SLOW PLAY !!

Since last autumn the Committee has received an ever increasing number of complaints regarding slow play over the No 1 course, not just in qualifying Medals but also during general weekend play. The numbers are such that they cannot be ignored and measures will have to be introduced to improve the situation which if not addressed will only deteriorate further.

At last weekend’s Spring Meeting all competitors were advised that their round should take no more than three hours. Sadly, times ranged from 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 38 minutes with an average time of 3 hours 20 minutes, this on days when the weather could scarcely have been better and the rough well cut back.

Gullane Golf Club has a long tradition of two ball play be it foursomes or pairs and being known for playing all forms of golf at an acceptable pace. I know full well that we all wish this to continue long into the future. In an attempt to address the situation and after due and careful consideration please note that with immediate effect the Committee has introduced the undernoted target times for any round of golf which will be used as the benchmark for monitoring the speed of play.

Foursomes                            2 hours and 50 minutes

2 ball                                    3 hours

3 ball                                    3 hours and 20 minutes

4 ball                                    3 hours and 40 minutes

We have been gathering information on the start and finish times for Medals over No 1 and this will continue for at least the next two months for further analysis and review. We are therefore looking for everybody to work together as one big team to reduce the number of complaints regarding slow play.

Tips to help Speed of Play

1.             Provisional Ball - If you think you may have lost the ball or hit it out of bounds, immediately play a provisional ball, after informing your fellow competitors, as nearly as possible to the spot from which the original ball was last played. (Rules of Golf 27-2)

2.             Your Place on the Course - Keep up with the group in front at all times. Your place in the field is behind the group in front, not in front of the group behind. If you are looking for a ball wave the next group through immediately you see they are ready to play.

3.             Speed - If a group loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group.

4.             Course Management – At the green place your clubs near to where you will walk to the next tee and mark the scores at the tee while you wait for others in your group to drive. Keep up a good pace when walking between shots.

Pitch Marks

Our Greens are regarded as some of the finest in East Lothian and beyond. To assist our greenstaff to help keep them in top condition it is essential that any pitch marks are repaired as soon as possible. In accordance with the Rules of Golf you are allowed to repair any pitch marks on the green before putting.

 

J L Coutts - Captain