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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1998-06-24, Page 1414 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, JUNE 24, 1998 The number one complaint on course and the bane of golf...slow play The longest day of the year! Ah, yes, but you don't want to spend all of it on the golf course! That's why I have decided to address the bane of golf, slow play. It is the most frustrating aspect of golf, the number one turn off in the game. 'and the number one complaint faced by most golf course operators. It is also one of thc most misunderstood parts of the game. Hopefully this -week we'll clear up some of the misconceptions regarding slow play on the -golf course. • People want to play golf and that is why they visit a course. As long as they are playing m.ost people are perfectly happy on the golf course. What they don't like is •waiting to play golf, whether the wait is on the first tee, other tees, or in the middle of the fairways. As long as the . round of golf is fluid and the golfer is movi-ng. most golfers view it as a positive experience. It's the waiting to begin play, the waiting to hit shots, and the waiting to get to the next hole that annoys most golfers. Golf courses are all different - in their length, degree of difficulty, number of players. type of clientele etc. Every golf course operator can make some positive adjustments to help the golfer reduce the amount of waiting on the course and every golfercan assist in this endeavour. Many golf courses send the players 'out in groups every six or seven minutes with the idea that you can get more golfers out on the .course each hour of the day and therefore make more money. The problem is that the groups end up 'so close together that as soon as one group gets into the least bit of difficulty such as losing a' hall or having. trouble. putting, the whole course gets hacked up. Sometimes thc course ends up so backed up that the tee times arc completely useless because the first tee is just a huge crowd of disgruntled golfers who haven't even hit a bad shot yet. The hest way to alleviate this problem is to. lengthen the time hetwecn groups. Nine or ten s+l, ' VThe Tartan Chameleon Golf Notesh by C.A. Doig minutes between tee -times results in far fewer hold ups, an easier job for. the starter, happier golfers, and returning customers. Surprisingly most courses who try this find out that they arc not reducing the amount of play at all. The course should have a starter on busy days to assist the golfers in getting -on to the course on time. The starter can also be very valuable to thc players before they begin play by regrouping pairs and singles into foursomes to keep the - pace of play consistent. The starter can also offer information to players new to the course by suggesting that the player not be long on the first hole, or stay to the left on the third. etc. I remember playing a course in New England last fall where the starter warned me, "On this course long is gone." That starter saved me a lot of shots that day as well as possible lost balls and helped me enjoy a Netter score. The starter may also suggest that the player, if a beginner. use the forward tees to speed up the game and make it a more enjoyable experience for all. Many score cads now suggest which tee is most suitable to your game based on your handicap index. Other things that can be done at the course level to keep the pace of play going include keeping the rough a big shorter. designing the course with varied tees aimed,at varied skill levels, putting thc holes in "friendly" positions on busy days, providing accurate yardage markers, well marked hazards,' informati ve score cards highlighting local rules and problem areas, and simply having good signage to the course as well as to the proshop. first tee. etc. Mike and Chris Marion scored holes -in -one the same day. HILGENDORFF PHOTO If the course has good signage so that you can find the place. adequate parking close to the clubhouse and first tee, sets up the tee - times a reasonable time apart, and puts a starter on the first tee to help organize the groups, the job of the player is to arrive at the first tee in plenty of time. The tee time actually means that the first player in the group should have their tee ball in the air at the time indicated as their starting time. If you time is 8:52 you shouldn't by pulling into the parking_ lot at 8:50. Now imagine this lecture coming from one of the notoriously late Doigs: Do your best to get to the tee at -least fifteen minutes before your time. The starter likes to have a group on the tee and another on deck. Who knows. if the group before you is late, you may be able to get out on the course on their time. Be honest about your skill level. Choose the tees that hest suit your ability. You will enjoy the game far more. Be ready when it's your turn. Walk 'at a good pace. Keep your eye on your ball (and your playing partner's hall) to save