I have had the opportunity to officiate at many golf tournaments including the U.S. Open Championship to the U.S. Senior Open. Seeing the best players in the world up close is a great way to learn a lot about shot making, course management and even what type of personality players have “off camera.” I was amazed at just how skilled these players are””particularly near the greens where they always seemed to manage to save pars from the most unlikely places. But what surprised me even more was to see just how fast the more experienced players play. Case in point, Jim Furyk and Bob Tway.
At the 2009 U.S. Open I was the walking official in a group that included Jim Furyk. In watching Jim Furyk on television I had come to the conclusion that he was a very slow player. His habit of getting over a putt only to back off time and time again led me to believe that this was his routine on every shot. When watching him play an entire round of golf I was able to see all of things that are not caught on camera. First of all, Jim Furyk is a fast walker. He doesn’t waste any time getting to his ball. Second, he is always ready to play when it is his turn. His routine may be methodical at times, but he doesn’t waste any time “getting into the zone” to play a stroke. I was particularly impressed when he played out of turn on a hole where I had a lengthy ruling with another player which helped keep the group in position.
At the U.S. Senior Open I had a very similar experience with Bob Tway. Having watched Bob Tway over the years I had concluded that he was a very deliberate player. His routine is very calculated and he doesn’t seem to have any sense of urgency when preparing to play a stroke. I was amazed to see just how fast Bob Tway plays the game. Much like Furyk, he walks very fast and is always ready to player when it is his turn. Once he begins his routine (the stuff the camera catches) he is deliberate, but he more than makes up for that time with his actions in between strokes.
Because pace of play is emphasized so much at the PGA Tour level, players learn to do everything they can to avoid being put “on the clock.” The best players in the world have figured out that if they manage their time wisely, they have plenty of time to line up those important putts down the stretch. Sadly, it is only those shots that are captured on television and which influence young players on how to play the game.
I challenge every golfer, regardless of skill, to think about just how efficient you are in between shots. Do you watch your good shots (to savor the moment) or your bad shots (to find them quickly and shorten search times)? Do you line up putts while others are putting or do you wait until the “stage is yours?” Do you walk quickly to your ball or do you drag your feet and take your sweet time? When it is your turn to play have you already determined your yardage and selected a club or do you not worry about any of those details until it is your turn to play? I can tell you how the best players would answer those questions””what about you?
My experience at these national championships taught me a lot. I learned that “these guys” not only are good, believe it or not, they are also fast.
