Rule 6-7. 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." Summary When a group is out of position at any check-point the group is in breach of this policy. Each player in an out of position group is subject to a penalty when the group is in breach at a check-point hole of their stipulated round. The following sequence applies for a group that is out of position. Check-points
will be on completion (flagstick in the hole) of the 9th and 18th
holes.
ALLOTTED TIME The amount of time to complete each 9 holes will depend on the golf course and the number of players playing in each group. Generally speaking it should take a group of 2 players no longer than 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete 9 holes, a group of 3 players no longer than 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete 9 holes and a group of 4 players no longer than 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete 9 holes. The allotted time will vary from event to event and will be based on the above mentioned variables. When a group falls behind - whatever the reason - it must regain its position. Time for ball searches, rulings, and walking time between holes is included in the allotted time.
DEFINITION OF OUT OF POSITION FIRST GROUP: The first group is out of position if at any time during the round the group completes play on a hole (replaces the flagstick) later than the time scheduled in the time chart. FOLLOWING GROUPS: A following group is out of position if it (A) has taken longer than the allotted time to play and (B) completes play of its 9th hole more than 14 minutes after the preceding group, or completes play of its 18th hole more than 14 minutes after the preceding group.
PACE OF PLAY PENALTIES When a group is out of position upon completion of its first 9 holes, each player in the group is subject to a penalty of one stroke for a breach of these guidelines. When a group is out of position upon completion of its second 9 holes, each player in the group is subject to a penalty of one stroke for a first breach or a penalty of two strokes for a second breach (making a total penalty of three strokes after a second breach in the same round). Penalty strokes apply to the 9th or the 18th hole or to both should there be a second breach.
MONITORING OF PLAY AND VERIFICATION OF PACE The Committee will have officials on the course to monitor play, to verify the pace of groups when asked, and to advise players of any pace of play penalties they may have incurred upon completion of the 9th and 18th holes. A player concerned about a non-responsive player in his group should request an official to monitor the group in case penalties are incurred and appealed.
APPEALS Before returning his scorecard, a player may appeal pace of play penalties to the Committee. An appeal will be considered only if: (A) the player was delayed by the Committee; or (B) the player was delayed by a circumstance beyond control of the player or the group; or (C) the player was delayed by another player in the group |
