Columnist Peter Benton: Slow players top list of complaints

Peter Benton

Wednesday, Dec. 15, 1999 | 9:04 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

What annoys you the most between tee and green? Unrepaired divots? Unraked bunkers? Those infuriating little pieces of dirt that get stuck in the dimples of your ball?

I guess there's lots of stuff I can't stand. But if there is one thing that really ruffles my feathers on the course, it's slow players. And ignorant players.

I'm sick to death of them. They really get on my nerves and I cannot for the life of me understand what makes them tick.

Wake up and smell the cut grass, you guys and gals. How long does it take to play a shot anyway?

There is plenty of time to think about it while going to your ball. When you get there, set up and hit. Simple.

Don't pretend you're that French chap, Jean Van de Folde or whatever his name is. Take it from me, it's not going to be the shot of your life, so get on with it.

Oh, and it doesn't get any better on the greens, either. Marking and putting, marking and putting, marking and putting. Come on, give me a break. There I am, having just hit a terrific drive (for me), pumped up and ready to hit the green in two (hopefully). And some clown cannot make up his mind whether he's Tiger or Trigger.

That's fine -- if there is no one else on the course.

Part of the game is that everyone gets through in a decent amount of time. So come on, you slow coaches. Think of others for a change.

Don't know about you, but I always play to enjoy the game. Sure I get upset if I completely mess up a hole. But no matter who I'm with or where I am playing, the thing is to have a great time.

The good thing is you play yourself in this game. You also play the course, and the weather at times, but what you shouldn't do is start worrying about what the other fellow is up to -- play your game, not his.

Hey, you can't blame anyone but yourself if it all goes wrong. That's the beauty of this game. It is always up to you.

One more thing: Remember the times you're lining up a putt and some jerk in your group jangles his pocket change or clears his throat? That too, is also extremely aggravating.