Slow players

If there are players taking the piss with how long they are taking infront of you, what should you do? I know you'd like to rap a club round their neck but is it allowed to have a word?

Me n my bro went to the course today and there was some sort of event on the full course and we went on the par 3. As we arrived there was a young boy on the first hole with a women who seemed to be giving him instruction for every shot. Then btt we got to the tee there was a four ball on the hole and a 4 ball infront of us waiting. The four-ball infront of us was 4 50+ year old ladies who were all really poor players which I don't mind but they were taking so long it was a joke.

On a couple of holes they took 20 mins and these are par 3 holes. It was like they'd all hit a poor shot that went about 50-100 yards then they'd all walk to their balls and stand waiting for the away player to play and all 4 took several practice swings before hitting another terrible shot and then they took 10 mins on the green doing god knows what. They'd walk off the hole and then the 2 of us would play and we'd finish and they hadn't even finished their tee shots.

I must have smoked 10 ciggy's on the first 9 holes waiting for em.

Is this just something you have to put up with sometimes or can you tell em off?

Was a tough round today. Waiting ages, boiling hot and really bad wind. The wind was 2-clubs (as in if the wind is behind you hit it 2 clubs further n vice versa). I had some bad luck too, I over hit a green by a couple of yards due to the wind and it bounced on a grate and flew about 15 foot into the air and into some really bad rough and I lost it.

First, if there wasn't a clear hole ahead of them, what does it matter if you have to wait?

That said, (and assuming there WAS a clear hole ahead):

I would say it depends on how diplomatic you are. Some golfers (particularily bad ones) have no idea what etiquette is, or how it works. You may have to catch up to them, to ask to play through.

The other thing I've done if I'm behind particularily slow players (and at my home course) is simply to pickup, and cut in front.

I can't stand slow play but you have the following options if this happens:

- Depending on the type of person in front of you, politely tell them that you are in a hurry and would like to play through

- Find a ranger and ask him to tell the players to speed it up or let you play through

- Play the previous hole over and over and over (if there's noone behind)

- Yell, "Ta-ta-ta-today junior" or various profanities

- Jump up and down waving your arms profusely, or give them a death stare with a facial expression like, "what the heck do you think you're doing slowing me up like this you idiot?"

- Hit a line drive in the back of the slow player (be prepared to put up your dukes though)

- Bring a portable TV/MP3 Player/Game Device to kill the time

- Drink alot

Hope this helps.

I normally give them a death stare. If that doesn't work I take my shot and hit one right at them and yell FORE! A few times I ALMOST hit heads but it works in speeding up the game.

As we arrived at the first tee there was another 4-ball infront of them and what looked like a single player but slow (being coached) infront of them so we didn't bother asking to jump infront of them in the que but after about 3 holes these 4 were sooo slow the others were miles off infront. They only played the front 9 thank god and on the back 9 we didn't see anybody infront of us and you can see most of the holes as you go around and we played pretty quick.

It can be extremely frustrating waiting on slow players. The wait can hinder your game as a matter of fact - you'll lose your swing groove and your muscles will cool down. It's a good idea to keep active and do practise swings while waiting.

It is best to keep your mind off it if playing behind slow players. Have a game of cut throat: http://golf.about.com/od/golfterms/g..._cutthroat.htm or two on the tee. This is usually good to help me from wanting to drive my ball through the group ahead...

I too hate slow play, but I can't believe anyone would intentionally hit in to someone. You could kill the person, the person might kill you or sue you.

I thought that in Europe a handicap/license card was required, so that those allowed on the course would not be beginners. Has that changed?

The safest way to speed up play is use your cell phone and call the pro shop. Have someone from the pro shop talk to the offendors. If the pro shop doesn't respond, golf somewhere else. Most course managers realize that slow play is a detriment to their bottom line, as less rounds can be sold.

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Imagine how boring golf would be if every shot resulted in a hole in one. Perfection is over rated.