Re: Coping with a tortoise

Find a new playing partner


Chessbum...

Re: Coping with a tortoise

BDBL - I had a similar situation last month, but I was in a group of 3 and both the guys I was playing with were really slow (not quite as bad as the guy you were playing with but not far off). It was really frustrating - especially as it was also raining and at times I would leave my umbrella over my bag when we were on the greens and I was getting absolutely drenched waiting for these guys to putt. I ended up having a s**t round and simply made a mental note of never playing with these guys again!

I wouldn't mind if after spending ages over their shots/putts that they guys actually hit some decent shots but they didn't.

I don't seem to have offered you any advice hear but simply gone off on a rant of my own! Sorry. In answer to your question - yes my game does get affected by slow play (but particularly if after the slow, tedious preparation I don't see any end results). How should we deal with it? I have no idea.

Re: Coping with a tortoise

Get a phone with a web browser and read GTO.

Re: Coping with a tortoise

Get a box,fill it with straw and then stick him in it!

im with you brother he would absolutely do my swede in

Re: Coping with a tortoise

If your holding other players up and not maintaining your position on the course then you could say your group is playing to slow and needs to hurry up. Maybe this hint will make him play faster.

If you have to wait until he plays his second shot, don't walk to your ball straight away. Stand somewhere else, clean your shoes, do something. When he eventually plays, then walk upto your ball and do your routine. It doesn't do you any good if you have to think about a certain shot for a long time !

Re: Coping with a tortoise

Good luck with that.
I try not to play with these people.
You might try studying the greens while you wait or looking at the golf course plotting different strategies.
Or take a nap between his shots.

Re: Coping with a tortoise

His name isn't Fuyrk is it?

Re: Coping with a tortoise

Hey, I played with a guy like that recently. He was stood over the ball taking numerous practice swings then standing back to look at the target, then more swings, then change his club. This tortoise came wandering down the fairway and tripped him over.

I ran over to help him on his feet and asked what had happened, he replied "Don't know mate, it was all over so quickly"

Re: Coping with a tortoise

I like to play fast as well. I walk fast, talk fast and play fast. I have in the past been affected by slow play, in my group or in the one in front. I found that it is better not to pull your club until you are in preshot mode. I am still playing ready golf as I am at my ball with my bag, I have seen the lie and know the distance. I found I would psyche myself out if I assessed the lie, grabbed a club and took a few practice swings. I'd end up making a horrible shot in the end.

I often don't even watch the tortoise in question, I just grab an extra ball from my pocket and throw it about 6 inches in the air and catch it, this little task helps me stay focussed, when he/she has hit, I revert to preshot mode, assess the lie, grab my club, set up, one practice swing and then pull the trigger.

I wish "ready golf" was mandatory on all courses, i.e. everybody goes to their own ball and stands next to/behind it while the furthest away shoots. I have been behind groups who insist on everybody going to the first persons ball, watch them hit, then go find the second guys ball and on and on, takes forever. Grrrr.

Re: Coping with a tortoise

I truly believe that 18 holes could easily be played in 2 hours. Some might even be able to play in 1.5. It's the "Pro" mode everyone gets into that kills the time.

Re: Coping with a tortoise

Played yesterday with a guy who is beyond slow. Typical routine.

Has 3 / 4 practice swings away from ball
Takes stance and freezes for 30 seconds
Does a mininimum 6 slow takeways (first 4 inches)
Freezes again.
Does another 3 slow takeways
And go. His putting routine is much the same

I play with a group like that and I can’t take it. I spoke with them about it, I thought nicely, and they got really upset with me. I said when we slow down the course and the Marshall is following us, waiting on the Tee with us, and telling us to hurry up, I don’t enjoy the round – I rush (an I am a fast player to begin with) However, these guys don’t get it. With the Marshall telling them to hurry up – and standing right there they take forever to shoot. I find myself counting in my head how long it takes them – and a few time I wanted to utter “don’t rush” . I found myself some faster playing partners and I think the Marshalls in some instances have to be more aggressive – i.e., I warned you twice – pick up your ball and more on to the next hole – unfortunately, for some people, this is the only solution!
James

Re: Coping with a tortoise

Drink.

Heavily.


No?


OK, I like the suggestions made already, save the ones that say 'don't play with them' - only because at some point we all have to play with or get held up by someone who plays like that.

It is my observation that better players have solid preshot routines. So the first thing would be not to start your preshot routine until it's almost your shot (ie wait until the second set of slow takeaways before starting your routine). If your PSR involves identifying lie, considering conditions, etc as you approach your ball, either stay back of your ball (which would be tough) or perhaps examine your lie and evaluate conditions and then back off your ball. Eat the raspberries (now in season) or watch the group behind hit their approaches, or toss a ball, or twiddle your thumbs. Then when the time comes, you can breifly go over your lie and conditions, grab the proper club, and play. You could probably even pace (if you don't like to stand still for too long) and the turtle wouldn't likely notice - especially if they're THAT focused on their PSR.

The other observation I've made is that better golfers don't have lengthly PSRs. A practice swing or two, then step up and hit. Perhaps they have a quick takeaway check (à la old Weir), but even Weir's PSR is pretty quick - decide behind the ball a couple swings for feel, step up, half check, swing away. Perhaps more importantly, it seems better golfers don't 'freeze' over the ball.

Re: Coping with a tortoise

Hey Ben,

Don't eat those raspberries below waist height on a golf course.


Sorry guys, I will try to be more serious

Re: Coping with a tortoise

I agree with the above statements. Golfing with my father-in-law who is a tortoise golfer gets pretty frustrating. But thankfully he's getting better.

What I try to do is not pull the club until the last minute. If I do, I try to not swing it until it's my turn. Other wise I take a bunch of practice shots. And end up topping one 20 yards.

I think slow play is much more irritating when your walking than in a cart. In a cart it's nothing to sit there, throw a few back and just chill out.