Golfers HATE waiting to play, due to the group in front of them playing slowly. Fights have been known to break out on the course, as patience is tested and nerves become frayed.
During one round this summer I waited for two to three minutes on every tee box. While each of these delays isn’t horrendous by itself if you add the total time spent watching someone else swing, I wasted nearly half an hour on the front nine alone. You can see why one may become disgruntled. The offensive slow group didn’t even offer to let us play through at the turn, to end our misery.
What’s a golfer to do when play is delayed?
First, determine why the group ahead is playing slow.
Is there any space in front of the group playing before you? If not, the slow pace of play may not be due to them but a group farther ahead. In this case, there’s not a lot that can be done.
Next, ask nicely if you can play though.
Most golfers are understanding and will allow others that have a quicker pace to play through, especially if they’ve seen you on their tails for multiple holes. If they do accommodate your request, remember to thank them (repeatedly) and play through quickly. Make sure you are proficient enough to not cause delays in advancing your spot on the course. You don’t want the group you played through asking if they can have back the honors.
Finally, if these steps don’t work and the delay is excessive, contact a marshal or the clubhouse. Sometimes golfers don’t play nicely and you need an outside influence to make a change. A course marshal, or diplomatic ranger, can talk on your behalf to slow players.
Alternatively, if you are being pushed by the group behind then take a look ahead. Is there free space in front of you? If so, offer the group behind you to play through. Just this last weekend we stood aside and let a similar size group continue play. We had a hole open in front of us and were spending some time looking for a lost ball. They holed out before we were ready for our approach shots.
The next time you find your group delayed consider the real problem and address it, nicely. Regardless of the outcome, enjoy your round and the time spent with your playing companions.
If you’d like more tips on golfing etiquette check out The Golf Rules-Etiquette.
