Dear Single Behind Us

[Stooonne]

Originally Posted by Eracer

Agreed. But on busy days, the course management is irresponsible for letting singles out alone, unless there are no twosomes or threesomes that the single can join.

That's how I feel as well. What annoys me is when the course is completely busy (two groups per hole or something), and there is a single behind us pressing us. If there is room ahead of us, I'll be glad to let the single player pass us.

But when there are two groups waiting on the next tee, and the single asks 'Do you mind if I play through?' I always wonder 'Where do you expect to go once you past us? Play through the next 10 groups?'

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by Stooonne

That's how I feel as well. What annoys me is when the course is completely busy (two groups per hole or something), and there is a single behind us pressing us. If there is room ahead of us, I'll be glad to let the single player pass us.

But when there are two groups waiting on the next tee, and the single asks 'Do you mind if I play through?' I always wonder 'Where do you expect to go once you past us? Play through the next 10 groups?'

Exactly. And if I'm behind a single who's waiting on a threesome ahead of him, I ask myself, why?


Oh yeah, he paid his money. He has the right to occupy a foursome's slot.

[loftgolf]

Originally Posted by Eracer

Exactly. And if I'm behind a single who's waiting on a threesome ahead of him, I ask myself, why?

Dude, I've been married for almost 28 years and am STILL waiting on a threesome! Ummmm, whooops, hold on...um, yeah I, um, hate waiting for stupid golfers too! That's what I meant to say. Please disregard the earlier stuff!

[FATC1TY]

Hell, I was with a buddy the other evening for a quick 9 before hitting the house after work.. We pull up on 1, hit, get in the fairway, and a two are behind us. We finish, get on 2, and.. see two guys just in front of the ladies tee boxes.. Thats where his drive was.. Both of them were terrible..

Now.. I'm no good golfer, and everyone has their chance to play, learn, and mess up. I don't laugh at ANYONE's swing, or shot or anything.. maybe a complete miss, but aside from that..

Well, they hit the ball around 10 times for a par 4, and weren't on the green. The worse part.. I was in a cart, they were walking. And BOTH guys, were SHARING a bag of clubs.

How the hell did they manage to get out to play WITHOUT another set? Jesus christ.

We decided to let them finished, played the hole, and skipped over the short par 3, that we always get par/birdie anyways.

Scratched a par for us both and hit 4..

That pissed me off a little.

[longfornothing]

Originally Posted by Stooonne

But when there are two groups waiting on the next tee, and the single asks 'Do you mind if I play through?' I always wonder 'Where do you expect to go once you past us? Play through the next 10 groups?'

I'm expecting to play through and finish 18 in 3 hours instead of 5. I don't see what the big deal of letting a single through, no matter the situation in front. It's like driving in the left lane going 70mph and not moving over for others that are going faster. It's inconsiderate at the core. Especially if your group is slow. You are not the only people on the course and just b/c you are a 4 some, that doesn't give you any rights at all to slow play. If not your group, then some group ahead is causing a problem and I'm not going to let them hold up my round. I'm not retired, I have limited time to enjoy my hobby, it's that simple. I've never had a problem playing through. Sometimes I join up the group in front of me for a few holes, then once it's clearly established that they are holding me up, I usually just say thanks and go on about my round. If they aren't slow, most of the time I finish out with them.

I frequently play through 5-8 groups as a single. Especially when I wuss out and use a cart. I'm not playing speed golf, but I don't dick around, I check lie, check Skycaddie yardage, check wind, pull club, pick target, 2 practice swings, address the ball, check alignment, 1 last look at target, swing, watch ball land in hazard, LOL, and I'm off to the next shot.

I'm not an A-hole hitting into groups pressing them, but I am the guy who will drive up to your group and ask "You mind if I play through, ya'll can hit your tee shots in less than 2 mins. I would appreaciate it, I run a business and have 3 kids under 10 years old and I don't have much time to play." Then, after all of sudden having all kinds of pressure on you to hit a good shot "worthy of being let through", you either smoke it and look like a hotshot, or you skank it and look like a dumb azz as you say "Thank you, enjoy ya'll round".

Notice that "pressure" next time you play through a group.

I also will note, that I observed that 4 somes can play fast. I've had several 3 and 4 somes catch me when I'm walking and dropping a few balls here and there just practicing basically. But they come flying through.

Makes me smile as I wave them on. Matter of fact, they don't even have to ask me to play through, when they get close enough, I wave them on and get off the fairway behind a tree. What do I care if they play faster than me? Right? Then I go on about my business without having to worry about someone behind me, nor will I be waiting on anyone in front of me. Makes for an enjoyable day.

