Have a Play for Slow Play |
Strategies for staying prepared to play
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| by Jeff Troesch |
One of the major distractions for many
competitive players is related to either slow
play and/or delays during a round of golf.
There are times when inclement weather
creates a delay at the first tee or causes a
stoppage of play in the middle of the round.
As well, slow play can cause a back up on the
first tee or on any successive shot
throughout the course. This is a recurring
reality for most golfers, yet few golfers
have a clear plan on how to manage themselves
and their time when confronted with a delay.
Wise golfers are prepared for a delay and
have a set plan for what to think, what to
do, and how to keep their mind and body in
the optimal state so that they are prepared
to play once it is their turn to hit the next
golf shot.
Here are some tips and some suggestions:
1. Recognize that the pace of play in
front of you and/or the weather are
completely out of your control. With the
exception of notifying a marshal or rules
official to monitor the slow players, there
is absolutely nothing that you can do about
it other than make a choice about how you
will respond.
2. Make sure you keep your body loose
during the delay. This strategy will require
adjustments depending on the length of the
delay. If it is only a few short minutes,
then making sure that you swing a club a few
times before it is your turn to go may be
enough. If the delay is of greater length,
say a three-group wait on a par 3 tee box, it
may make sense for you to get off your feet
for ten or 15 minutes and then start a light
stretch and body warm up just in advance of
your group being on the tee.
3. Mentally, recognize that there is
nothing you can do about the delay. Employ
the strategy that works best for you. Some
like to chat with their playing partners.
Others prefer to go off by themselves and
have some quiet time with their eyes closed
or observing their surroundings. Still
others like to do some imagery and
visualization exercises as they play the
holes in front of them in their mind. One of
the tour players with whom I work actually
puts a book in her bag so that she can read
during delays. It works for her!
Make sure you have a strategy thought out in
advance, and stick to your plan so that you
can create the best internal and physical
environment so that you are sharp and ready
to hit a quality shot when it is your turn.
Remember that YOU are in control of how you
react when you face a delay on the course!
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