2021 Junior Tour of Northern California

Pace of Play Policy

 

Scorecards have printed on them the MAXIMUM allowable time to complete the play of each hole based on a group’s scheduled starting time.  These times are established based on the difficulty of the course and the ability of the field.  They include time to search for lost balls and deal with other common occurrences encountered during play.  A normal speed of play should result in completing play FASTER than the time indicated on the scorecard.  If a group falls behind, they must play efficient golf and make up the lost time. This might mean playing ready golf or continuous putting, which are both permitted in stroke play.  It is the PLAYERS’ RESPONSIBILITY to know their group’s position relative to the published Pace of Play and to ensure they play within the published limits.  Failure to play within the Pace of Play guidelines will result in a penalty of two strokes. The Rules Committee may communicate with groups throughout the round regarding their pace of play position, but are not required to do so. THERE ARE NO OFFICIAL WARNINGS UNDER THIS POLICY.

 

LEAD GROUP(S): The lead group(s) must finish their round within the maximum allowable time established by the Committee.  If they finish over their maximum allowable time, each player will be assessed a penalty of two strokes to their score for the final hole. 

 

Exception: If the lead group is delayed by play that was sent out before them or that began on the opposite starting hole, they will be exempt from penalty if they finish over their maximum allowable time but within 14 minutes of the group in front of them.

 

FOLLOWING GROUPS:  Any subsequent group must finish their round within the maximum allowable time established by the Committee.  If they finish over the maximum allowable time, they must finish within 14 minutes of the group in front of them.  If they finish over the maximum allowable time and more than 14 minutes behind the group in front of them, each player will be assessed a penalty of two strokes to their score for the final hole.

 

EXEMPTION FROM PENALTY:  If a group does not finish within their maximum allowable time or within 14 minutes of the preceding group due to circumstances which the Committee deems to be exceptional, the Committee MAY determine not to assess the penalty.

 

GROUPS MAY BE MONITORED:  If a player believes that the group is being delayed by the play of another player(s) in the group the player should first address the issue with the player(s) involved.  If this discussion was ineffective, the player may request a Tournament Official on the course to have the group monitored.  The Committee may also monitor a group that is failing to play within the maximum allowable time, whether or not a player has requested it.  If the Committee identifies that a player(s) in the group is the cause of the group failing to maintain pace of play and determines other players are playing within the requirements of this policy, those meeting the requirements of this policy may be absolved from penalty while others may not.

 

UNREASONABLE DELAY: If the Committee determines that a group or player(s) in a group are failing to play in accordance with the established guidelines severely disrupting the play of other players or following groups, the player(s) or group may be subject to penalty for unreasonable delay.  Penalties for unreasonable delay are independent of penalties issued under the above pace of play policy (see Rule 5.6a).

 

 

The JTNC Committee reserves the right to review all penalty situations.