Golf Extra 2006

Sick of standing there, watching the group ahead? Here's a thought.

By BOB HARIG
Published January 26, 2006

If the St. Petersburg Times had a golf course, the game would be played in less than four hours and customers would finish on time.

After all, we're all about deadlines, right?

Here's how we would do it:

In an effort to be known as a place where golfers did not have to spend all day on the course, we would offer an incentive directly tied to their wallet: For any group that completes its round in four hours or less, each member would receive a $5 credit in the restaurant/bar.

The idea is to create peer pressure, be aware of how fast or slow you are playing and take steps to make sure you finish on time.

What about the group ahead that is playing slow and holding everyone up?

We've got a plan for that, too.

Before teeing off, all golfers would be informed of our fast-play policy and the rewards for finishing in four hours.

But it would also be made clear that those groups who have not hit their tee shots on the fifth hole one hour into their round will get a warning. If they have not completed nine holes in two hours, they will be asked to leave and be given a refund for nine holes. That would create space for the following groups to complete their rounds on time.

Harsh? Perhaps. Scaring away customers? Quite the contrary.

The idea is to make the course famous for fast play. That way, those who are discouraged from playing because they feel it takes too long would be more apt to show up. It would gain a reputation as a place where you could get a round in before noon. And those who are too slow? Well, we prefer they not come and take up everybody else's time.

There are some other changes we'd have to make, too. We would set our tee times at least eight minutes apart to provide adequate spacing. On busy days we would set up our course a tad easier to help players get around. And we would promote fast play with education, trying to teach players ways to keep moving.

For example, in casual rounds of golf we would encourage gimmes and discourage mulligans. We would suggest putting the ball in your pocket when your score doubles par on a hole. And no matter the circumstances, we would always preach "ready" golf. One day a week we would allow only twosomes to tee off between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. On that day a player would know he probably could get in 18 holes in less than three hours.

Another day of the week we would allow "foursomes" only. It's an alternate-shot format popular in Europe and is a great way for a group to play a match, two vs. two. With only two balls in play (each member of the team alternates shots until the ball is holed) it is a quick and fun way to play, although you don't get to keep your own score.

Okay, so not everybody is going to enjoy those formats, and not everybody is going to enjoy the feeling that they are being rushed.

That's fine.

We figure there are enough golfers out there who want to play fast.

Golf is not a sprint - it is to be enjoyed. But too many players get frustrated with the length of a round. This might even mean a few start playing more frequently.

[Last modified January 26, 2006, 01:02:16]