Pace of Play Tips: Dealing with Slow Play

By Jamie Faidley under Mental Game

If you normally play on a private course or in the early morning hours you might be fortunate enough to play your rounds of golf at your own pace.  It’s nice to never have to wait on the group in front of you or even the other players in your group.  However, if you play on a public course or enter into tournaments you are going to have to learn to adjust to different paces of play.

Every golfer has their own ideal pace.  Some like to play fast and others like to analyze every little thing before a shot.  There are going to be times where you are either paired up with players that are slower than you are or you will be behind a group that holds you up on the course.  If you let these frustrations get to you, it will affect your round and the final score that you post.  Here are a few tips to maintaining your composure and playing as well as you can when your pace of play is altered.

Positive Attitude

If you are playing golf, then more than likely you think it is fun (this is easy to forget after a string of bogeys).  You are probably playing with at least one of your friends.  If you have to wait between shots, enjoy the scenery, strike up a conversation, or do anything to fill the time.  Don’t get impatient, angry or annoyed as this can affect your tempo and result in poor shots.

Pre-Shot Routine

When it is your turn to hit the ball, make sure that you go through your pre-shot routine.  This gives you some time to bear down and concentrate when it’s your turn to play.  A pre-shot routine will take the same amount of time no matter how long you wait between shots, so this can get your mind into a groove of your ideal pace.

I know it can be difficult at times when you have long waits between shots.  Hopefully if you follow those two steps, it will be easier for you to make on-course adjustments when dealing with slow play.

Anxiety

One problem I see golfers run into when they are having to wait on the group in front of them is to start thinking about the group behind them.  You might get anxious because you are worried that the foursome playing behind you will think they are causing the course to get backed up.  You might start to rush through your routine instead of taking your time.

It’s important to realize that you do not have to take responsibility for the group in front of you, nor do you have to take responsibility for the other players in your group.  If you are a slow player, start analyzing your shots before it’s your turn to hit.  If you play at an appropriate pace, you have nothing to worry about.  If you get the opportunity, explain to the group behind you how you are having to wait on every shot if that would help you to relax.

Playing Through

Another time of stress is when the group in front of you allows you to play through.  Golfers tend to rush through their routines and shots in these situations so they can quickly get past the group generously allowing them to go through.  There is also the built up pressure of having additional people, most likely strangers at that, watching you hit your shots.

It’s important to relax in these situations.  Go through your routine and hit your shot just like you would any other.  The group knows you are faster than them, that’s why you are being allowed to play through.  As for the expectations of additional people watching, don’t give yourself too much credit.  They won’t remember your shot 10 minutes after you are gone.  They have their own problems to worry about.