Golf myth: Call-up holes speed up play
As the time to play a round of golf gets longer and longer, GOLF Magazine have a nice little spotlight on slow play and they’ve commented on those nasty little call-up holes.
In the July issue of GOLF Magazine, there is a close look at the problem of slow play including a report on the slow players on the PGA Tour, a historical look at how the speed of play as evolved and a few comments on myths concerning slow golf.
A pet hate of mine is call-up holes. The idea that it can speed up play makes no sense and GOLF Magazine staff writer Josh Sens has also taken a swipe at them;
Myth: You should “wave up” the group behind you on a backed-up par-3Reality: “The wave-up only slows play even more,” says pace guru Bill Yates. “In fact, the groups are now physically closer to one another, and, ironically, even more congested than before.” Worse yet, Yates says, the groups are brought within close proximity of one another, which can create tension.
The story also spotlights the fastest and slowest players on the PGA Tour as measured in a recent study of a sample of players. The study reported that pros averaged 107 seconds between shots, while everyday players averaged 90 seconds.
The full article should be in the July edition of GOLF Magazine.
Slow players can be frustrating and put you off your game, but I agree that the ‘wave up’ slows play even further. The thing that really annoys me out on the course is when players don’t play their practice swings when they are waiting for other players to have their shot. It is such a simple way to speed up play and so many don’t do it
I think this is depends on the situation. If the players in front are waiting on the tee still, then you should ‘call up’ the players behind. You can’t progress further so it only help to ensure play behind keeps moving. This actually goes beyond just short par 3 holes. If my group is waiting on the fairway for the players in front to finish on the green, we will ‘call up’ the players behind whilst waiting. This helps to alleviate a road block behind. If the players in front have already cleared the green or tee in front, then you must proceed with play otherwise it does create slower play.
Slow play? if you want a fast game go play basketball or something. Why not enjoy your time on the course, with friends, playing the golf we love. Everyone these days are in a hurry to get no where. Slow down and enjoy.
I don’t agree AGQ. When you say “play keeps moving” all that happens is the group behind plays while the one in front stops.
It may feel like play is moving on, but in truth, it just means you wait more on the next hole and doesn’t clear the road block behind at all.
Call up holes do speed up play when it is consistently applied on long par 3s.
It works because while one group is making the long walk up to the green the group already on the green can finish putting.
Once that group gets to the green they call up the next group and so on.
However it must be consistently applied by each group otherwise gaps will open up between groups.
The message we need to get out there is for everyone to do it on the long par 3s.
A can’t agree Anon. The group behind does walk up the hole while the others putt out. BUT, they are then that much closer on the next hole…meaning a longer wait ensues.
If it is to speed up play, it needs to speed up the overall round, not just the apparent increase in speed on that particular hole.
Also if the called through players hit the green and then you have to mark their ball too before you can finish the hole it can be a pain in the arse.