Opinion & Analysis
The grooming of slow play at the college level
By Greg Moore
GolfWRX Staff
This week, I spent two days at the Southern Highlands Collegiate Masters, a college tournament in Las Vegas with a field that includes some of the best college teams in the nation. I watched some of the world’s elite amateur players, many of whom will be trying to play golf at the next level, and let me tell you – I am concerned!
It’s not because of their talent, of course, but because the coaches of these players appear to be training them to be slow players. Actually, it’s more than that. It seemed to me that they are copying the style of some of the mindless robots who play at a PGA Tour level of slow play.
There were 15 teams of five players, meaning there were 75 players with in the field, plus a few individuals for a total of about 80. They couldn’t get around a golf course of moderate difficulty in what I feel is an acceptable pace of play. I say moderate difficulty because the course was set up very fairly for the first round.
While the host course, Southern Highlands Golf Club does have some challenging greens, the rough was very fair. The greens, while fast and a bit on the firm side, were not U.S. Open fast and firm. The yardage wasn’t even stretched to the max.
So there was no reason that this round should have taken more than 5.5 hours to complete. Why, you ask, did it? Range finders and coaches (including assistant coaches)! That’s why.
The coaches seem to consult certain players on just about every shot. Then there was the three-to-four looks with the range finder. They checked the wind, pulled a club, checked the yardage book, went through their pre-shot routine and stood over the shot for what seemed like forever before actually starting their swing.
There were even a few “Furyk balks,” where a few players looked like they were ready to go, but then backed off and started the whole pre-shot routine over again — with no audible or visual distraction to warrant backing off, I might add. Just the uncertainty that comes with not being 100 percent commited to their golf swing.
This didn’t just happen on par 3s holes, but even basic shots from the middle of the fairway.
Oh my God! Give me a break! Just get up to the ball and hit it within a reasonably acceptable timeframe. I’m not talking about rushing your shot but there’s no need for any more Ben Cranes in training to make their way out on Tour!
Be ready when it’s your turn, with your yardage already figured out. You’ve played a practice round for God’s sake, so it’s not like you’ve never seen the golf course.
Even if the wind has changed directions, you should have some idea on what club you’re going to hit by the time you get to your ball. Exact yardage should narrow the choice of club down to two clubs. Wind direction and lie will help you make the final decision.
Then hit the frickin’ ball.
Click here for more discussion in the “Junior/College Golf Talk” forum.
Greg Moore is the man behind the camera most of the time for GolfWRX, but this week he decided to lend us his talents behind the keyboard. Thanks, Greg!
You can follow Greg Moore on Twitter @gdm43pga for more.
This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.
I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.
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Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.
With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.
Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!
Club Junkie
Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast
The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.
Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.
If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.
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Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie
On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.
I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.
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tbomb
Sep 17, 2012 at 9:43 am
If you can’t play in an acceptable time frame, then you do not have the mental game to take it to the next level. You want to be 200% commited. Hit the range and know your swing. I forget who was asked, it was a modern day tour player/coach and the topic was Ben Hogan and what made Hogan so good. The answer was “Hogan knew his swing better then anyone else knew their swing”. Know your swing, know your game, pull the trigger and accept the results.
Kevin
Mar 17, 2012 at 8:11 pm
College Golfer:
It appears that the brainwashing of your coaches has taken hold, including College Coach who has already posted here. Generations of amateur and professional golfers before you were able to play under no less pressure at a much faster pace and, I dare say. at a much higher level with inferior equipment. Your response pretty much proves the point – young people these days seem to have an entitlement mentality when it comes to quite a lot of activities. You will take as much time as you think you need, and to heck with the rest of the world.
College athletics used to teach values such as fair play, hard work and sportsmanship. Now, its “I’ll take as long as I damn well please” because I want to “kill the competition”.
Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson, whose 100th birthdays are celebrated this year, and others like them played golf and worked their tails off just to put food on the table. And miraculously they could do it without endless preshot routines, sports psychologists or drivers the size of a Buick. Get over yourselves.
Greg has it exactly right. Hit the freakin’ ball.
College Golfer
Mar 12, 2012 at 7:39 pm
As a college golfer, I agree with College Coach. Many people have not had the opportunity to play college golf, so do not mistake yourselves into thinking that we are out there goofing off and having a good time. We are there to KILL OUR COMPETITION and to WIN. This means that we have to COMMIT TO EVERY SHOT BY 200% because there is absolutely no room for MISTAKES or ERRORS. There is a lot at stake for us, like a chance to play in the next tournament or, even more important, SCHOLARSHIPS. And, as many of you golfers know, golf is more of a mental sport than anything. So add what is at stake to the pressure put upon us by coaches, parents, and ourselves. Can you imagine how stressed we are during the whole tournament? No, I do not suppose you can imagine that. So please do not be so quick to judge us and cast your stones upon us when you probably have never played in a college golf tournament in your life. And if you still do not agree with me then DO NOT WATCH US PLAY or DO NOT SCHEDULE A TEE TIME WHEN YOU KNOW A COLLEGE TOURNAMENT WILL BE OCCURRING. Yes. It really is that simple.
Dan
Apr 27, 2013 at 8:04 am
To college golfer,
I hate to break it to you but college golf and stress shouldn’t be in the same sentence.
Dan, former college golfer
Marshal
Mar 12, 2012 at 1:24 pm
College Coach, let me just say that when those college kids get out and play on public courses, they will have to speed up their play. As a course marshal, I have to maintain pace of play. If a hole opens up in front of a group, I’ll ask them to pick the pace up. The second time I tell them to pick their ball up and go to the next tee. The third time I kick them off the course! 5-6 hr. rounds costs the courses money in fewer golfers, angry golfers and rounds not enjoyed. It’s simply not fair to the other golfers for people to plumb bob every single putt!! Play ready golf!!!!!!!!!
michael (take your pick)
Mar 12, 2012 at 1:08 am
well said! slow golfers are annoying especially when they over do it. not pro yet is the key point here. when you get there then maybe you can act like it, but for most just get your college degree and bounce…
killerbgolfer
Mar 11, 2012 at 11:43 am
We can not grow the game with the pace of play the way it is. Most amateurs, especially the young and up and coming, will base what they do off of what they see on tv. Most working people are lucky to play one day per week when they must balance that against all of life’s responsibilities. I am much more likely to enjoy my round if I know I don’t have to write the whole day off because the travel to the course, warm up, playing, and getting home takes 7-8 hours. A 4hr30min round is easy to accomplish if everyone is purposeful in their actions.
GameDayDog
Mar 10, 2012 at 11:34 pm
I am not a fan of slow play at my local course, yet I’m not playing under pressure where each stroke can cost me thousands of dollars.
I don’t think that television is complaining about slow play because it gives them more time to capture advertising dollars.
Regardless of the level of golf, it would be nice to see people playing ready golf.
twitter: @GameDayDog
College Coach
Mar 10, 2012 at 10:48 pm
Greg,
Let me first say that I appreciate all of the pictures from the tournaments. You do a great job. In response to your article on the college players and slow play, I had to say this. I am a PGA Professional and College Coach. I am one of the few that doesn’t push that hard against slow play in the competitive amateur/pro game for a few reasons. 1- the game of golf is a slow game, hitting before you are ready goes against what any sports psychologist will tell these players. 2- for the pros, this is their job, it’s not just fun and games for them, it’s their livelihood and their career. Lastly, it’s hard to argue with what the best players in the world do. I understand that 5 hour rounds are not ideal for the local golf course, but I don’t feel like it’s a huge matter that should concern us all that much in the pro game. If they have been that successful playing as they do, why try to speed them up?