Played the Grande Dunes Resort Course today -- teed off a little before 12:30. The course is in great shape, but... it took over 5 hours to play. That should never happen anywhere, but it feels especially bad for an afternoon round and at a place that charges a premium. They also did not have a single ranger on the course, so I don't think they cared about the pace of play.
Even though I enjoy the course and the conditions were excellent, not sure I'll ever go back after what happened today -- too many other places to play. I can't remember the last time I had a 5+ hour round of golf and I hope I don't have one again.
My group plays GD almost every trip to Myrtle Beach. I don't think we have ever spent more than 4 1/2 hours on the course. Usually the customer service there is top notch.
You could have hit one of those days when the course is slammed with golfers most likely playing the wrong tee blocks, can see 5 hours on a tough track like Grand Dunes, the no ranger thing we saw several times over the winter at various courses. Hopefully you will not see that again.
On my recent trip, I started to see a few more rangers on courses,
compared to right after CV ended.
I have noticed that we are less likely to see rangers in the PM than
the AM, where they need to finish in time for the PM double tee to start.
With GPS on carts, the pro shop can see what kind of backup there is.
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Every course in MB can face the nightmare of a couple of very slow groups - once watched a foursome on West take 30 minutes to play the 11th hole - we skipped around them
Golf is just an excuse to drink whiskey and smoke cigars
The "wrong tee blocks" sin is really on the starter who should take 1-2 minutes and seriously grill the group on their abilities and "urge" them to the correct tees. As others have said, it only takes a couple of "John Daly wannabes" hitting from the tips where they have no business being to screw a round up for everyone behind them - especially on a course that features forced carries. And then out come the ball retrievers - Yikes!
It's too bad - especially at Grande Dunes, one of my favorite courses on the planet.
@kccct sure hear what you are saying, and yes if the starter has there attention they may listen, but the ones who say I paid $$$$ to play here are the ones I generally see on the back tees.
And after 3 out of the 4 dribble the ball off the first tee - or send it into the trash in front of the He-Man tees - the starter should tell them that they either move up or they'll be playing 16, maybe 17, holes today after they are asked to step aside for the groups behind them that they're holding up!
Oh, in a Perfect World!
@kccct In a perfect world yes, but in MB I've never seen it over the winter time when I am down.
Played the Grande Dunes Resort Course today -- teed off a little before 12:30. The course is in great shape, but... it took over 5 hours to play. That should never happen anywhere, but it feels especially bad for an afternoon round and at a place that charges a premium. They also did not have a single ranger on the course, so I don't think they cared about the pace of play.
Even though I enjoy the course and the conditions were excellent, not sure I'll ever go back after what happened today -- too many other places to play. I can't remember the last time I had a 5+ hour round of golf and I hope I don't have one again.
They wanted your F&B money ... LOL!
Brian Noblin
Myrtle Beach Golf Talk
My direct line at work 888-272-7263
