Pace of play/course management/strategy question

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By Daniel Tramble

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  1. Daniel Tramble

    Daniel Tramble
    Dartmouth

    Hello TT Canada!

    I'll try to get to the point in my post (may be winded and looking for opinions) As handicap golfers who have different goals and objectives, we all play golf for different reasons. I work at a GC and play 100 plus rounds a year and practice regularly every week.

    Many of us take up golf and life gets in the way then we return to golf from what I've discovered. Me myself I returned to golf again in the pandemic (started golf at age 15 and am 53 currently). Ive recorded many stats in Golf canada for 5 years and had a handicap go from 14 to a 7.1 at best. It's a 8.4 currently. I have read many strategies on handicap reduction and worked hard on my swing in a trackman with lessons, and got fit for equipment and improved dispersion and keeping the ball in play. I am a 9 handicap golfer at my course off the white tees and want to improve.

    One strategy this year (from the book every shot counts- Mark Broadie- excellent book BTW) was as an amateur golfer to have "realistic expectations" for our handicaps. I have blown many a round this season not understanding realistic expectations vs result and as a result hung on to too much negative energy which I couldn't shake whole round (id compound and blow up every hole after that and aim to keep it under 90) I look to improve on this, this season. One example he suggests is the 10% rule which I was unaware of. eg: 150 yards fairway would be 10% green = 15 yards from flagstick (15 x 3) 45 feet from hole then work towards percentages on putting. (eliminate double bogeys and high numbers) Basically a strategy of 10% from 150,100,50 yards in if this makes sense. This method I've never heard and when I understood it it resonated with me big time.

    This being said I have learned to pace off putts in recreational rounds. I found it has helped take pressure off me in casual and tournament play. It has worked for me and want to continue on this path... As I want to improve. I had a week late this summer with all sub 80's rounds which for me is epic.

    Now here is my question... Is pacing off putts a "slow play" move??? because I have been told by mates I take it "too serious" I have around a 15-45 second routine doing this method? As well as deliberate pre shot routine for me this season has helped in less losing balls and improved my FIR & GIR percentages (improved GIR by 13% this last season) however pacing putts for me "gives me a game plan" on the greens if this makes sense.

    I am interested to hear peoples thoughts and opinions on this one. Always looking for ways to improve.

    Thank You Dan

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  2. Brad M

    Brad M

    Hi Dan, there are several more reasons for slow play other than pacing off putts. I play fast, but I always take my time for shots, and lining up putts. For me, I putt by feel so pacing off a putt gives me the lay of the land as well as an idea of speed. Your buddies are upset when you regularly knock in 20 ft putts because you paced it off and you have the correct speed.
  3. Daniel Tramble

    Daniel Tramble
    Dartmouth

    Brad

    HAHA . Yeah you are right. Putting is something that does not require major change to vs say a swing change. Every putt is a opportunity to shoot a better score... I look putts as a shot I have a chance on whereas I don't have to be built like Tiger LOL. My boss is the superintendent and I am the course mechanic/junior greenkeeper and he says I am a good putter but can be a slow player and I guess well I try my best to be quick but the whole point in playing golf is to try and play your best

    Glad I am not alone. Thanks for the opinion man. Hope your 26 season is amazing.
  4. Scott D

    Scott D
    Lethbridge,

    Have to agree with Brad M. Lots of reasons for slow play other than pacing off putts. 15-45 seconds for a putt in my estimation is not slow. If your pacing of putts keeps helping preventing 3 putts keep it up.
  5. Daniel Tramble

    Daniel Tramble
    Dartmouth

    Scott Yes I have it in my head this is helping me get the break and line more better compared to previous 100%
    Its a survival technique I discovered when my game was in the tank last year and took me out of the tank faster Kind od made me slow down and focus and concentrate on pace and break

    Thanks!
  6. James G

    James G
    Kitchener, Ontario, ON

    Slow play often is a result of amateurs standing around when its not their turn and not being ready to play. Including around the greens. Also, not bringing several club from the cart, and the obvious is not reading lining up putts when others aren't putting. Pacing is no issue unless its aim point for your 3rd putt at 4 feet lol.
    A putting trick that can help with long ones is this. On putting green look at the hole and toss a ball to it. Get a feel. then putt it. Do this as warm up.
    Then on course you take practice strokes looking at the hole, step in and putt to that spot in your mind. Can even practice a tossing motion while waiting for mates to putt or before practice strokes.
    Be super proud that you are out in front and mindful of slow play. That makes you a friend.
  7. Daniel Tramble

    Daniel Tramble
    Dartmouth

    James

    OMG My boss the superintendent he does this when we inspect the course every morning before play I have gotten better at tossing the ball to the hole He's told me this helps putting Mike was a 5 handicap when younger and still has game I will use the toss analogy when pitching or chipping onto the green and it works wonders for me You have some awesome points I am going to try to remember

    Thank you for the awesome reply!

    Dan
  8. Darius V

    Darius V
    Barrie, ON

    Hey Daniel... It is always good to try and improve and in golf that is a very difficult thing to do. It gets tougher and tougher the lower your handicap gets as there are fewer places to shave strokes. The green is typically the last hiding place for those extra strokes and pacing off putts is a great way to establish a really good feel for the distance, the break, and the speed (both up or down hill). My suggestion is to look and see if there are ways you can pick up pace elsewhere on the course so that the group you are with never feel like they are waiting. Like you, I also pace off my putts, but I also try to be one of the first on the green. That way I can mark my ball and pace off the distance as I walk to the pin and remove it if none of us want to keep it in. In my group, all of us want to see the putt from the other side, and that is also another great time to do double duty and pace off the putt as you walk to the other side :) Good luck to you and hopefully you can set a new low record for your index !
  9. Daniel Tramble

    Daniel Tramble
    Dartmouth

    Darius

    Awesome points yes I try to get to the green the first of the group unless someone is chipping on etc I will always try to mark my ball I guess i get set in routines a I have found them over the last year to be coping mechanisms for my mind reshot routines before hitting shots and committing to the choices I've made and accepting the outcome regardless so to speak

    As the handicap drops it shows you your true potential I think and when I shot 70's that week this summer I know I can do it more than not... and the pre shot routine is what helped me calm myself down

    From the responses, I am not slow I gather... I am just mindful of it

    Hope I can get back down to a 7 next season I finished a 8.4 which is still really good but we all play golf to hopefully get better

    Thank you for the reply
    Good luck in the 26 season

    Dan
  10. Rushy

    Rushy
    Grey County

    While pacing off putts isn’t necessarily the cause of slow play it can be a factor. If you can keep the whole routine consistently under 30 seconds it’s fine IMO but when it gets longer it just compounds over the round

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