WA GOLF
PACE OF PLAY POLICY
SHOTGUN STARTS

Rule 5.6a. Unreasonable Delay of Play states: “A player must not unreasonably delay play, either when playing a hole or between two holes.”

 

Rule 5.6b. Prompt Pace of Play states: “A round of golf is meant to be played at a prompt pace. Each player should recognize that his or her pace of play is likely to affect how long it will take other players to play their rounds, including both those in the player’s own group and those in following groups.”

 

Rule 5.6b(I). Pace of Play Recommendations states: “The player should play at a prompt pace throughout the round, including the time taken to:

• Prepare for and make each stroke,
• Move from one place to another between strokes, and
• Move to the next teeing area after completing a hole.

A player should prepare in advance for the next stroke and be ready to play when it is his or her turn. When it is the player’s turn to play:

• It is recommended that the player make the stroke in no more than 40 seconds after he or she is (or should be) able to play without interference or distractions, and
• The player should usually be able to play more quickly than that and is encouraged to do so.”

Summary
Players are expected to adhere to the pace of play recommendations outlined in Rule 5.6b(I) as well as complete play of each hole in the time determined by the on-site Championship Committee. When a group is out of position at any point during the round, the players in the group are subject to penalty under these guidelines.

 

Definition “Out of Position”
A group is out of position if it:

(a) Takes more than the allotted time to complete a hole and
(b) Reaches the tee of a par-3 hole and the preceding group has cleared the next tee; reaches the tee of a par-4 hole and the putting green is clear; or reaches the tee of a par-5 hole when the preceding group is on the putting green.

Group Out of Position
An out of position group may be monitored and timed. Anytime a group is being monitored and timed they will be notified of such timing by a Rules Rover.

 

The following are the penalties, in sequence, for any player in a group being timed who takes more than the allotted time (see below) to play a stroke after timing of the player’s stroke begins:

 

• 1st breach – warning
• 2nd breach – 1 stroke penalty
• 3rd breach – 2 stroke penalty

• 4th breach – disqualification

 

Timing
When a group is being monitored and timed each player is expected to play any stroke within 40 seconds after timing of the player’s stroke begins.

 

Other than on the putting green, the timing of a player’s stroke will begin when he/she has had a reasonable opportunity to reach his/her ball, it is his/her turn to play and he/she 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 his/her ball, repair his/her ball mark and other ball marks on his/her line of putt, and remove loose impediments from his/her 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 1: The Committee reserves the right, at any time, to monitor or time a group when the Committee deems it necessary. Players should also be aware that the Committee may assess a “bad time” to a player in a group that is out of position if the player makes no effort to help his/her group get back in position. An example of this would be a player who delays play between shots.

 

NOTE 2: If the group in question regains its proper position, any previous breach of these guidelines will be carried over for the remainder of that stipulated round in the event that the group requires additional monitoring.
 

Player’s Rights
Any player may appeal the penalty at scoring.

A player concerned about a non-responsive fellow-competitor in his/her group should request a Rules Rover to monitor the group in case the group is/or becomes subject to penalty under these guidelines.

 

Final Determination Regarding Breach / Review Process
All breaches will be reviewed at scoring by the Pace of Play Committee. If the player/group appeals the penalty, the Pace of Play Committee will consider only the following in an appeal:

(a) The player was delayed by the Committee; or

(b) The player was delayed by a circumstance beyond the control of the player or the group; or

(c) The player was delayed by another player in the group.

A player who was out of position during his/her round and who elects not to consult with the Pace of Play Committee to determine whether he/she was in breach of these guidelines is considered to have been in breach of these guidelines and to have incurred a penalty or penalties according to the above schedule of penalties. If a group is subject to penalty, all penalties will be applied to the hole where the breach occurred.