Our recent survey reveals that while concerns over handicap manipulation continue to dominate debate, slow play remains the biggest frustration facing golfers in Open competitions.
Spend any time around a golf club or browsing golf social media and it's easy to think that every conversation eventually comes back to the World Handicap System.
Certainly, Golfshake's latest survey of more than 700 golfers confirms that concerns around handicap manipulation are widespread. More than half (53%) believe the current World Handicap System doesn't create a fair playing field, while almost 58% say they have witnessed or suspected handicap manipulation during competitions.
But when golfers were asked a much simpler question - "What frustrates you most about playing Open competitions and amateur events?" - the answer was something entirely different.
Slow play topped the list.
What Frustrates Golfers Most When Playing Competitively
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
An overwhelming 74% of golfers said slow play was their biggest frustration, narrowly ahead of handicap manipulation (70%).
It's a reminder that while golfers care deeply about fairness, nothing impacts every competitor on the day quite like waiting on every shot.
Let’s face it, this is probably the issue that exercises our minds more than any other. Much of it comes down to a lack of understanding of golf etiquette along with a lack of common sense. We have all watched golfers hit drives into trees or thick rough and then not hit a provisional, insisting that they will be able to find the ball - only to have to walk back to the tee with their tails between their legs. And when was the last time a slower group in front waved you through? I was taught to always keep an eye open on what is happening behind me. But those days seems to have gone.
A friend and I played in an Open pairs competition in 2025 and were paired with two younger golfers who had clearly watched a LOT of professional golf on TV. It took us five hours and 15 minutes to complete 18 holes in perfect weather. And here’s the most worrying thing - we did not hold anybody up. It was excruciating. A course marshal would definitely have helped. And I believe we should have been given a maximum time to complete our round. The other frustration was that we both played really well but came nowhere near winning.
I would also like to have seen a bacon roll and hot drink included in the price, but that’s a whole different debate.
Slow Play Continues to Test Patience of Golfers
The pace of play has long been one of golf's most debated issues, and the survey suggests very little has changed.
Whether golfers are competing for prizes or simply enjoying a day out at a new course, spending five hours or more out there continues to diminish the experience.
Several respondents highlighted the issue in their comments:
"Courses need to be stricter on pace of play."
Another golfer suggested organisers should be far more proactive.
"Better marshalling and monitoring of slow groups would improve many Opens."
Others felt that delays throughout the day - from tee sheets to prize presentations - can leave an otherwise enjoyable event ending on a frustrating note.
The findings suggest that while golfers appreciate good courses and well-run competitions, maintaining a sensible pace of play remains one of the simplest ways clubs can improve the experience.
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