[Super-Luser]

I know there have been a few slow play threads, but i couldn't find any on how you keep your mental edge when you get slowed up by a group and you are in a good groove..... todays round i was cruising opened up with a birdie, was hitting the ball really well. get to the 3rd hole and sit on the tee box for 20 minutes then hit my drive right down the center sit for another 15 minutes to hit my second shot and end up shanking it off to the right. and up bogeying the hole.... next hole i play through and start playing better for 2 holes then get stuck behind another 4 some and bogey that hole then they let me play through and went par par birdie birdie par ran into another 4 some and had to wait and ended up hitting 2 bad shots and bogeying that hole.... i mean they let me play through after a hole of me waiting, which was nice actually all the 4 somes except the one i ran into on 8 did which i wouldn't expect them to let me through on 9 which was 18 for them but all of these foursomes were BRUTALLY slow. Every time the foursomes took 4 shots to go 100 yards. and i would just sit and wait and wait.... i was really in the zone today when i was playing at my pace and i got myself back on track 3 times which i was proud of but does anyone have any helpful hints on how they deal with this problem? its like when my pace comes to a screeching halt so does my good play. i know i could have shot even par or better today if there wasn't anyone on the course and i just could play at my pace for 18.... i was just frustrated with it today and i tried to chip on the tee box and keep my mind off of it but it just kinda ate at me today and i started looking at my score which i KNOW i shouldn't have done but just seeing what other people do i know there are other faster players out there and was looking for some advice. FYI i play very fast 2.5-3 hour rounds when no one is in front of me. and its not as bad when the pace is the same all day even if its slower than i like its when im playing at my FAST pace and things come to a dead STOP that i really have the problem. Thanks for your help.

[prpaims]

A question for you, were they "brutally slow" or was it just your were a single? There is no way a foursome can be fast enough to stay ahead of a single, it's just not realistic. I too can finish 18 (walking by myself) in 2:20 - 3:00 (depending keeping the ball in play), so I think you'd be shocked at what you are considering brutally slow play of a foursome is actually "on pace".

I have been in this boat before and it is real difficult to keep the focus. I will wait on the tee (as long as I can - without whom ever behind me from catching me). While on the tee, I will chip and stretch out, check the scores on my blackberry, etc. It passes the time. Once I reach the green (after putting out), I will hit some chips/putts to kill a little time. That's really all you can do. If it is still bad, I call it a round and start playing two three balls each hole and not post it as a HC score.

Good luck!!!

[Mello]

I seem to be running into the same issue a lot, but its always when Im by myself, so I'll just have to deal with it

[PhillipHer]

I think momentum plays a huge role in golf, if you can get in a groove and don't have to worry about long pauses you can really keep rolling when you're playing well. I've run into some of my best rounds while playing very fast and some of my worst rounds playing super slow. The kicker for me is not to over think anything, if it's quick there's no time to think you just react and make an athletic move to the ball and go, if it's slow there's a lot of moving parts and a lot of time to think about 'em!!!

[Super-Luser]

A question for you, were they "brutally slow" or was it just your were a single? There is no way a foursome can be fast enough to stay ahead of a single, it's just not realistic. I too can finish 18 (walking by myself) in 2:20 - 3:00 (depending keeping the ball in play), so I think you'd be shocked at what you are considering brutally slow play of a foursome is actually "on pace".

I have been in this boat before and it is real difficult to keep the focus. I will wait on the tee (as long as I can - without whom ever behind me from catching me). While on the tee, I will chip and stretch out, check the scores on my blackberry, etc. It passes the time. Once I reach the green (after putting out), I will hit some chips/putts to kill a little time. That's really all you can do. If it is still bad, I call it a round and start playing two three balls each hole and not post it as a HC score.

Good luck!!!

i was a single and i don't expect them to play at a singles pace they were brutally slow the one foursome took 30 minutes on the one hole. i know i have no rights and like i said they were very nice and let me play through. i just don't take practice swings usually i get up and hit the ball.... i did try to stay away from my ball for as long as possible so that i acted like i was just getting up to my ball and didn't ruin my preshot routine which did help a little bit. like i said im just looking to see what some other people do. im really not complaining about slow play there are about 10 other threads about that. its the way the game is right now at most courses and honestly i enjoy playing golf by myself. i play better alone cause i can think about every shot and am not distracted by anything else. i think thats also why i got frustrated more today too cause i was in the zone and wasn't distracted and then i was distracted by how i had to wait 20 minutes to tee off on the 3rd hole.

