SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GOLF ASSOCIATION - Pace of Play Policy

Rule 6-7 states, in part:  “The player shall play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines which may be laid down by the Committee,” and thereafter prescribes penalties for slow play.  In order to prevent any such penalty we suggest that you review carefully the following guidelines.

Allotted Time

When play is in groups of two (stroke play), groups will be required to play at a 3 hour and 37minute pace for the 18-hole round.  When play is in groups of three (stroke play), groups will be required to play at a 4 hour and 15 minute pace for the 18-hole round. When play is in groups of four (stroke play), groups will be required to play at a 4 hour and 30 minute pace for the 18-hole round.

Definition of “Out of Position”

The first group to start will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round, the group is behind the prescribed schedule.  Any following group will be considered out of position if it (a) is taking more than the allotted time to play 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. Both (a) and (b) must apply for a group to be out of position.

Group Out of Position

If a group is out of position, an SCGA rover will monitor them.  Any group out of position WILL be informed by an SCGA Rules Rover when they are being monitored and timed.

Timing

If a group is out of position, it may be monitored or timed for failure to comply with this pace of play guideline.  When a group is out of position each player in the group is expected to play any stroke within 40 seconds after timing of the player’s stroke begins.

Other than on the putting green, timing of a player’s stroke will begin when he has had reasonable opportunity to reach his ball, it is his turn to play and he 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 ball, repair his ball mark and other ball marks on his line of putt and remove loose impediments from his 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: A player is permitted 40 seconds to play a stroke.  An extra 10 seconds (for a total of 50 seconds) will be allowed for:

(a)              the first player to play a stroke on a par-3 hole

(b)              the first player to play a second stroke on a par-4 or par-5 hole

(c)              the first player to play a third stroke on a par-5 hole

(d)              the first player to play a stroke around the putting green

(e)              the first player to play a stroke on the putting green

NOTE:  The Committee reserves the right at any time to 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 which is out of position if the player makes no effort to help his group get back in position.  An example of this would be a player who unduly delays a play between shots.

Pace of Play Penalties

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

Stroke Play

One bad time exceeding the allotted time – Warning                

A second bad time – 1 stroke penalty

A third bad time – Additional 2 stroke penalty

A fourth bad time – Disqualification

Match Play

One bad time exceeding the allotted time – Warning                

A second bad time – 1 stroke penalty

A third bad time – Loss of Hole penalty

A fourth bad time – Disqualification

NOTE: If the group in question regains its proper position, any previous timing of more than the allotted time will be carried over for the remainder of that round in the event that the group requires additional monitoring.  Any group with a player (s) who has a bad time will be notified if the group requires additional monitoring and timing during the round.

Rulings or Other Incidents

If a ruling or some other legitimate delay occurs which causes the group in question to lose its position, that group is expected to regain its position within a reasonable time.