If I EVER learn to hit an iron right I'll be amazed

[warbirdlover]

Learned a few things over the last week or two about myself. I played alone and shot a great score on an easy course. I took my time over the shots and had success. Played last Wednesday with a friend who had two other guys along. These guys have to play super fast and it rubs off on you. I was dubbing and shanking shots all over the place. I never felt comfortable over the ball and shot a horrible score. Yesterday, I played with a couple (both decent) but we were behind some hackers so I took my time, even taking (rare for me) practice swings before my shot. That was the answer. I shot pretty decent on a tough track with only a couple shanks and ended up 44 for nine holes, two pars (just missing birdies), one double bogey and the rest bogeys. That's an average good day of golf for me so no complaints. But I'll be looking at my "routine" a little harder next year. I might have discovered the answer to my inconsistency (pace of play too fast). I just have to learn to play at MY speed and if someone doesn't like tough noogies. I'm not that slow anyway, getting to my ball quickly, not looking too long for lost balls, reading the putts so I'm ready when it's my turn etc.

[Eracer]

Revisiting the "pace of play" issue:

1. Four hours for a foursome of 15-20 handicappers (i.e. most golfers) in carts, on a typical American course, is too fast. Even with "Ready Golf" on the tee box.

2. That could be speeded up if people were willing to play their shot when they got to their ball. Forget this "You're away (and on the other side of the fairway) so I'll wait." If I can't concentrate on my shot with you hitting your ball standing 50 yards away from me, then I need to learn to relax. Same thing with chips.

3. At least 50% of slow play can be attributed to not knowing proper cart management and flag management. How to properly tend a flag (and who's job it is to tend it) is something that needs to be taught to our young players.

4. I totally agree with WBL on this. Nothing takes me out of my game faster than feeling rushed. I have a routine (takes about 30 seconds from the time I get out of the cart to the time I hit the ball) and I'm going to stick with it.

[bames]

Originally Posted by warbirdlover

...I just have to learn to play at MY speed and if someone doesn't like tough noogies. I'm not that slow anyway, getting to my ball quickly, not looking too long for lost balls, reading the putts so I'm ready when it's my turn etc.

I think this is one of the more difficult things to do in golf. I also believe it is one of the reasons that pros won't watch each other play. You have to learn to play YOUR game, which includes your pace, your abilities, your routines, etc. despite your environment. My scoring did not drop to a more consistent level until I learned how to right the ship mentally in difficult/uncomfortable circumstances. Try playing a round once with a few other golfers and avoid even watching them play. It is tough to do, but a valuable lesson.

[warbirdlover]

if you happen to be "riding" with some selfish slob at the wheel who goes to his ball first no matter who is back. I've found this can really mess up your game since you always feel "under the gun" with people "waiting on you" to hit a shot through no fault of your own. I'm "re-adjusting" my outlook from now on. If I get in a situation like this I'm taking my (paid for) time. I'll probably be a lot more vocal to these morons also in this regard. Feeling rushed and uncomfortable over the shot (previously mentioned) has cost me strokes for the last time.

The only one I liked riding with this year was sssmokin. I'll probably be walking more next year for this reason.

[slickpitt]

Originally Posted by warbirdlover

if you happen to be "riding" with some selfish slob at the wheel who goes to his ball first no matter who is back. I've found this can really mess up your game since you always feel "under the gun" with people "waiting on you" to hit a shot through no fault of your own. I'm "re-adjusting" my outlook from now on. If I get in a situation like this I'm taking my (paid for) time. I'll probably be a lot more vocal to these morons also in this regard. Feeling rushed and uncomfortable over the shot (previously mentioned) has cost me strokes for the last time.

The only one I liked riding with this year was sssmokin. I'll probably be walking more next year for this reason.

I don't get in a hurry for anyone. My pace of play is fine. I'd say middle of the road. I have a routine and I do the same thing before every shot regardless.

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by bames

I think this is one of the more difficult things to do in golf. I also believe it is one of the reasons that pros won't watch each other play. You have to learn to play YOUR game, which includes your pace, your abilities, your routines, etc. despite your environment.

The pros are on a clock, but it's a S-L-O-W clock. Weekend warriors have rangers (not a bad thing, if done right) really slow players, and foursomes who don't putt out and then think you're holding them up.

Pros play in the same size groups. Weekend warriors have singles, twosomes, threesomes, foursomes, and sometimes fivesomes on the course.

The pros pretty much own the course they're on. Weekenders are little more than walking credit card receipts.

What you're saying is lovely in theory, but in the real world it's very difficult for weekenders to play at the pace needed to stay focused and relaxed enough to play one's best golf.

[Wi-Golfer]

My pace of play could be considered as quick normally. If I have the course to myself, then it's anywhere from 45 minutes to 75 minutes for 9 holes. 18 depending on the course is anywhere from 2 hrs 15 minutes up to 3 hrs. And i'm not rushing, it's just that if you eliminate the way off kilter shots & keep em near if not on the fairway, then it really speeds up the game.

The 3 big time wasters I see continuously are:
Too much time spent looking for a lost ball
Too much time spent "reading" the green for what will be someones 3rd or 4th putt.
And finally, way too many practice swings. I watched folks take 3-4-5-6 practice swings & then promptly hit it 15 yds sideways.

[bames]

Originally Posted by Eracer

The pros are on a clock, but it's a S-L-O-W clock. Weekend warriors have rangers (not a bad thing, if done right) really slow players, and foursomes who don't putt out and then think you're holding them up.

Pros play in the same size groups. Weekend warriors have singles, twosomes, threesomes, foursomes, and sometimes fivesomes on the course.

The pros pretty much own the course they're on. Weekenders are little more than walking credit card receipts.

What you're saying is lovely in theory, but in the real world it's very difficult for weekenders to play at the pace needed to stay focused and relaxed enough to play one's best golf.

Very true. I guess my general point is that I've found success on days where I'm really focused on scoring that if I give almost no thought to what my partners are doing that day whether they play fast or slow, and play my game as if I'm alone, I score much better.
Of course there are days though when I just want to play golf and we all belittle each other after every shot!