Pace of Play
Pace of Play Guidelines
for Competition Play
Pace of Play
1. The first group teeing off in the field must complete their first 4 holes as follows, regardless of whether they start their round on the 1st Tee or the 10th Tee
a) For a Stroke round the first 4 holes must be completed in 55 minutes
b) For a Par or Stableford round, the first 4 holes must be completed in 50 minutes.
2. In addition to the above, the first groups must complete their first 9 holes as follows:-
a) For a Stroke round, the first 9 holes addimust be completed in 2 hours
b) For a Par or Stableford round, the first 9 holes must be completed in 1 hour and 55 minutes.
3. Additionally, and on the assumption that the first group teeing off in the field does not catch the last group off the other side after commencing their second nine, the first groups must complete their round as follows:-
a) For a Stroke round, the 18 holes must be completed in 4 hours
b) For a Par or Stableford round, the 18 holes must be completed in 3 hours and 50 minutes
4. All other groups in the field are to retain their position in the field in relation to the group in front using the following as a guide:-
a) For a par 3 a group must be on the tee ready to play as the group in front is walking off the green having completed the hole.
b) For a par 4 a group must be on the tee and ready to play as the group in front has completed their second shots, and must be approaching their second shots as the group in front is walking off the green having completed the hole.
c) For a par 5 a group must be on the tee and ready to play as the group in front is between their second and third shots; must be approaching their second shots as the group in front is approaching the green having played their third shots, and must be approaching their third shots as the group in front is walking off the green having completed the hole
d) At all times, the objective of each group is to achieve the time limits set out in points 1, 2 & 3 above.
Out of position
5. A group will be deemed to be out of position in the following manner:-
a) If the group is the first group in the field to tee off, the group will be deemed to be out of position if it fails to adhere to the time limits set out in points 1, 2 & 3. The only exception to this will be if that group catches up to another group playing on the course.
b) On a par 3 ? if upon arriving on the tee, the group in front has cleared the green.
c) On a par 4 ? if upon arriving on the tee, the group in front is on the green or on the next hole (except for Holes 1 and 14) d)On a par 5 ? if upon arriving on the tee, the group in front have played their third shots.
Procedure if a group is out of position
6. If a group is deemed to be out of position by the course marshal, the marshal shall ascertain the reason(s) for being out of position and advise the group that it has two holes to reclaim its correct position in the field and that failure to do so may result in a penalty.
7. Should a group fail to reclaim its position after the two holes given above, the marshal shall again ascertain the reason(s) from the group for not reclaiming its position.
a ) If the reasons are valid, the group shall be given a further two holes with a warning to reclaim its position. However this will be the only grace period given and if at the completion of the next two holes, the group is still out of position, point (b) below will apply
b ) If the reasons are not valid, the marshal shall advise each player in the group that they have received a one shot penalty in stroke play (applicable to that hole). For Stableford competitions, one point will be deducted from the overall result and in Par competitions, one hole will be deducted from the overall result. The marshal shall advise the Match Committee of his decision.
8. What constitutes a valid reason?
a)if a member(s) of the group loses a ball
b)the number of shots being taken by a member(s) of the group
Numerous breaches
If a player(s) continually/regularly breaches the Pace Of Play guidelines, the Match Committee may take the following action:-
1. The player is instructed that for a period of one month (Match Committee to nominate start and end dates), he cannot play in time slots in the first half of the field.
2. If during the one month period, the player(s) continue to breach the Pace Of Play guidelines, a period of suspension from competition may be given. Such penalties may be applied only if a player receives four or more one shot penalties in a period of two months.