PACE OF PLAY GUIDELINES – STROKE PLAY
Rule 6-7. Undue Delay; Slow Play states; “The player must play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines that the Committee may establish. Between completion of a hole and playing from the next teeing ground, the player must not unduly delay play.”
Summary
When a group is out of position at any check-point the players in the group are liable to penalty under these guidelines. Players in a group that have been determined to be out of position will be liable to penalty according to the following schedules of penalties pending final determination of whether a breach or breaches of these guidelines have occurred:
Check-points will be on completion (flagstick in the hole) of the 9th and 18th holes
First potential breach upon completion of the first 9 holes – liable to one stroke penalty
First potential breach upon completion of 18 holes – liable to one stroke penalty
Second potential breach upon completion of 18 holes – liable to two stroke penalty
(total of three strokes)
Allotted time
Each group is allotted a defined time to complete 18 holes at a pace in accordance with the pace of play time chart established for the event. When a group falls behind, regardless of the reason, it must regain its position. Time for ball searches, rulings and walking time between holes is included in the allotted time.
Definition of “Out of Position”
FIRST GROUP: The first group is out of position if it takes more than the allotted time to finish a check-point hole.
FOLLOWING GROUPS: A following group is out of position if it
a. takes more than the allotted time to finish a check-point hole and
b. completes play of a check-point hole more than 14 minutes after the preceding group completed play of that hole.
Group Out of Position
When a group is out of position at a check-point, it will be notified by a Check-Point Official that the group is potentially in breach of the pace of play guidelines. When a group has been notified they are out of position, they must re-establish position prior to the next check-point or the group is liable for the prescribed penalty(s). Clocks are placed are various points on the golf course and pace of play times are listed on each players score cards so each participant and group can monitor and know if they are out of position.
Resumption of Play: A group out of position when play is discontinued is out of position when play is resumed.
Final Determination Regarding Breach/Review Process
Before returning a score card, a player who was out of position during his round may consult with the Pace of Play Committee to determine if he has incurred a penalty under these guidelines. The Pace of Play Committee will determine that a player who has been found to be out of position is not in breach of these guidelines only if:
a. the player was delayed by the Committee; or
b. the player was delayed by a circumstance beyond control of the player or the group; or
c. the player was delayed by another player in the group.
A player who was out of position during his round and who elects to consult with the Pace of Play Committee to determine whether he was in breach of these guidelines is considered to have been in breach of these guidelines and to have incurred a penalty or penalties according to the above schedule of penalties.
If a group is liable to penalty, all penalties will be applied to the check-point hole where the breach occurred.
Appeals
Before returning his scorecard, a player may appeal “group breach” pace of play penalties to the Committee. An appeal will be considered only if:
a. the player was delayed by the Committee; or
b. the player was delayed by a circumstance beyond control of the player or the group; or
c. the player was delayed by another player in the group.
Note: The Committee reserves the right, at any time, to monitor or time a group when the Committee deems it necessary. An example of this would be a player who delays play between shots or holes.
