Rule 6-7 states, in part: “The player shall 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
The tournament committee at each competition will determine the allotted time each group is required to play in. This time will be posted on each player’s scorecard, and each player is expected to maintain that pace.
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. Any following group will be considered out of position if (1) it is taking more than the allotted time to play and (2) it reaches the tee of a par-3 hole and the preceding group has cleared the next tee; it reaches the tee of a par-4 hole and the putting green is clear; or it reaches the tee of a par-5 hole when the preceding group is on the putting green. Both (1) and (2) must apply for a group to be out of position.
Group Out of Position
If a group is out of position, an SCGA official will monitor and time them. Any group out of position will be informed by an SCGA official when they are being monitored and timed, typically immediately after the group in question has left the teeing ground.
Timing
When a group is out of position, each player must play any stroke within 40 seconds after the timing of the player’s stroke begins. Other than on the putting green, the timing of a player’s stroke will begin when they have had reasonable opportunity to reach their ball, it is their turn to play and they can play without interference or distraction. Time spent determining yardage will count as part of the 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 their ball, repair their ball mark and other ball marks on their line of putt and remove loose impediments from their 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: The committee reserves the right to time a group at any point 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 their group get back in position. An example of this would be a player who unduly delays a play between shots.
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 the timing of the player’s stroke begins. Any player that is assessed a bad time will be notified as soon as practicable of the warning or penalty:
Stroke Play
One bad time exceeding the allotted time: Warning
A second bad time: 1-stroke penalty
A third bad time: Additional 2-stroke penalty
A fourth bad time: Disqualification
Match Play
One bad time exceeding the allotted time: Warning
A second bad time: Loss-of-hole penalty
A third bad time: Disqualification
Note: If the group in question regains its proper position, any previous timing of more than the allotted time will be carried over for the remainder of that round in the event that the group requires additional monitoring. Any group with one player or more who has a bad time will be notified if the group requires additional monitoring and timing during the round.
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.
The responsibility for maintaining a good pace of play belongs with the player. Players in the first group in the field should play efficient golf. Players in following groups should keep up with the group in front to avoid a pace of play issue. The scorecard states the time a group is given to complete each hole. If a group falls behind on one hole, they are expected to play efficient golf and get back into position. This might mean playing ready golf for a hole or two and doing continuous putting, both of which are allowed in stroke play.
Players are expected to manage their time efficiently in between shots, be ready to play when it’s their turn, determine club selection and yardage while others are playing (rather than waiting to do so when it is their turn to play) and keep pace with the group in front and ignore the group behind. Players concerned about a slow player in their group may ask to have their group monitored.