[redDoodia]

I know there have been a few slow play threads, but i couldn't find any on how you keep your mental edge when you get slowed up by a group and you are in a good groove..... todays round i was cruising opened up with a birdie, was hitting the ball really well. get to the 3rd hole and sit on the tee box for 20 minutes then hit my drive right down the center sit for another 15 minutes to hit my second shot and end up shanking it off to the right. and up bogeying the hole.... next hole i play through and start playing better for 2 holes then get stuck behind another 4 some and bogey that hole then they let me play through and went par par birdie birdie par ran into another 4 some and had to wait and ended up hitting 2 bad shots and bogeying that hole.... i mean they let me play through after a hole of me waiting, which was nice actually all the 4 somes except the one i ran into on 8 did which i wouldn't expect them to let me through on 9 which was 18 for them but all of these foursomes were BRUTALLY slow. Every time the foursomes took 4 shots to go 100 yards. and i would just sit and wait and wait.... i was really in the zone today when i was playing at my pace and i got myself back on track 3 times which i was proud of but does anyone have any helpful hints on how they deal with this problem? its like when my pace comes to a screeching halt so does my good play. i know i could have shot even par or better today if there wasn't anyone on the course and i just could play at my pace for 18.... i was just frustrated with it today and i tried to chip on the tee box and keep my mind off of it but it just kinda ate at me today and i started looking at my score which i KNOW i shouldn't have done but just seeing what other people do i know there are other faster players out there and was looking for some advice. FYI i play very fast 2.5-3 hour rounds when no one is in front of me. and its not as bad when the pace is the same all day even if its slower than i like its when im playing at my FAST pace and things come to a dead STOP that i really have the problem. Thanks for your help.

If it's ridiculously slow and the group behind you is slow too, then take some extra time on the green to practice some greenside shots, putting maybe even sand shots, this will continue helping you for the next holes and you wont lose your focus.

[gamblingstats]

I ran into this situation on Sunday.

We didn't have to wait to hit a shot until the ninth hole. From then on, we waited a minimum of 10 minutes on every tee box and approach shot.

I completely lost my concentration and my tempo. Along with that, I have a bad back, so sitting for an extended period of time causes it to tense up. My ball striking went out the window.

Sure, I could take practice swings and do other things to try and help. I don't even want to think about how tired I would be taking that many practice swings out in the sun and humidity during the course or a 3 hour span to play 9 holes. If this keeps up, I may forego weekend golf completely and stick to playing after work. I played 36 holes in four hours the other day. It was great!

[enfoires]

It's definitely hard... I try to take my mind off golf while i wait. Works sometimes and others not so much.

[ñàéäèíã]

I feel your p,at man. Nothing worse then getting into a good rhythm only to have it slow down.

Although I wonder if the opposite could work for a golfer? If you're playing poorly and are forced to slow down, does that help someone calm down and collect themselves whereas they might not do for themselves otherwise?


^^^^^^ I Tapped That.....On My iPad ^^^^^^

[Super-Luser]

I feel your p,at man. Nothing worse then getting into a good rhythm only to have it slow down.

Although I wonder if the opposite could work for a golfer? If you're playing poorly and are forced to slow down, does that help someone calm down and collect themselves whereas they might not do for themselves otherwise?


^^^^^^ I Tapped That.....On My iPad ^^^^^^

My buddy is the exact opposite than me we hurry to play through someone and he plays horrible. I usually play my best holes playing through groups it's funny cause he gets frustrated cause were stuck behind someone and plays horrible while we play through then plays fine again the next hole. I gotta find a way to keep my cool the chipping and stuff is fine but I want the group ahead of me to know I wanna play through so I usually stand on the tee box. Today I even was chipping back and forth to the tee markers on a few holes.

[pokerbonuscod]

Golf is very much a mental game, and having the mental ability to adjust on the fly is what sets good golfers apart from average golfers. I learned many years ago to just take what the course offers speed wise on a given day. I hate slow play as much as anyone, but I'm not a huge fan of singles trying to play speed golf either. As a single, you simply have to expect slow periods on the course.

