Many golfers try to establish a rhythm when they play. This playing tempo drives virtually all aspects of their game and if done properly can lead to some great golf scores. If rushed then disaster can ensue. It is a matter of control, but sometimes when I play I get caught up trying to play fast, my whole processes fly out the window. The next thing I know 14 holes are over and I cannot seem to slow myself down enough to even line up a shot. It really is a challenge sometimes not to rush past the enjoyment of the round.
There are many causes that result in a rushed golf shot. Many result from mental inattention to what is going on during the round, but there is one thing that happens that causes me more challenges than all the others. It is making two great shots in a row. Yup, being very successful has its disadvantages.
What happens to my game when I hit a string of great shots is that I get excited. This is when I breakdown mentally. I get caught up thinking about my next great shot and stop doing the processes that led to the great shots.
I stop my pre-shot routines, taking time to line up properly, and even rush my processes on the green. Unfortunately, I do not realize I am speeding my game up because it is happening slowly. I am walking faster and selecting clubs before I should. I am hitting before I am set and all heck breaks loose! I am officially rushing my golf shots to the detriment of my golf score.
I would imagine there are as many reasons why golfers rush their shots. There is no specifics to this challenge and it is unique to each golfer. Rushing golf shots is a fundamental error for many golfers. For me, having developed and proven shot processes is the key to not rushing my game. I just need to stay aware that my success can lead to challenges if I let my emotions run amuck.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
The total time paying a round of golf varies. It is anywhere from 3:15 to 3:45 minutes. It depends on how many golf balls are lost.
Mike
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Mike, you are not even close to being slow. Play your game and score well!
Cheers Jim
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Jim: Like I said before, I will not speed up play as long as my group is not backing up players behind us. 99% of the time my group is in the spot we are supposed to be in. The course I play is not long by any stretch of the imagination (6700) yards. The slope is 119 so it is moderately difficult. I strive to complete the round in less than 4 hours.
Some times I to get upset because the group in front of us is extremely slow.
Most of the new players get upset because we will not let them play through.
This is due to the snow ball affect. The players four or five groups in front of my
group have the whole course backed up. These golfers are of the mentality that
they paid there money, I can golf as fast as I want. No etiquette in their rule book.
Mike
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I like this question. It made me think. It’s not just about being quick in the swing. It’s about being quick in the decision making process. How often does a shot look so easy to us that we fail to consider the possible hazards? How many strokes a year could we save by simply not taking those shots for granted?
I know I’m certainly guilty of sometimes not giving any thought to hazards when the shot seems a simple enough one to make. We all make mistakes and knowing that, I should be more careful in my choices on those shots. Sure I execute a lot of them well enough, but the few I don’t that found those hazards all incurred strokes I gave away needlessly.
I too like to play fast. And I like to be decisive. I think it helps my confidence. But I could use more work on the mental side to keep from rushing decisions at times.
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Kevin,
I like you response. You are right that my question has nothing to do with my swing, but all about mental processes and taking the time for proper course management. If I am in the proper zone, it all fits and feels natural. Each player has to find their own groove.
Cheers Jim
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I too have had the same problem but in reverse. It seems that I spend to much time over the ball. I am not a slow golfer by many standards. My problem is that I tend to over – think the shot sometimes. I have a normal time on my drive but tend to slow down on my second, or approach shots. I have to some times walk away from the ball and start all over again. This some times upsets the people I play with.
I really slow down when I’m on the green. This slowing down on the green has helped my game considerably. I will speed up if I see that we are backing up players behind us. I refuse to speed up to make my four some happy. I don’t do this on purpose. Most of the time it still takes 10 minutes to play an average par
four.
Seems like you are damed either way.
Stay warm
Mike
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Mike,
I understand what you are saying. I would ask: on average, how long does it take to play 18 holes? There is a big difference between slow and methodical. Many people get that confused. If you are keeping up with the group ahead, then take as much time as you like because you are in the proper position. If you are a hole or two behind, then it is time to speed up to close the gap. During tournaments, I am more methodical than normal, but I ensure we are never out of position because of my processes. That is how I gauge speed of play. If we are the first group out, anything under 4 hours is perfect for me.
Cheers Jim
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