Slow play (again)

So Ross Fisher got docked a shot today at the Wales Open - apparently he'd had the requisite number of warnings and it was all done by the book - The match official was even reported on TV as being disappointed he HAD to make the penalty - but was it right?

We ALL seem to talk about slow play as being one of the worst things about golf, both professional and amateur and yet for Fisher to be singled out like that just left a bit of a sour taste for me when there are so many other more notable offenders

The conditions at Celtic Manor seemed to be pretty bad - the weather was coming in and out in waves and the TV coverage showed lots of changes of wet waether gear on and off - should there have been a bit more leeway given?

I really don't know what to think - I'd love to see more penalties given for slow play but Ross Fisher seemed to be dealt with a little too harshly IMO

I agree Davie, seemed pretty harsh to me as well. Fisher's body language seemed to suggest that he felt he was out of contention after that

I think they have to start doing something about slow play, I mean every golfer can give a good reason for being out of place on the golf course, but it is one of these things that if golfers are aware they can be added penalty strokes to their card, then they will not start looking for excuses for being slow, but will make sure they keep up with the group in front.

It seems to be the way of the world that the people who regularly push the boundaries are not the ones who get punished when the crack-down is implemented.

Fisher was made a scapegoat in my opinion. He is not the worst culprit out there, but I can't help thinking this was a bit pre-meditated to get someone in the final few groups just to send a message. Might do good in the long run, but try telling that to Ross.

Yes - still think it pretty harsh though I'm glad to see it being addressed - the conditions were pretty harsh out there but I think someone decided it was time to make an example

Wasn't Fisher struggling with a toe injury as well, the bad conditions? leeway should have been made for that surely.

I agree fully that slow play needs sorting out, but imagine there will have been better candidates this weekend for sanctions

Doc - I think he was struggling with a toe injury but the point of contention seemed to be how long he took to select his shot (not time taken to get to the ball)

I'm with you though that he seemed a bit of a scapegoat

Sorry but do not see it, as a scapegoat, I believe they had dropped almost 3 holes from the group in front, now that is slow play, was surprised that he was the only player in the group to be penalised.

Will be interesting to see if the PGA will do the same, as on their tour they have some serious slow players.

From what I heard on the TV it was the inordinate amount of time he was taking conferring with this caddy on the tee which was causing the problem. He also appeared not to be starting to think about club selection etc until it was his turn to play despite the fact he had time while his playing partners were taking their shots. He deserved all he got. This canker must be stamped out.

When I first started playing, I was told to play "ready golf" as much as possible - think about the next shot and the club you're likely need as you walk up to the ball, always walk onto the next tee with the ball ready on a tee peg (I still do it now) ..... there is no need to rush the shots if you walk quickly between them and are thinking about what you are going to do.

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR SLOW PLAY!

Now if it had been David Howell that had been docked a shot...

I'm with LP
He was playing VERY slowly and the conferences with his caddy on every shot were ridiculous.

I suspect were Ross not English and were say, Ben Crane, then everyone here would be saying how good it was that some action was finally taken and how much backbone the referee had shown to have taken a stance even though the player was in contention. He could easily have bottled it

BlueCoverman wrote:Now if it had been David Howell that had been docked a shot...

Wouldn't have made any difference to my league score and it would have been perfectly correct - there is no excuse for slow play, especially when someone is carrying your clubs, giving you the yardage, handing you the club and cleaning it afterwards. All the pro has to do is hit the bloody thing

I know, I know...just a little joke LP, a poor one I agree!