Pick Up the Pace

 

The course where I was Assistant Pro in Kansas City was short, 5,600 yards from the tips. Because of this, the pace of play was usually pretty good. It was pretty standard for players to play 18 holes in 3 hours, and we even had many who played quicker than that. However, we still had people who would complain about having to wait, thinking their rounds were taking too long. Slow play is a hot-button issue in the world of golf today, but never fear! I have the answer to solving all the slow play issues in the world for amateur golf (please hold your applause until the end of the blog). Are you ready? To pick up the pace, play a scramble. 

I know, I know. Scrambles don’t let you always play your own ball. Scrambles don’t allow you to post a score toward your handicap. Scrambles might hurt your ego because you don’t take all of your amazing shots. But here’s what scrambles don’t do. Scrambles don’t make you chase two (or three or four) balls all over the course. Scrambles don't have to wait around for everyone to read their own putts...and then wait some more while everyone three-putts (even though that never happens, right?). Scrambles don't drop your buddy off at his ball with a club, drive to your ball, then have to drive back to him because he grabbed the wrong club or hit his ball OB and needs another (that never happens either, does it?). Do you get my point? Scrambles help to speed up the pace of play. The fact that you take the best shot of the team means less time spent waiting and more time hitting shots. You spend less time reading putts and more time hitting putts. Scrambles play faster; that's just how it is. If you are frustrated playing slow rounds of golf, mix it up and scramble with your buddies. 

Playing a scramble from time to time is about more than just the pace of play though. Some of my favorite golfing memories are playing two-man scramble match play rounds with my brothers and my dad. We had tons of fun, and I wish we could still play that kind of golf every week. For some reason, the level of competition and seriousness drops when you play a scramble with your buddies. I can't tell you how many times we would stand over a shot and hit a “safe” one, then try some crazy, impossible shot just because we could. There is less pressure when you know you’ve got a teammate or two who has a shot before or after you, and that allows you to think less about your game and more about having fun. And isn’t that what it’s really all about? Who golfs for any other reason than to have fun (tour pros excluded)? So, next time you’re out with your buddies for a weekend round, consider scrambling. I promise you’ll have more fun and you’ll pick up the pace.