There are dates and moments in a golfer’s life that will forever be etched in time. Mine arrived on : the day I learned I was a slow player.
It happened during a media day event at GrayBull, the seventh club within the Dormie Network – and the first built entirely from scratch. I was engaged in conversation after dinner with David McLay Kidd, the course’s architect, who had joined our group for a round earlier that day. That’s when the affable Scotsman delivered the news.
“You’re a player,” he told me. “You’ve got a good game. But you’re slow.”
I was still processing his initial compliment when the dreaded ‘S’ word surfaced. It brought my thoughts to an abrupt halt. I genuinely believed I wasn’t a slow player. I’d played with plenty of deliberate golfers over the years – those who waggled incessantly like Kevin Na or Brian Harman – but I was confident my pre-shot routine was efficient.
I also knew David preferred a brisk pace. In fact, the faster, the better seemed to be his mantra. Perhaps, I reasoned, I wasn’t slow by average standards, but only in comparison to his preferred speed.
“Well,” I began, “I’m methodical.”
“No,” came the response. “You’re slow.”
His explanation clarified everything. The time spent checking the wind, lasering distances to the flag, bunkers, and putting surfaces – all these things add up. So does club selection and assessing the lie. I had been taking too long with each step.
Over the years, I’d consciously made an effort to be mindful of my playing partners, avoiding any disruption during their swings. Apparently, I’d taken those good intentions too far. By waiting until it was my turn to begin assessing conditions and confirming yardages, I was imposing several minutes of delay on my group, even before I started my pre-shot routine.
David was right. The realization stung, but I knew how to address the issue. Fortunately, I had a rematch scheduled with the architect in less than a month.
On the evening of , David arrived at Tributary in Idaho. I had already completed a round with other members of the media, and during those 18 holes, I focused on getting a head start on the analytical aspects of my process. My intention was to have a club in hand, ready to begin my pre-shot routine as soon as it was my turn.
Over cigars that evening, the topic of my pace of play inevitably arose. (Knowing David’s penchant for good-natured ribbing, I was prepared.)
“Who played with this guy today?” he asked the group, pointing at me with a wry smile. “And how slow did he play?”
“Slow?” one of my playing partners responded. “He’s not slow at all!”
The reaction was both validating and a relief. Correcting mistakes in golf often takes time, but ironically, when the mistake involves time, the fix can be surprisingly quick. Of course, it helps to have a playing partner like David McLay Kidd, who isn’t afraid to point out the problem. All it takes is a commitment to changing a few bad habits.
The issue of pace of play is a perennial concern for golfers. According to a recent article in Golf Monthly, slow play is “one of the biggest bugbears of golf.” The article details 11 ways to improve pace of play, recognizing that golfers often have limited time and that slow play can negatively impact performance. A report from Caddiewheel emphasizes practical strategies for a faster round, acknowledging the importance of keeping up on the course.
The problem isn’t confined to amateur golfers. Even at the professional level, pace of play is a frequent topic of discussion. A piece on Golf.com recounts an incident at the Masters where Brooks Koepka noted that his playing partner, Jon Rahm, visited the restroom seven times during a round, potentially due to the slow pace of play. The article highlights the complexities of the issue, noting that while rules exist to address slow play (Rule 5.6 of the Rules of Golf), enforcement is rare.
The experience served as a valuable lesson. It’s a reminder that golf isn’t just about the swing. it’s about respecting the game and the time of your fellow players. And sometimes, it takes a blunt assessment from a respected course architect to help you see the truth.