[Super-Luser]

Golf is very much a mental game, and having the mental ability to adjust on the fly is what sets good golfers apart from average golfers. I learned many years ago to just take what the course offers speed wise on a given day. I hate slow play as much as anyone, but I'm not a huge fan of singles trying to play speed golf either. As a single, you simply have to expect slow periods on the course.

I really have started learning just how much mental the game is. I never bought into it till recently. But now I really do. I wasn't really trying to play speed golf. I just play quick. I def wasn't hitting into anyone I actually waited on 18 till the group was off the green when I was still on the tee box. Hope you don't think I was that guy up someones butt all day. I don't do that. I really think I need to get more mentally tough out there. Today was just another round that proved it.

[Xiciljed]

Today I played behind a group that was slower than me. No wonder I didn't par every hole.

No, I actually just play golf and not worry about others who have paid to play the course just like I have. A group of people that I don't interact with during my round shouldn't and don't affect my golf game. At least that's not what I blame.

[Shemker394]

If there's no room in front of the group in front of me, I don't even worry and take my time. If there is room, I'll be a bit passive aggressive and make sure as soon as they're safely out of range I'll hit, then get to my ball asap and stand over it ready to hit. If after 2 or 3 holes they don't let me by, I'll give it up and stay back.

If there's nobody behind me, I'll stay on greens and practice chipping and putting, and especially bunker shots. If people are behind me, I'll usually just walk slowly between shots and from green to tee so I'm not waiting over my shot, and take a few extra seconds over putts. For me, so long as I'm walking I'm still staying in rythm. I'll also try to go out of my way to appologize to the group behind me so they know why I'm not playing as fast as possible at all times.

[ENCOSEARRALIA]

I actually don't mind slow play, as long as I can understand why it's happening...

I just relax and enjoy the being outside and alive. I have a preshot routine that I stick to. So when it's safe to hit, I go through my routine and it's like I never waited.

[cialviagra]

If I'm solo and groups are ahead of me I just slow down everything I do. I'd rather have one frame of mind than rush, slow, rush, slow, etc. I walk slower, take a drink, check THP on my phone, clean my club, etc.

It sucks, but it's a reality of playing by yourself sometimes. It's just much easier for me to accept it and change my tempo ahead of time than sit there and worry about it.

[Super-Luser]

Good stuff. Yeah I never really thought it bothered me to the point where it is affecting my play I just thought it sucked and it was the way things were and I would just wait. But looking back at my score card today everytime I was waiting to tee off and was waiting I bogeyed that hole. Just was a glaring issue with such a great round today. And something I was interested in hearing other people's opinions about.

[pokerbonuscod]

I really have started learning just how much mental the game is. I never bought into it till recently. But now I really do. I wasn't really trying to play speed golf. I just play quick. I def wasn't hitting into anyone I actually waited on 18 till the group was off the green when I was still on the tee box. Hope you don't think I was that guy up someones butt all day. I don't do that. I really think I need to get more mentally tough out there. Today was just another round that proved it.

That was the only point I was trying to make. If you tell yourself you can not play well in slower rounds, you won't. You dictate how well you will play, not the group in front or behind you.

I go with the flow on the course. I'm there to play golf and enjoy the course, being outside etc, no matter the pace. I play with a large skins group on weekends and I discovered long ago, that the guys in this group that are pissed all the time on the course, are pissed all the time in life. If your one of those people that drives 20 mph over the speed limit everytime your in a car, you more than likely will have issues on the course. Our world went and got in a big hurry a few years ago. Just go with whatever pace you are dealt on a given day. Lifes short.

[Mypepraipse]

As long as the slow play is not by better players (5.5 - 6 hour round), then I am okay with it. If I see newbs shanking it but keeping pace it doesnt bother me. I just have convo with my group and just ignore the "slow" play.

[hHwJ229h]

Changing pace goof's me up, but like hawk mentioned it can go either direction. Last week, playing a new to me course, it was painfully slow on the front nine and I played some damn good golf, but that's how the round started. Everyone was on way to the back, so we played the front wide open and fast, I sucked it up, lol.

When we got back to the back things slowed down and my game came back. I generally play better at a quicker pace.