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by longfornothing

I'm expecting to play through and finish 18 in 3 hours instead of 5. I don't see what the big deal of letting a single through, no matter the situation in front. It's like driving in the left lane going 70mph and not moving over for others that are going faster. It's inconsiderate at the core. Especially if your group is slow. You are not the only people on the course and just b/c you are a 4 some, that doesn't give you any rights at all to slow play. If not your group, then some group ahead is causing a problem and I'm not going to let them hold up my round. I'm not retired, I have limited time to enjoy my hobby, it's that simple. I've never had a problem playing through. Sometimes I join up the group in front of me for a few holes, then once it's clearly established that they are holding me up, I usually just say thanks and go on about my round. If they aren't slow, most of the time I finish out with them.

I frequently play through 5-8 groups as a single. Especially when I wuss out and use a cart. I'm not playing speed golf, but I don't dick around, I check lie, check Skycaddie yardage, check wind, pull club, pick target, 2 practice swings, address the ball, check alignment, 1 last look at target, swing, watch ball land in hazard, LOL, and I'm off to the next shot.

I'm not an A-hole hitting into groups pressing them, but I am the guy who will drive up to your group and ask "You mind if I play through, ya'll can hit your tee shots in less than 2 mins. I would appreaciate it, I run a business and have 3 kids under 10 years old and I don't have much time to play." Then, after all of sudden having all kinds of pressure on you to hit a good shot "worthy of being let through", you either smoke it and look like a hotshot, or you skank it and look like a dumb azz as you say "Thank you, enjoy ya'll round".

Wow, you certainly do have a selfish attitude. You want to play through, no matter the situation up front? Sorry, but the last time I looked, if my group is keeping up with the group ahead, who is keeping up with the group ahead of them, then we're not guilty of slow play, and you have no implicit right to play through anyone. I've got a business to run also, but I don't worry about about it on the course. Frankly, I don't give a darn where you need to be in an hour. Not my problem. Is that selfish? Maybe, but I'll hold my ground on this one.

Wait your turn. Relax. And if you can't, then maybe you should take up late-model sportsman racing, where it's considered OK to knock people out of your way.

[gwlee7]

Longfornothing,

You would not be allowed to get out on my home course on a busy day as a single without being told that you were most likely going to have to do a lot of waiting. Our course isn't really all that interested in bringing 6 consecutive foursomes to a screeching halt to let a single through either. That ends up pissing off 24 people instead of 1.

I play as a single a lot of afternoons during the week. We have a huge group that goes out at 1:00pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. I never ever even consider trying to go through them. I practice behind them.

[LyleG]

Originally Posted by Eracer

Wow, you certainly do have a selfish attitude. You want to play through, no matter the situation up front? Sorry, but the last time I looked, if my group is keeping up with the group ahead, who is keeping up with the group ahead of them, then we're not guilty of slow play, and you have no implicit right to play through anyone. I've got a business to run also, but I don't worry about about it on the course. Frankly, I don't give a darn where you need to be in an hour. Not my problem. Is that selfish? Maybe, but I'll hold my ground on this one.

Wait your turn. Relax. And if you can't, then maybe you should take up late-model sportsman racing, where it's considered OK to knock people out of your way.

Excellent response and dead on the money. To expect to simply play through because you think your time is more valuable than everyone else's stinks of arrogance beyond comprehension. It just might be time to get a new hobby.

[Harry Longshanks]

Originally Posted by longfornothing

I'm expecting to play through and finish 18 in 3 hours instead of 5. I don't see what the big deal of letting a single through, no matter the situation in front. It's like driving in the left lane going 70mph and not moving over for others that are going faster.

And you are the guy who drives single in the carpool (or "exit only" lane or shoulder) in order to pass all the other cars going regular speed, but knowing that you have to merge up ahead. And when you force your way in, all of the cars you just passed while cutting have to slow down while you disrupt the flow of traffic and make everyone behind you wait.

And if you asked anyone in my foursome if you could play through, we would say "no". Because now, in addition to the group in front of us, we have to wait on you to tee off and clear the fairways and greens too.

We all lead busy lives. Wait your turn like everybody else. You're not special.

[Nikonut]

Originally Posted by longfornothing

It's like driving in the left lane going 70mph and not moving over for the Maniac Morons. .

fixed that for you

[longfornothing]

I don't drive in HOV lanes when I'm by myself. I'm not that guy. Try again.

Anyhow, the only time I play as a single is in the afternoon. Usually 3pm or later. No course around here will let a single go off during a busy day.

I don't understand where some of you think that I'm being selfish, b/c I don't want to spend a total of an hour watching 4 people play slow golf and show poor etiquette by not allowing faster groups/singles play through. How is that being selfish? In reality it's the slow group who is being selfish.

From my observations, most of the slow groups are retired. Therefore they take their time. No problem from me on that. They have earned the right to do that. Just let other people through who don't have all day to play 18. I have other things I have to do, so I play fast so I can enjoy my hobby. No big deal, different people have different agendas. I wouldn't mess with their time, and I would expect them to feel the same way about my time. I don't see my time being anymore valuable than theirs. I just don't have as much as them and need to go.

If you look at 99% of the scorecards is says right there on the card "To please let faster groups play through". So these people who for whatever reason won't let anyone play through, they just get to break the rules b/c of what????????

Also, probably the main reason there is a log jam, is b/c the group behind the problem group will not ask to play through. Again, why should all the other groups have to be held up b/c someone is scared to ask to play through. That is the main reason I push forward, b/c in reality the only reason everyone is backed up, is b/c someone is scared to confront the slow group. I'm not.

Besides, a single is just faster. What is the big deal of letting a single through???????????? Is it ego? Bravado? Jealously that your stuck with 3 slow pokes and you can't take off? I mean really, what is the exact problem with letting a single through, even if you're not playing slow, why the hard feelings about letting a single play through???

Why would you purposely prevent a faster player from playing through, no matter the situation ahead? That is what is "selfish." I would never hold up anyone. There is never a good reason for that. Even this lame reason that you are keeping up with the group in front of you. You shouldn't purposely hold a single up. You know darn well you would be waiting 2 mins to hit your shots. What the hell does "Hold my ground on this one" mean in context? What are you defending?

Maybe those stubborn people need to go find another hobby. I like mine.

[Skiddlydiddly]

Seems to me that all of these groups waiting on the groups ahead have done nothing wrong, and shouldn't be asked to wait even longer simply because you're capable of playing faster. Remember, playing through only speeds things up for whoever's playing through. It slows things down even more for every one else, as now there's somebody else ahead of them. Even if that somebody else is a fast single, you'll now be waiting more as he plays through all the groups ahead. It adds up (2 minutes times how many shots?), to your benefit and everyone else's detriment.

longfornothing, you want to make things a little bit worse for everyone else to make things a little better for yourself. If that's not selfish, then what is?

[Eracer]

If there is a hole open ahead of our group, I will certainly let you through.

Other than that, fuggedaboutit! This isn't NASCAR. You can't just keep barging your way through groups ahead to find the one that's holding everybody up, just because you're a single. Doesn't work that way. That's selfish.

[SiberianDVM]

Gotta agree with eracer here.

I play as a single a lot in the afternoons. If the pace is slow and no one offers to let me play through, then I just hit 2 balls on some shots, practice the putt I just missed, and play 9 holes instead of 18. If I'm walking, which I enjoy, but my left knee doesn't, then 9 holes is about all I want to play anyway, especially in this heat.

It wasn't until 2004 that the R & A changed an "etiquette rule" stating that a single has no standing on the course, and just this year that a single was recognized as a "group." So in most places, I would expect that singles are still considered "second class."

Courses should really put a little more effort into putting golfers out on the course in pairs, rather than singles, triples, or 4 somes, as the pace of play would be much better.

[JEFF4i]

Originally Posted by Eracer

If there is a hole open ahead of our group, I will certainly let you through.

Other than that, fuggedaboutit! This isn't NASCAR. You can't just keep barging your way through groups ahead to find the one that's holding everybody up, just because you're a single. Doesn't work that way. That's selfish.

Pretty much. Actually as a single I've only met a couple groups that were totally inconsiderate. Why were they? I'm talking 5-6 hour rounds on their part and refusing to let me through. Luckily I would just play through a little more....forcefully. No one gets hurt, I just drive the ball over them, or past them on an approach when they are well out of the way but on the way to their balls. Is this somewhat jerkish? Yeah. I know it is. But still, 6 hour rounds do exceed the rules, and there's just no reason not to let me play through. I stay safe about it though, if I can't pass them safely but really want to, I just pick up and go to the next hole.

HOWEVER!!! If I'm behind a group, and its slow, and I'm not going to go anywhere efficiently(ala, worth the effort of asking or rushing to get through them, and then a few others), I just take my time. I enjoy the view. Nothing like hanging out underneath a tree watching a nice day. Or, when I'm playing, I think more. Not necessarily on approach shots because that gets me in hot water, but on putts. I'll walk around and get a couple different angles, a couple different times. Think more about speed, all that stuff. Does it make a big difference? Sometimes, but it gives me something to do and trains my eye.

Look, life is just too fast now a days. We rush to work, we rush home, we rush here and there and everywhere. There's a beautiful world around you and I thought that golf still had that essence to it. What's so important in your life that you need to finish your 18 but can't enjoy a beautiful course, a beautiful day, and if you're playing with me, a beautiful playing partner?