The R&A launches pace of play survey

The R&A has launched a survey to find out grassroots golfers’ thoughts on the thorny issue of pace of play.

The poll, posted on Survey Monkey, includes 28 straightforward questions covering a variety of topics relating to the amount of time it takes to play a round of golf.

The issue has been one of the most debated and discussed topics in golf, particularly over the past decade or so, and with membership numbers and participation rates dwindling, the game’s governing body is keen to assess the extent to which pace of play is having an effect.

“One of the hot topics in golf at the moment is pace of play,” explains an accompanying statement on the R&A website. “Pace of play is affected by many factors, including player ability and behaviour, management practices and course difficulty and set-up.

“Are you happy with how long it takes you to play golf? If golf took less time to play would you enjoy it more, would you play more golf?”

“Many commentators argue that golf nowadays takes too long, that slow round times are driving people away from the game and that something needs to be done. Conversely, others would say that golf is not a race, that not everyone wants to play in a hurry and that some courses are just not capable of being played in under four hours.”

To that effect, the R&A says that it is ‘interested to hear the views’ of golfers from around the globe on this issue.

The statement continues: “Are you happy with how long it takes you to play golf? If golf took less time to play would you enjoy it more, would you play more golf? What are the causes of slow play? What can be done to improve pace of play?”

The R&A survey takes roughly five minutes to complete and the results will be pulled together and published in due course.

The R&A ‘Pace of Play’ survey :: Take part

To take part in the ‘Pace of Play’ survey being carried out by the R&A, click here.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor