Bucketsofjoy
Well-known member
Admitted skimmer here, but I like the original questions.
I don't think it is really hurting the game, or at least not nearly to the extent it is discussed. Golf has a habit of constant "growth" discussions (Hey, this is fun, why isn't EVERYONE doing it?!) but I think think often we create, or at least exaggerate problems for the sake of continuing the discussion. Its not fun to get stuck behind someone going slower than you are - especially when its easy to see how they're wasting time. Its kind of like interstate driving, anyone going slower than you is an idiot and anyone going faster than you is a moron. People definitely need to be more aware and considerate on the golf course regarding their pace and the pace of other players, there's no doubt about that - but there's also a large group of people who need to lighten up. Sometimes slowing down isn't a bad thing.
I think a lot of us are mad about pace of play because we're told to by the "keepers of the take." We see discussions about JB Holmes slow playing someone on the 18th or Jason Day going through a 5 minute meditation cycle every time he hits a tee shot and all of the sudden I realize this idiot in front of me is the sole reason I didn't have an absolute blast of a round and shoot a PB. We need an easy answer to "why aren't more people playing golf" and slow play seems to be a good way to blame every other golfer on the planet apart from yourself (have you ever met someone who says they're a slow player?).
I think the discussion does need to change course to be "what can golf offer someone who doesn't have time to play an 18 hole round?"
I don't think it is really hurting the game, or at least not nearly to the extent it is discussed. Golf has a habit of constant "growth" discussions (Hey, this is fun, why isn't EVERYONE doing it?!) but I think think often we create, or at least exaggerate problems for the sake of continuing the discussion. Its not fun to get stuck behind someone going slower than you are - especially when its easy to see how they're wasting time. Its kind of like interstate driving, anyone going slower than you is an idiot and anyone going faster than you is a moron. People definitely need to be more aware and considerate on the golf course regarding their pace and the pace of other players, there's no doubt about that - but there's also a large group of people who need to lighten up. Sometimes slowing down isn't a bad thing.
I think a lot of us are mad about pace of play because we're told to by the "keepers of the take." We see discussions about JB Holmes slow playing someone on the 18th or Jason Day going through a 5 minute meditation cycle every time he hits a tee shot and all of the sudden I realize this idiot in front of me is the sole reason I didn't have an absolute blast of a round and shoot a PB. We need an easy answer to "why aren't more people playing golf" and slow play seems to be a good way to blame every other golfer on the planet apart from yourself (have you ever met someone who says they're a slow player?).
I think the discussion does need to change course to be "what can golf offer someone who doesn't have time to play an 18 hole round?"