With Patrick Lockie...
Slow play remains, apart from a duffed chip, possibly the most annoying thing in golf.
Everyone accepts that some days on the course will be slow, especially during summer when big fields take to the course. The professionals have recently spent a lot of time out on the course trying to speed things up, but we should all be trying to help.
Golfers seem to get most riled about slow play when the group in front is not only behind the clock but apparently making no effort to catch up either. Some groups appear to dawdle off the tee, marking their cards before teeing off and generally giving the impression they don't really care if they're slow.
In theory, the low marker has the responsibility to speed the group up, but this can be difficult among friends and colleagues. So, if you are in a group that has fallen behind the clock and a hole or even two behind, everyone in the group should take responsibility to speed up and catch up. Play ready golf, if it's safe to. Walk briskly off the tee and between shots, and as much as possible be ready to play when it is your turn. Only mark your card on the next tee when you have hit your tee shot or waiting for others to hit. At least look like you are trying to bridge the gap.
Look out for the notice board in the next few weeks which will have a "tip of the week" about speeding up play. And in case you hadn't noticed, the search time for a lost ball is now THREE minutes from the time you reach the area of the lost ball. A group in front of me a week or two ago must have been using an old sundial to time this as their three minutes was five on my watch.
Patrick Lockie
Captain
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