Stevie-G looking for a speedy new approach
STEPHEN GALLACHER didn’t tee it up up at The Open this year due to injury.
But his big hope at Royal Troon was that the rest of the field will be implementing the quicker pace of play that has been introduced on the European Tour this season.
Gallacher was invited to attend the R&A’s Time For Golf meeting last November to give his opinions about tackling one of the sport’s biggest problems – slow play.
Right through, from pros to players at their local clubs, everyone is being encouraged to play golf that little bit faster.
The European Tour implemented a new Pace of Play policy at the start of the year and rounds have been up to 19 minutes quicker.
Gallacher has applauded the stance taken by the Tour. But he admits that everyone involved in the sport has a duty to improve speed to make it more pleasurable for everyone.
“The European Tour is doing brilliantly with its initiative,” he says. “It has started to monitor groups. You can be in your position but out of time and timings have come down because of that.
“Players were moaning to the Committee, so the situation couldn’t go on. There are no excuses for slow play now.
“Individuals don’t want a bad time, so they can work on their routine to speed up a little.
“It’s the simple things, like being ready when it’s your turn to play. Have your glove on, have your yardage ready and roughly know what club you want to hit.
“Times can be reduced a bit more, too, but not that much because the courses we play on Tour are long and difficult.
“But everyone has to play quicker. Club golfers are taking too long in their Saturday and Sunday medals and that’s the worrying part.
“It has to be addressed for the good of the sport as there’s nothing worse than taking too long.
“Course set-up is crucial as well, though. At last month’s US Open, there was a 288-yard par three and a 667-yard par-five.
“Of course, holes like that are going to take ages. That’s the same at normal courses if greens are too fast or the rough is too thick.
“There are dwindling numbers because a game of golf is taking too long. If it means having nine or 12-hole club medals as people have less time to play, that needs to happen.”
Gallacher is currently recovering from surgery on his wrist, which had been hampering him for the best part of a year.
He hopes to return to The Tour next month with what he hopes will be an improved and safer technique.
“There is no point in rushing back,” he states. “You can’t play to your potential if you are playing in pain.”