Committee examines pace-of-play measures, tee-time spacing and player-assistant role to reduce slow rounds

Sun City West golf staff briefed the golf committee on April 10 about pace-of-play problems, player-assistance duties and possible operational changes to reduce slow rounds across courses.

Pat O'Hara, speaking for golf operations, presented a “pace of play” chart (the Arizona Golf Association's POP chart) that assigns target minutes per hole and set target round times—three hours for executive courses and four hours for regulation courses—and outlined four factors that affect pace: course conditions, customer service, perceived value and pace itself. "Our goal is to get everybody around the golf course, especially this time of year, in a reasonable amount of time," O'Hara said.

Why it matters: Slow play affects player enjoyment and course throughput, and can reduce revenue if golfers avoid peak times. Committee members and residents said pace-of-play problems are most noticeable on executive courses and on certain holes that create bottle-necks.

Key points discussed - Player assistants (PAs): Staff described PAs as on-course staff who encourage play-ready habits, enforce course rules, and perform light course upkeep (sanding/repairing divots). PAs typically make three circuit rounds during a shift; staff said the frequency varies by need. The committee asked that PAs coordinate with starters so PAs use accurate start-time information before approaching a group. - Hole bottlenecks: Echo Mesa holes 4, 8, 13 and 17 were highlighted as typical choke points because of layout and hole difficulty. O'Hara showed time-per-hole targets and noted that a nine-minute hole in an eight-minute tee-time cadence will generate backups. - Tee-time spacing: Committee members suggested testing 10-minute tee intervals on executive courses (currently 7–8 minutes) to reduce compression. Staff reported a prior test at Stardust several years ago with 10-minute times produced mixed results: it spread tee times but did not clearly improve pace and reduced hourly capacity, affecting revenue. Staff said they'd be willing to try another pilot, focused on executive courses. - Best Tee program: Staff recommended golfers play the tee that matches their typical shot distances (a USGA-guided “Best Tee” approach) to make scores more appropriate for skill and to speed play. - Resident experience: Several residents reported regular waits longer than five minutes on executive courses; one resident said nine holes on an executive course sometimes took two hours.

Operational follow-ups requested - Staff to confer with starters and PAs to improve real-time coordination so PAs check starter notes before approaching groups. - Committee asked staff to consider a pilot of increased executive-course tee intervals (e.g., test 10-minute spacing) and report back results. - Staff agreed to provide usage and revenue statistics for 9-hole/“back 9” tee times and to share per-course pace data at the next meeting.

Quotes from the meeting - Pat O'Hara (Golf operations staff): "If you stay up with the group in front of you, a PA will probably never have a discussion with you." - A resident and rules official with tournament experience, Tom Wolgamuth, said: "When you pack a lot of golfers on the golf course, it's gonna slow it down."

Ending No formal policy changes or votes were taken. Committee members asked staff for follow-up data and suggested testing changes to tee-time spacing on executive courses before any system-wide adjustments are proposed to the governing board.