Greetings Golfer,

The latest issue of GOLF WORLD is all about slow play. It’s mostly focused on the PGA Tour, but also on how Tour slow play affects recreational golf.

What’s hilarious, is that the article cites a 1965 GOLF DIGEST cover story headlined “Crisis in American Golf”, that’s all about slow play. Think about it – that was almost 50 years ago – not a lot of progress has been made on the Tour or with recreational golf. That’s because both controlling organizations – the PGA Tour and the PGA of America – don’t want to make anyone mad. That’s a pretty wimpy attitude. They’d rather make a lot of people angry than have to deal with a confrontational situation.

So, the Masters got “tough” and penalized a 14-year-old amateur from China for slow play… on the 17th hole! Really? Go after the big-name guys who are slow – there’s a ton of ‘em.

And golf courses need to enforce pace of play. Obviously this involves common sense – a quality not so common. For years, my Ranger meetings were all about the 3 C’s – Courtesy, Communication, and Common Sense. That pretty much handles every situation for a Ranger. But, I once had a Ranger who used to plant himself on the 17th hole… he never thought that hole 17 is a little late in the round to ranger people?

Why was he on #17? Because he didn’t like confrontations. Most of us don’t. But, some of us have a responsibility to keep play moving at a reasonable rate – the PGA Tour and PGA Club Pros have that responsibility.

If slow play wasn’t tolerated on Tour or on golf courses, GOLF WORLD could have articles about fast play. How about an article about the 3 C’s – Courtesy, Communication, and Common Sense?

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com