We are good golfers who happen to be seniors.
PACE OF PLAY RESULTS FOR 2019
Pace of Play will be a continuing process for many years. There will always be a “slowest” group and a “slowest” round. Our goals are to keep those slowest groups below 4 hours 45 minutes and to have an average pace of play of about 4:30 across all courses, starts, and players.
- Tee groups and players playing at 4:30 or less are WONDERFUL!
- Tee groups that stay up with the group ahead (10 minutes or less separation) are GREAT!
- Tee groups that average 2:15 on each of front and back are ON TRACK!
- Tee groups that are running 15 minutes per hole or less are GETTING IT DONE!
- Slow groups are over 4:45 Pace AND are 15 minutes or more behind the group ahead (a hole empty ahead).
- If every slow group simply played 1 minute faster per hole, everyone would have a faster round, more fun and perhaps better scores!
Ready Golf is mostly eliminating time wasters between your golf shots. Faster travel to the balls, Better cart management. Watching (and remembering) shots to eliminate ball searches. Making your shots as soon as possible and safe – no “honors”, no “order”.
2019 RESULTS
Overall Pace of Play (POP) for 2019 over 10,000 rounds, all 18 hole divisions and courses was 4:31. It improved slightly over 2018 and a huge IMPROVEMENT over 2016 and earlier.
Pace in 2019 was especially challenging.
- Pace early in the season with wet and cold weather was slower than “normal”. Half of our slowest rounds were in April and early May and many of those were Path Only that slows pace by about 30 minutes. Several were also shotgun starts.
- Occasionally 1 or 2 slow groups playing early in a Tee Start held everyone back.
- With fewer shotgun starts and NO REVERSE SHOTGUNS we were able to improve pace as the season moved on.
- Challenging courses (long, blind shots, deep rough, hilly) especially when coupled with shotgun starts and wet or Path Only conditions.
- Being ready to play and staying aware are far more important than skill, age or physical capabilities in pace of play.
2019 had only 15% of events with average play of 4:45 of more, and over 1/2 of them were Shotgun starts and difficult courses.
All the data from 2018 – 2019 continues to show that an overwhelming majority of our members can and do play at pace between 4 and 4:30. All ages and physical and golf abilities have been playing quickly.
Unfortunately there is still a very small minority (less than 4%) of players and groups who are playing slower than our targets. Continued effort for these members and new members added for 2019 and beyond will be needed.
Each Division VP is the primary contact for his division’s Pace of Play. If you have issues or complaints especially about a slow group or player, please talk with your VP. In most cases the problems are known and action is already underway.
2020 Pace of Play Efforts
This will be a continuing process for many years. Efforts for 2020 and beyond
- Reduced Shotgun Starts and Complete elimination of Reverse Shotgun
- Continue and improve Pace Log measurements
- Continue member education and encouragement
- Improve Weekly Tournaments operations
For more details by course, division, start type and more see below.
