Director of Golf Operations

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF GOLF OPERATIONS

PACE OF PLAY

Jeff Hochman

Director of Golf Operations

It is amazing on how many times you can be watching the Golf Channel or reading a golf magazine and they are always talking about the grip. They do this because it is a very important part of a sound golf swing. Although this article does not talk about the grip, it does talk about something equally as important; Pace of Play on the golf course. I continually talk and write about it because it is a very important part of a successful golf operation and helps everyone enjoy the game that much more.

Staff has tried many ways to help improve the pace of play over the years. We have added pin locations on each scorecard, added yardage markers on Cimarron, put up pace of play clocks, tried yardage books to help you get your yardage quicker, moved the cart path closer to the green on Cimarron #7, added combo tees, put laser reflectors on the top of the flag sticks along with many other items. Some have worked and some have not. All of these alone will not do much but if you combine some of them together it can do a lot. The one thing that it is missing is your help. Everyone can do his or her part to keep the pace of play moving. You can play the correct set of tees for your ability (you should be able to reach the green in regulation from the set of tees you are playing), always be ready to hit when it is your turn and always keep up with the group in front of you (don’t worry about the group behind you). If you keep up with the group in front of you, you are doing your job. Too many times a group does not keep up with the group in front of them and they are not holding up the group behind them. When they are approached by the player assistants, their response is, “We are not holding anyone up.” This is when the pace of play problem starts. There starts to be too many gaps on the course. Again, your responsibility is to keep up with the group in front of you no matter what the groups behind you are doing.

Everyone would be happy if every round of golf was played in about four hours. In order for this to happen, staff needs the earlier groups to play in about three hours and fortyfive minutes. As the course gets more and more players on it throughout the day, the pace of play will continue to get slower in the afternoon because of the amount of play. It is just like a freeway in rush hour traffic. If the early groups play in 4 hours, the rest of the day will be slower for everyone.

The player assistants on the courses have the responsibility to keep the pace of play moving. If your group is given two warnings and you have not improved your position on the course, the player assistants do have the authority to move your group up to the group in front of you and I will completely support their actions. We do not want to do this and hope not to but there are times when it is necessary. Please do not let this happen to you and play golf in four hours or less.

PACE OF PLAY TIPS

Continuous Putting

Once you start to putt, finish until you hole out Play Ready Golf

If you are ready to play and the other golfers are not, play your shot Play the Correct Set of Tees

Many golfers play the incorrect set of tees. A rule of thumb is to take your driver distance and multiply it by 25. That is the approximate total yardage you should play. Pick the tee box that comes close to that number.

Yardage Devices

Everyone does not need to use their device on the tee box. While someone is getting the yardage, you can be getting ready to hit. Keep Up with The Group in Front of You

Don’t worry about the group behind you. If you are not directly behind the group in front of you, you are out of position.