time looking. Most golfershang their head. in disgust when a bad shot is hit, but that's the ball you need to keep an eye on so that you can find it in the rough or trees. Take some lessons. work on your game a bit and the pace of your play will improve. Remember to wave faster Mixed ladies pair off on greens ' The Scaforth Lawn Bowling Club held a mixed ladies pairs tournament at the Scaforth Greens on Saturday. Business sponsorship helps keep the club viable and meet expenses. Eleven greens were in play and top winners were: Lee Ryan and Carol Carter of the home club with 3w+46+7; second went to Marjorie Leslie and Marilyn Lancaster of St. Marys with 3w+42; third was Brad Fleming and Bev Lawn bowling Fritz of Chcsley with 3w+42: fourth was Kcn Chaputand partner of Lucknow 2w+39; fifth was Fred and Betty Tilley of Seaforth 2w+37; Brian Ranger and daughter Melissa of London Fairmont were 6th with w2+36+5; Jack and Audrey McDonald of Lucknow won 7th with 2w+36+2: consolation prize went to Brian Fowler and partner of London Fairmont. • In ladies pairs at Atwood last week Carol Carter and• Edna Bell placed third. Coming up this week is the mixed pairs at Atwood on Tuesday; Men's Pairs in Clinton on Wednesday and ladies pairs in Lucknow: ladies pairs in Stratford Thursday with optional singles in Goderich Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. GIANT WAREHOUSE CLOTHING SALE! ALL MERCHANDISE (Whitt• quantities last) - THOUSANDS OF BRAND NAME ITEMS AT INCREDIBLE PRICES! Hundreds Of Bargain:, Like These... SAVE SAVE 61% Women's and 65% Men's Brooks .' Women's Brand Shoes • Denim Jeans Req 539 99 Reg $69 99 t40W S14. •Brooks •Converse •Northstar •Keds •Wonder Bra •Daisy Fresh •L.A. Gear SAVE Men'sGoff Shins Reg $39 99 Hour s9• TELL YOUR FRIENDS! Open to the public 2 DAYS ONLY!! Wednesday. June 24th and Thursday. June 25th (10 ant to 9 pm) DON'T MISS IT! N ro0od«a To I W,,ghem oowriro CANTON "WY. Se To Shallo„i -� tF OH LEOIOCUNTN HALL Located just minutes away at the Legion Hall 95 Kirk Street (between Highways 04 and 8) com in CLINTON givi players through especially if you're looking for a lost ball or are in some difficulty. Your position should be directly behind the group in front of you, not directly in front of the group behind you. Some of these things may help you understanding that even though golf is a game requiring several hours of your time, this time can be enjoyable and rewarding and not the cause of annoyance and frustration. Seaforth Golf Club News of the Week: It was an exciting finish to the US Open on the weekend. Results of the pool will be posted in the clubhouse. Men's Night was exciting with a father and son hole in one happening. Mike and Chris Marion each scored a hole in one on June 16. There was a successful Couple Night on Friday with about 25 couples taking part in a nine hole scramble. The match play event continues and a reminder to all interested to sign up for he Couples Invitation set for July 4. CANADA DAY Celebrations FIREWORKS —Sweatshirts- -T-Shirts Sweatshirts —TShirts --Flags- Mugs —. Keychains— & More — OPEN JULY I 11 AM -4 PM NIFTY KORNERS SEAFORTH 527-1660 Qmb that* "YOUR LOTTEr ,KET CENTRE" DEALER A.S.C. Church Services You are invited to attend these area churches St. Thomas Anglican Church 9 Jarvis St. Seaforth Rev. Robert Hiscox 482-7861 SundaJune 28th y Service of Holy Communion at 9:30 a.m - Flower Sunday - The United Churches invite you to meet at the Winthrop Ball Park for a Family Fun Days 1:00 m - Outdoor Worship P P (no 9:30 service at Cavan or 11 am service at Northside this week) 2:30 pm - Ball Game 5 - 7 pm - Pork Chop Barbecue (BBO tickets available at Nifty Comers or call 527.1307) Everyone Welcome First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W. Seaforth 11:1 S AM Nursery Provided June 28 Minister. Rev- Nicholas Vandermey Seaforth Community Church Rev. Hauser - 527-2253 11 am Service June 8 July at 146 Jarvis.St. S. Coming( • 2nd Annual Victoria Park Service 6:30 pm each Sunday in July. 'Words of Hope' a 24 hour recorded message for you to call 527.1499- Bethel Bible Church Meeting at Seaforth High 7:00 p.m. 10:00 Worship Evening Bible Study Small Group meetings Weekly An Associated Gospel Church St. James Catholic Church Victoria St., Seaforth Saturday - 5:15 pm Si James Pansh.-Seatorth Saturday - 7:15 pm • St. Joseph's Parish, Clinton • Sunday - 9700 am St. Michael's Parish. Blyth Sunday - 11:00. am St. James Parish. Seaforth Father Dino Salvador ENSALL !STRICT 0 -OPERATIVE SHU� Why Consider Other Dog Foods? FEED A HIGH QUALITY PRODUCT FROM A CANADIAN COMPANY BrrE SIZE DOG FOOD Complete and Balanced Certified by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Come in and see the staff at your Seaforth Do -It Center $9408 kg BAG irs g BAG NelffiltS VON IVO 41001tRialt. for your total auftmotive needs, whether it be sales or service, we're here to serve you. For our service department, Please call JOHN MUNRO 524-8347 or ..' ` 1-888-344-4486 SUNC•AST