I won’t disagree with the slow downs because of those rulings. However, back to my USGA example, I have an obligation to pick up the pace as much as I can post that ruling happening. That is the part that seems to not happen, at least from an outside viewer/observer depending if I’m going or watching on TV.
As much as the various tours say they want faster rounds, it also means they get to sell more advertising when people take longer. It’s very much them talking out of both sides of their mouth.
Sure. But the real problem is split tees. If the golf were a line this isn’t an issue. With split tees, it’s a circle and a traffic nightmare. Public courses I play that do split tees are routinely 5 hour rounds. Tour pros making that 5:30 is reasonable.
Until the dreaded second opinion is asked for and then the rover 3 holes over gets called in.
The U.S. Open used to do an official with every group but stopped because it wasn’t sustainable. I think the British Open is the only big event that still does it.
It absolutely takes the whole of the membership and the pros being sure people understand the expectations.
Longest round last year at the club was 4:15 late on a Saturday afternoon when it was more about having a bunch of fun with buddies than worrying about pace.
It’s funny, split tees were created to prevent the car crash in the morning ruining a whole day off a single tee. Now it just ruins one of the waves instead.
At the end of the day 156 players, playing a 7000+ yard course, all having to get the ball in the hole, is too many golfers. I view that as a different discussion than how the tour makes decisions with managing traffic but it’s still true.
Take a salary and never see their families since the Tour basically never stops. The LPGA posts job openings for Rules Officials on an annual basis because it’s not fun to travel for 80% of your year.
“You going to be home for your son’s birthday? Nope, gotta fly to Memphis in August, I haven’t had a day off in 6 months”
There are too many rules officials and rules delays as it is.
Pro golfers shouldn’t need anyone to tell them how to get relief from a cart path.
Now every foursome needs a babysitter? Cmon. Golf is interesting because you don’t have a ref breathing down your neck calling “fouls”. Don’t even try to make it like other sports.
Why not set a time limit on rulings too? You can ask for relief but if you can’t figure it out in 3 minutes you get a penalty shot AND have to play it as it lies.