Pace of Play Policy

Rule 5.6b

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.

In match play, players may agree that one of them will play out of turn to save time. In stroke play, players may play "ready golf" in a safe and responsible way.

Allotted Time

Groups are expected to play at no more than the allotted time published for the event.

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 its allotted time.

Any following group will be considered out of position if:

1. The group is taking more than the allotted time to play, and
2. The group reaches the tee of a par-3 hole and the hole is clear, fails to clear the tee of a par-4 hole before the preceding group clears the putting green, or arrives at the teeing ground of a par-5 hole when the preceding group is on the putting green.

Both conditions (a) and (b) must apply for a group to be considered out of position.

Group Notification

Groups may be notified when they are out of position and given an opportunity to regain their position.

If a ruling or some other legitimate delay causes a group to lose its position, that group is expected to regain its position within a reasonable amount of time (within two holes).

If a group fails to regain its position, it will be notified and become subject to timing.

Timing Procedures

A group may be monitored or timed for compliance with this Pace of Play Policy if it is considered out of position.

When a group is out of position, each player is expected to play any stroke within 40 seconds.

Timing a Stroke

Other than on the putting green, timing begins when:

• The player has had a reasonable opportunity to reach the ball.
• It is the player's turn to play.
• The player can play without interference or distraction.

Time spent determining yardage counts as part of the time taken for the next stroke.

Timing on the Putting Green

Timing begins after a player has been allowed a reasonable amount of time to:

• Lift, clean, and replace the ball.
• Repair a ball mark.
• Repair other ball marks on the line of putt.
• Remove loose impediments on the line of putt.

Time spent examining the line from beyond the hole or behind the ball counts as part of the time taken for the next stroke.

Committee Authority

Players should also be aware that the Committee may assess a "bad time" to a player in an out-of-position group if that player makes no effort to help the group regain position.

An example would be a player who unduly delays play between shots.

Pace of Play Penalties

The following penalties apply, in sequence, to any player in an out-of-position group who takes more than 40 seconds to play a stroke when it is their turn to play:

1. 1st Bad Timing: Warning
2. 2nd Bad Timing: One-Stroke Penalty
3. 3rd Bad Timing: Additional Two-Stroke Penalty
4. 4th Bad Timing: Disqualification

Repeated violations of the Pace of Play Policy may result in disqualification from the competition.