SNGA Pace of Play Policy
Rule 5, states in part: A player must not unreasonably delay play, either when playing a hole or between holes. The player shall play without delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines that the Rules Committee may establish. The following pace of play guidelines have been adopted by the SNGA. In the administration of the pace of play guidelines, a member of the Rules Committee or other staff members or volunteers shall not tolerate abuse, verbal or otherwise, by any player. Such abuse may result in disqualification of the player.
Definition of “Out of Position”
The first group to tee off will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round, they exceed the time allotted to play. The time allotted will be detailed on the player’s scorecard and any other applicable pace of play chart for the event.
Any subsequent group will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round they (a) exceed the allotted time to play and (b) finish a hole more than 14 minutes behind the group in front of them. In addition a group will also be considered out of position if they (a) exceed their allotted time of play and (b) reach a par-3 hole that is open and free of play, reach a par-4 and have not played a stroke from the teeing area before the hole is open and free of play or reach a par-5 and all players have not played a stroke from the teeing area before the hole is open and free from play.
NOTE: The Committee reserves the right to time a group when the Committee deems it necessary. Further, if a player is determined by the Committee to be unreasonably slow, they may be timed individually at the Committee’s discretion, regardless of whether the group is out of position.
Timing
When the Committee determines that a group is starting to fall behind, or is just out of position, the group will receive a warning. In some circumstances the Committee may commence timing without having given such warning, including when a group has already fallen significantly behind and/or is affecting other groups.
Once a group has been warned, the Committee (if available to do so) will monitor the pace of individual players in the group to determine if any players should be timed individually, as opposed to the entire group, in the case the group does not regain its position on the course.
The warning that is issued to the group serves as the notification to all the players in that group that they can be timed at any time by the Committee.
Other than on the putting green, the timing will begin when it is the players turn to play and 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 mark, lift, clean and replace the ball, repair ball marks or other damage on the line of play and remove loose impediments.
NOTE: A player is permitted 40 seconds to play a stroke (the Rules of Golf say you should be able to do it faster than that), and an extra 10 seconds will be allowed for:
- The first player to play a stroke on a par-3 hole:
- The first player to play a second stroke on a par-4 or par-5 hole:
- The first player to playa third stroke on a par-5 hole:
- The first player to play around the putting green:
- The first player to play on the putting green
Any player in a group being timed, who exceeds the applicable time to play a stroke will be subject to possible pace of play penalty.
Penalties During Round
First Offense: Warning
Second Offense: A one (1) stroke penalty
Third Offense: A two (2) stroke penalty
Fourth Offense: Disqualification
Appeals
Appeals to a pace of play penalty will never be heard while on the golf course. An appeal can be made to the Committee at the scoring area.