Pace of Play Policy

 

The Tour has instituted a Pace of Play Policy in accordance with Rule 6-7 of the USGA® Rules of Golf, Undue Delay, which leaves the responsibility for maintaining the pace of play where it belongs, with the player. The players in the first group of the field must play in 2 hours 15 minutes or less per nine holes. All subsequent groups must finish the checkpoints within the parameters listed below.

Scorecards will have the expected time each group is to complete each hole. If the group falls behind, it is expected to "TAKE THE PLEDGE" and get back into position knowing that their player experience and the rest of the field is riding on their pairing. This means playing ready golf and/or continuous putting which are both allowed in stroke play.

 

The Pace of Play Policy utilizes a two-checkpoint system. There are two things to keep in mind:

• Players will not always receive warnings from the tour or course staff so understanding your pace is vital. 
• Each group is responsible for monitoring its own pace and committing to beating their expected time. 

To avoid penalty, groups must complete each checkpoint hole:

• Under the allotted time on the scorecard, OR
• Within 14 minutes of the group ahead.

 

 

PENALTIES

On Course and or Post Round Warning= 1-2 stroke penalty to each player in the group if a Marshall identifies you are not consistently in the proper pace position with the group in front of you, more than a hole behind at any time during your round, or make the turn or finish your round more than 14 minutes from the group in front of you.

Any player who receives a Scoring P.O.P warning will be placed in one of the final tee times at the next event.

 

Any player who commits 3 or more P.O.P warnings in a season is subject to a part time Tour suspension. 

 

 

CONCERNED PLAYERS AND APPEALS

 

A player concerned about slow player(s) in a group should first remind that player of the pace of play policy and encourage them to play more efficiently. The concerned player may, before or after penalties are assessed, request an Official to monitor the group. If a player is identified as holding up the pace of the group, penalties may be applied to that player and rescinded from the others.  Appeals for exceptional situations will be considered only in the scoring area after the completion of the round and prior to the return of a player’s scorecard.

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Rule 6-7 of the USGA® Rules of Golf, 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.”

 

Pace of Play Tips

• Be ready to play when it is your turn.
• Play ready golf when falling behind pace, if okay with your playing partners agree to the entire round.
• Putt out on missed putts if you are not in somebody’s line, do not mark 3 footers or less. Finish while you know the read. 
• If your cart partner is preparing to play and your ball is at a reasonable walking distance then walk to your ball to get yardage so that you are ready to choose a club and play when your cart partner pulls up to your ball.
• Do not out away your club from a previous shot until you arrive at you or your cart partners next shot, get into the cart with your clubs. 
• Proceed directly to your golf ball; do not follow others unless assisting in a search.
• If a playing partner is searching for their ball, play yours first to save time and then aid for no more than 3 minutes per lost ball. 
• If your playing partner play a bunker shot and will still be away, offer to rake the bunker so they can keep pace.  
• If carts are on the path, estimate your yardage from the path and then take several clubs with you to your ball so you will not have to walk back to the cart.
• Always play a provisional ball if you think the original might be lost or out of bounds. Avoid going back to the tee. 
• Call out your score while you are walking off the green and don’t write in or record your score until you arrive at the next tee box. Help clear the green side area so that group behind you can play up without waiting for you to drive off.