Pace of Play Policy

Rule 6-7 states, in part: “The player must play without undue delay and in accordance with any Pace of Play guidelines which may be laid down by the Committee,” and thereafter prescribes penalties for slow play. In order to prevent any such penalty, we suggest that you review carefully the following guidelines.

Allotted Time

Please refer to the Golf Association Pace of Play Time Chart, which is available for all competitors at each event.

Definition of “Out of Position”

The first group to start will be considered out of position if; at any time during the round, the group is behind the prescribed schedule as detailed on the Pace of Play Time Chart established for the event. Any following group will be considered out of position if it (a) is taking more than the allotted time to play and (b) reaches the tee of a par-3 hole and the preceding group has cleared the next tee; reaches the tee of a par-4 hole and the putting green is clear or reaches the teeing ground of a par-5 hole when the preceding group is on the putting green. Both (a) and (b) must apply for a group to be out of position.

Monitoring of groups

A group that is out of position will be so informed by the Committee. However, the Committee reserves the right to time any group that the Committee deems is out of position, whether or not the group has been informed.

Timing

If a group is out of position, it may be monitored or timed for failing to comply with the Pace of Play guideline. When a group is out of position each player in the group is expected to make any stroke within 40 seconds after timing of the player’s stroke begins.

Other than on the putting green, the timing of a player’s stroke will begin when he has had reasonable opportunity to reach his ball, it is his turn to play and he can play without interference or distraction. Time spent determining yardage will count as time taken for the next stroke.

On the putting green, timing will begin after a player has been allowed a reasonable amount of time to lift, clean and replace his ball, repair his ball mark and other ball marks on his line of putt and remove loose impediments on his line of putt. Time spent looking at the line from beyond the hole and/or behind the ball will count as part of the time taken for the next stroke.

NOTE: A player is permitted 40 seconds to make a stroke. An extra 10 seconds (for a total of 50 seconds) will be allowed for:

(a) the first player to make a stroke on a par-3 hole

(b) the first player to make a second stroke on a par-4 or par-5 hole

(c) the first player to make a third stroke on a par-5 hole

(d) the first player to make a stroke around the putting green

(e) the first player to make a stroke on the putting green

NOTE:  The Committee reserves the right, at any time, to time a group when the Committee deems it necessary. Players should also be aware that the Committee may assess a “bad time” to a player in a group which is out of position if the player makes no effort to help his group get back in position. An example of this would be a player who unduly delays play between shots.

Pace of Play Penalties

The following are the penalties, in sequence, for any player in a group being timed who takes more than the allotted time to play a stroke after timing of the player’s stroke begins:

One bad timing exceeding the allotted time — warning

A second bad timing — 1 stroke penalty

A third bad timing — Additional 2 stroke penalty

A fourth bad timing – Disqualification

NOTE: If the group in question regains its proper position, any previous timings of more than the allotted time will be carried over for the remainder of that round in the event that group requires additional monitoring. Any group with a player(s) who has a bad time will be notified if the group requires additional monitoring and time during the round.

Rulings or Other Incidents If a ruling or some other legitimate delay occurs which causes the group in question to lose its position, that group is expected to regain its position within a reasonable time.