Derek Schade Golf

Welcome to @towerranchgolfclub ⛳️ 📍 Kelowna, BC #golf #explorebc #kelowna #kelownabc #golfer

“A Fun Game is a Fast Game” - Why a Fast Round of Golf Is the Most Enjoyable
Our friend Robin has a saying , “A fun game is a fast game”, and I find it tough to disagree with that statement. Often controversial on his takes on pace of play, the NHL hockey season lasting forever and some takes on gimmicks to improve your golf, Robin speaks truth on these topics. The most significant being pace of play.
Golf is often celebrated as a leisurely game, but in my opinion the most enjoyable rounds are the ones played at a brisk pace.
While many golfers associate a day on the course with relaxation and escape, a fast round delivers a unique combination of rhythm, focus, enjoyment, and satisfaction that slow play simply cannot match. I’ve often heard comments of how “I’ve payed my money, I’ll play at the speed I like” but coming from a golf operation background that seems extremely selfish and very poor etiquette.
Fast rounds maximize enjoyment by minimizing one of golf's biggest complaints: waiting. Few things diminish the pleasure of a round more than standing on a tee box for ten minutes while the group ahead searches for balls or debates club selection. Continuous play keeps energy levels high and prevents boredom from creeping into the experience. Golf feels more like a sport and less like a traffic jam.
Another advantage is the efficient use of time. Modern life is busy, and many golfers struggle to dedicate five or six hours to a round when travel, warm-up, and post-round activities are included. A fast round can fit comfortably into a morning, afternoon, or evening, making golf more accessible and less of a commitment. Players can enjoy the game they love while still having time for family, work, or other activities. Arguably the main downfall of golf’s popularity is the amount of time it takes to play a round.
One of the greatest benefits of a fast round is the natural flow it creates. Golf is a game that rewards rhythm. When players move efficiently from shot to shot, they stay mentally engaged and maintain a consistent tempo. Long waits between shots can disrupt concentration, leading to overthinking and frustration. In contrast, a quick round allows golfers to trust their instincts and play more naturally, often resulting in better performance. Hitting a good shot followed by another and another is a great flow. Also hitting a poor shot but quickly getting over it with the next shot is more enjoyable.
Perhaps most importantly, a fast round captures the essence of golf. The game is at its best when players are immersed in the challenge of navigating the course, making decisions, and executing shots. Momentum creates excitement. Each hole leads naturally to the next, and before long, golfers find themselves fully absorbed in the experience.
This doesn't mean rushing or sacrificing etiquette. (In fact, a good pace is the best etiquette). A fast round is not about sprinting between shots or pressuring others. Instead, it is about being prepared, staying aware, and respecting the time of fellow golfers. When everyone plays with purpose, the entire course benefits.
In the end, the most enjoyable round of golf is often the one that moves smoothly and efficiently. Fast play enhances rhythm, maintains focus, reduces frustration, and allows golfers to spend more time enjoying the game and less time waiting. For many of us, there is no better feeling than walking off the 18th green after a well-played round that seemed to fly by.

derekschadegolf.com
[email protected]

For Lesson Times Call 250 765 7010

Why Regular Golf Lessons Are Like Preventative Maintenance for Your Swing

Most golfers wait until something goes wrong before scheduling a lesson.
The slice suddenly reappears. Distances start dropping. Ball striking becomes inconsistent. Scores begin creeping higher. Frustration builds, and eventually the golfer decides it's time to see a professional.
While lessons are certainly valuable when your game is struggling, the smartest golfers understand that instruction isn't just for fixing problems—it's also one of the best forms of preventative maintenance available.
Just as you wouldn't wait for your car engine to fail before changing the oil, you shouldn't wait for your golf swing to break down before seeking professional guidance.
Small Problems Become Big Problems
Golf swings are constantly evolving. Even highly skilled players experience subtle changes over time due to practice habits, physical limitations, age, flexibility, or simply playing more golf.
The challenge is that many of these changes happen gradually. A slight grip change here. A minor setup adjustment there. A small compensation that develops to fix another issue.
Individually, these changes may seem insignificant. Over weeks and months, however, they can compound into larger swing flaws that become more difficult to correct.
A periodic lesson allows a golf professional to identify these issues early, often before the golfer even notices them affecting performance.
The Best Players in the World Don't Wait
One of the biggest misconceptions among amateur golfers is that lessons are only for beginners or players who are struggling.
In reality, the world's best players regularly work with coaches even when they're playing well.
Why?
Because they understand that maintaining a great swing is often easier than repairing bad habits.
Next week at the US Open you will see almost every tour player has a coach with them on the range. They’re not there to make changes to their player’s swing, especially right before a major championship. Those coaches are there for preventative maintenance and to monitor the player’s swing.
Most of us could learn from that by taking lessons regularly, even when we are hitting it good, to help us reach that next level of performance.
Professional golfers know that small adjustments and regular checkups can prevent larger problems from developing. The same principle applies to every golfer, regardless of skill level.
Look at it as - you are continuing to discover your golf swing.
Maintaining Good Habits Is Easier Than Breaking Bad Ones
When golfers experience a slump, they often spend weeks or months reinforcing compensations and bad habits before seeking help.
By the time they take a lesson, those habits may be deeply ingrained (often years of swinging that way) and require significant effort to change.
Regular coaching helps golfers stay on the right path. Instead of correcting major flaws, lessons become opportunities to reinforce solid fundamentals, improve consistency, and fine-tune performance.
In many cases, a small adjustment made early can prevent months of frustration later or help you discover the next level of performance.
Confidence Comes from Confirmation
Even when your game feels good, there is tremendous value in knowing you're working on the right things.
Many golfers wonder:
Is my setup still sound?
Has my swing changed without me noticing?
Am I practicing effectively?
Are there small issues developing that could hurt my game later?

For me its my posture that tends to get sloppy and if I’m playing good, feeling confident, I tend to start swinging a little harder and soon that leads to problems.

A lesson can provide reassurance that you're moving in the right direction while identifying areas that deserve attention before they become problematic.
Sometimes the most valuable lesson isn't learning something new—it's confirming that what you're doing is working. You hear us talk about “discovering your swing” and this is what that’s all about.
Rather than spending months battling avoidable swing issues, golfers who schedule periodic lessons often enjoy more consistent performance, greater confidence, and faster long-term improvement.
A lesson can help ensure that the time you're spending on the course and practice range is producing the results you want.
Think Long-Term Discovery
Many golfers view lessons as emergency repairs. A better approach is to think of them as routine maintenance. If you're only taking lessons when your game falls apart, you're missing one of the greatest benefits of professional coaching.
Just as regular servicing keeps a vehicle running efficiently, periodic golf lessons help keep your swing functioning at its best.
Whether you're shooting 75 or 95, preventative maintenance can help protect the progress you've worked so hard to achieve. Discover why some of the most valuable golf lessons happen when everything seems okay.
When golfers adopt this mindset, they often experience fewer slumps, more consistency, and greater enjoyment of the game.
Regular lessons provide guidance, accountability, and expert feedback that can keep your swing healthy before major issues develop. Don’t wait for your swing to send an SOS, continue discovering your potential with regular lessons.

Derek Schade
Canadian PGA

derekschadegolf.com
[email protected]

For Lesson Times Call 250 765 7010

Call 250-765-7010 to discover better golf

Dinner cruise in Chiang Mai