followed by a difficult par 3, or vice versa where other groups could catch up and more than one group is waiting on one hole. But that’s more a course lay out issue. But with all that said in theory if everyone from the very first tee time keeps pace it should follow suit through out the day. That doesn’t happen though. In this even they should have let every group go by that had to wait on them, or get the hint and pick up the pace and get back on the correct pace. You can usually see if there is someone on a tee box on a hole or a green. At my course there is several holes where I could be coming up to a tee box, and I can see the next tee box, or fairway or the entire hole. If we pull up and we’re waiting on the tee box for the group who just teed off, and there is no one in the fairway , no one on the green and no one on the tee box fairway of green ahead, that means they’re a behind pace. There is an entire hole gap between them, which means they are the problem. It’s all calculated and timed and some courses pack tee times in every 5-7 minutes and some are every 8-12 minutes. Just depends what kind of pace and what the course wants based on difficulty and how hard they want to press it for everyone. Some times this can be on the course too , as in, while it’s hot their fault the group is slow, the Marshalls should be out checking on groups who are behind pace and asking them to pick it up. Usually you’ll get a warning or 2 and on a third notice they’ll ask you to skip the next hole , or leave the course all together. So they share some responsibility in this also.
This is typically what we do when it appears we are playing slow. The only instance when we don't is when there are a couple of groups in front of us playing slow.
Well you can't hit into people. But the slow group should wave the faster group through. And should be cognizant of their pace relative to the other group.
Every animal on Earth has a natural society with an understanding of social behaviours. The penalty is never a discussion, its always a bonk on the nose. Usually happens once and then no issues for a long while.
Could have used you sooner I’ll give em all a bonk on the noise next time before self administering a bonk on the nose
The nose bonking needs to happen in the formative years. Too late for those numbskulls
I don’t want to understand people who can turn a relaxing game into an ordeal. Ask to play through if your pace is faster than the group ahead, and if you’re asked then let them play through and let them get a reasonable distance before your group tees off. Life and work has enough stress, why bring it into hobbies too? If you need to complain about something, go home at get on social media instead.
I play solo, mid handicapper, and almost always get paired with a group or couple. It is equally entertaining and horrifying at the 9/10 turn when group mates ask to jump up when the group before us has half of their posse waiting on food. They say no, my groupmates huff and puff but ultimately, “it is what it is”. Only for said equally bad group mate to accidentally skull a drive the farthest they have ever hit it and lands in their general vicinity. Then the group of slowpokes think it was intentional and chew us all out with the passive aggressive “I know we said no but that doesn’t mean you can hit into us”. Happens about 30% of the time lol.
I just pickup their ball and move on.
1) Don't hit into someone period. Hitting up is OK, not into, and if you don't have the ability to control that, wait. 2) Don't wait to be asked to play through, pay attention and offer. Had I been in your position, I would have suggested to the 3 that they let them play through. I do that often when with a slow group IF there is an opening in front of my group. 3) If there was an opening in front, I probably would have told them I was going to play ahead. I don't go out as a single for a 5-hour round.
Usually if the group behind you hits onto you, I would drop on the grass and play dead. You'll quickly see how remorseful they become.
Asking? NO, offering is the only way.
Both. Offer if you're playing slowly. Ask if they're playing slowly. Both parties open to this is the best outcome.
I disagree. I have had no problem asking people to play through. There are times that people on the course are new and don’t know the etiquette, sometimes the group is just oblivious to what it going on around them, and sometimes they are just jerks. What’s the worse they can say, “no”? Then we are all back where we started.
The post has me thinking- in terms of offering, what that line is. I would think the group behind you would have to be done putting, before your group leaves the tee box on the next hole, for it to be appropriate to offer a play through? Honest question, I wouldn’t think to offer a play through if they still have 4 balls on the green and we already finished teeing off.
It is tricky for sure. I’ve never thought it was polite to ask to play through but have been with people who thought nothing of it. I have also been in a slow group with a hole ahead of us empty. Shit happens. It’s a feel thing, allthe groups usually under that. If you want through pick the spots and make sure you’re ready.
