Want to speed up play - Charge by the hour!

August 2, 2016

Hi, I’m Mel Sole, Director of Instruction at the Mel Sole Golf School, headquartered at Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club in Pawleys Island, SC. We conduct 1, 2, and 3-day golf schools, hourly golf lessons, and senior golf schools—any golf instruction program your heart desires. Give us a call at 800-624-4653 or 843-237-4993. We will be happy to book a commuter school or a package that contains accommodations, golf, and golf school.

Golf Blog by the Mel Sole Golf School.

Tired of playing those 5 to 6-hour rounds of golf? Well, you are not the only one! We all love to play. But we also have other things to do and would like to be off the course in a maximum of 4.5 hours. Preferably less. Such a solution? Charge by the hour! You'll very soon see players walking off the green quicker and playing ready golf so that they do not have to pay more than the group in front of them!

No more 6 hour rounds!

Want to speed up play - Charge by the hour!

I am so tired of hearing some players say, “I'll take all the time I want to golf. I've paid the full price and I don't wish to hurry.”

We each are entitled to enjoy the game at a pace that is not overly slow. Slow meaning a round that takes over 4 hours 30 minutes and sometimes up to 5 and 6 (ouch!) hours. I once played Pasatiempo in California. It took us 6 hours to play. I will never go back!

While some players are not ready to hit their shot, they play from tee boxes that are too long for them, they spend over 5 minutes looking for lost balls, and they take several practice swings.... the rest of us wait. And wait some more. Muscles start to cool down, limbs stiffen up and patience grows thin.

Ready Golf?

Most of us like a moderately paced round where each player is always ready to hit his/her shot and we aren't meandering as a group to the other player's balls.

We enjoy forward movement, but still have time for a little friendly conversation. Upon approaching the green, we are already reading the line of our putts. And we putt without making others wait as we walk around the green, plumb bob, etc.

You know you are playing too slow when you reach a new hole and the group of golfers ahead are leaving the green or are nowhere to be seen. If you won't speed up and you won't let the group behind you through, I would like to see a penalty fee assessed.

A New Way of Doing Things.

Upon checking in at the Pro Shop, everyone should be informed that the expected length of time for 18 holes is 4 hours and 15 minutes maximum. Your receipt should include a policy of the assessment of 10% of the original green fees, for every 15 minutes (or part thereof) you finish over that time! In other words, charge by the hour. You are paying for 4.5 hours of time on the course. If you dally longer, you have to pay more! The first group to lag behind pays the penalty, as long as the next groups come along in a timely fashion.

In Scotland and Ireland, there are plaques near the first holes of most courses which say “Expected pace of play to be 3 hours 50 minutes. Please respect your fellow players.

I do not think golfers need to 'hurry' to play just over 4 hours. But, it will get them thinking about being prepared and being ready to play when it's their shot, and overall, they should enjoy the game more.

Source: Mel Sole Golf School

Pictures: U.S. Army Secret in the Dirt

Thanks for reading - Want to speed up play - Charge by the hour!

Golf Blog by the Mel Sole Golf School.

No more 6 hour rounds!

Ready Golf?

A New Way of Doing Things.

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