A real pet peeve of mine lately has been pace of play. I am playing in the NJ chapter of The Golf Channel Amateur Tour (GCAT) and after 5 events, I haven’t played a round in less than 5 and a half hours (FULL DISCLOSURE – I help the local Tournament Director set up the event in return for a break on the entry fees). I always am in one of the group’s final pairings, so I don’t expect to sprint around the course, but that is really no excuse.
Pace of play has always been a hot button issue, especially in the crowded NY/NJ metro area and medal play is certainly the most time consuming format. Some other chapters of the GCAT, most notably the Long Island tour, have adopted their own set of rules in an attempt to combat poor pace – they play any lost ball, OB or otherwise as a lateral hazard. Some would say that's not such a great idea (like the USGA – see Rule 1-3), and by all accounts their rounds are 6 hours long anyway.
Slow play is caused by two things: a) a lack of common sense, and b) lack of knowledge about the Rules. Unfortunately, short of mass lobotomies, there is no cure for a; players will continually leave their carts out of position, mark 18 inch putts, and generally stand around instead of playing ready golf.
But b is another matter entirely. Now I am not suggesting we all run out and sign up for a rules seminar, but having a basic knowledge of how to proceed when faced with routine situations would definitely speed things up. When to hit a provisional ball, how to take relief from casual water or a cart path, and the options available when your ball is in a lateral or water hazard are simple, straightforward rules scenarios that face a player at some point in almost every round, yet I am constantly amazed at how few actually know how to proceed.
The Rules of Golf are very complex - hell, even the governing bodies don't always get it right - but anyone serious enough about the game to enter a tournament, whether it is the state amateur, club championship or the GCAT should have a grasp of the basics mentioned above.
The USGA does a great job with the rules on their website. The Rules are presented alongside the associated Decisions, and there are also animations and videos highlighting the basics. If you want to be considered a 'player', you have to know the rules.
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