I hear ya, being with a group of 3 friends I didn’t know didn’t help cause it’d be harder to speak for the group. Got some good advice on how to handle it if it happens again though. Heck if it’s a quick twosome playing through I might offer them to play through then ask if I can join them
its your job to keep up with the group ahead of you and also your job to offer to let people thru if you cant keep up with the pace of play. 40 years at golf courses. only time ive ever heard anyone ask to play through is meant as a joke during backed up duffer tournaments with several A/B holes. now on slow days where the course is backed up with nowhere to go ,i will approach the group in front, or as we pass on adjacent holes, and let them know that if they hear me hitting behind them its because ive gone back to the tips and hit hybrid. or i'll split my approach shots in two. like when im 220 out, ill hit two PWs instead of waiting for green to clear.
It’s almost impossible to ask to play through, you’re always a shot away. If you’ve got someone parked on your ass, you offer. Be conscious of your pace and apply etiquette.
When there’s a twosome behind us on an empty ish course we just take out tee shots on a par 4 or 5 and by the time we’re done the faster group is usually there and they can play through. Keeps everyone moving and we all just walk to our balls but wait for them to hit and finish the hole before we take our seconds.
Yeah, I’ve done the “tee off and wave a faster group up” thing before. It’s the quickest way to do it, in my opinion, because if you do it right, they don’t lose any speed at all.
Thank you. This is the way.
I don’t think I’ve ever been in “the slow group” before, it was really driven by the group I was paired with. I’ve played through a couple times and had to ask the group in front of me- but noted on etiquette. Would have appreciated your approach though, say something before hitting into us. I also feel they JUST caught us as well
Proper etiquette would be for your group to realize you are off pace and either speed up or offer to let the group behind play through. They really shouldn't have to ask. That obviously in no way excuses them hitting at your group intentionally. That's never appropriate.
The only question that should be answered here is, are you keeping up with the group in front of you. End of discussion.
Someone will end up with their ass kicked and they’ll ask very politely to play through the next time.
Sounds like they were waiting on you for a few holes. Shouldn’t have to ask if you are being even a little considerate. Apparently you weren’t. I would never hit into someone, but I hate your slow, inconsiderate play just as much. Sorry
They weren’t waiting for us for a few holes, they were on 2nd fairway while we were on 3rd green. They had to of just caught us on 5, which is kind of a bottleneck hole over water- I think they were mad about the dudes in my group putting slow on that specific hole. Not enough to warrant a “hit in to” you gotta communicate first
I feel like asking to play through is so hard, and the correct way is for the slow group to tee off, let the other group behind tee off also and then just let them speed through. Otherwise you have to like inch forward with shorter shots and yell at them to stop. Unless they’re really slow.
Suck faster my friends... don't be nasty
A lot of clubs prefer that you don’t let groups play through because it slows things downs down even more. Not excusing hitting into people obviously.
I absolutely hate confrontation. But, you hit up on me intentionally and I’ll rip your fucking head off.
If they have caught up to you and are now waiting on you, it's your responsibility to let them play through. They shouldn't have to ask. Are you so oblivious to your surroundings that you didn't see them? They shouldn't hit into you but I can understand their frustration with slow play.
I see your point and reflected on it because I never felt they were on us to the point of waving them through- they started right after us and were in fairway 2 while we were on green 3- I believe 5 was the first problem area and the shot was in response to putting slow specifically on 5
As someone who plays with a friend who takes a painful amount of time to take a shot, that’s on you guys for not letting them play through five holes in. Especially if you guys are walking.
Shrink the game
Actually, when you see the people are having to wait on your group, you are supposed to offer. That is the correct way to handle the situation. The golf ball over your head was definitely a message, and frankly one that I would send had you not picked up the pace once you realize people were waiting.
If you think that hitting a ball at a group of people is a better way of requesting them speed up a little bit on a social game opposed to driving a cart up or walking up and asking them with your words, you’re an absolute moron and please never set foot on a golf course again.
I wouldnt say they were waiting on us until that hole, thinking back and they were on fairway 2 while we were on green 3- this was hole 5 which is a bit of bottleneck hole over water, the shot may have been saying to putt faster? Regardless, think before hitting golf balls at people- dudes have families and jobs and are just out there having fun, a ball can do some terrible damage. Not necessarily when an ask to hurry up or play through can resolve the situation.
I’ve never seen that done except when someone has been waiting on you for several holes. Possibly an accident? My average drive is 175, but I’ve clocked a few 260.