Etiquette & Pace of Play Best Practices

Etiquette

 

Fairway Divots

Please repair your divots in the fairway after your stroke whenever possible.

 

Ball Marks

Fix your ball mark + one more on the putting green.

 

When playing Junior Tour events please fix your ball marks and repair your divots. It is important to leave the course in better shape than we found it. 

 

Pace of Play Policy – Shotgun Start – with a shotgun start, pace of play will be monitored and a warning will be issued when a group is OUT OF POSITION, defined as having the next tee clear upon arriving at a par 3 tee, having the hole clear on a par 4 or having the group in front on the green on a par 5. An OUT OF POSITION GROUP will be warned that they are being timed. Once a group is being timed, a player must play his /her shot in 40 seconds once it is his/her turn to play and there is nothing preventing play, with a 10 second leeway for the first to hit from a specific area. Failure to do so will result in a warning for the first bad time, one stroke penalty for the second, two strokes for the third.

 

Pace of Play

 

Play ready golf

Please remember rule 5.6b of the Rules of Golf.  "A round of golf is meant to be played at a prompt pace."  In stroke play it is encouraged that you play "ready golf".  Lastly, directly from the rule book "It is recommended that the player make a stroke in no more than 40 seconds after they are able to play without interference or distraction, and the player should usaully be able to play more quickly than that and is encouraged to do so."

 

Plan your shot before you get to your ball
Once you are off the tee, think ahead. Determine your yardage and make your club selection before it is your turn to play. Very often, you can do this while others are playing, without disruption. If you take your glove off between shots, have it back on before it is your turn to play. Even a small step like this saves time.

 

Keep your pre-shot routine short
Pick your line of play once and trust yourself. Try to take no more than one practice swing, then set up to the ball and play your shot. Most importantly, be ready to hit when it is your turn. Be efficient after your shot too. Start moving toward your next shot promptly.

 

Develop an eye for distance
You don’t have to step off yardage for every shot. If you need to determine precise distance, try to find a yardage marker before you reach your ball, then step off the yardage on the way to your ball. If others you are playing with are not familiar with the course, the Rules permit players to exchange yardage information without penalty.

 

Be helpful to others in your group
Follow the flight of all tee shots, not just your own. Once in the fairway, help others look for their ball if you already know the location of yours. Volunteer to fill in a divot or rake a bunker for another player if needed. Be ready to attend the flagstick for others.

 

Keep up with the group in front of you
Your correct position on the course is immediately behind the group in front of you, not immediately in front of the group behind you.

 

Be efficient on the putting green
Mark your ball and lift and clean it when you arrive at the putting green so you will be ready to replace it when it is your turn to play. You can usually line up your putt while others are putting, without disturbing them. Leave your clubs on the side of the putting green closest to the next tee, and leave the green promptly after holing out. Wait until the next tee to record your score.