With our numbers regularly reaching 50 players it is important that every player plays their part to keep the game moving and give considerations to the groups at the back of the field.
Next to handicapping and rules, the pace of play has been a topic of conversation for a long time. We should be able to complete 4 ball play within 4 hours and 4hours 30 minutes at the back of the group, that’s 15 minutes per hole. Rounds approaching 6 hours, as happened at St Mellion, are unacceptable. Whilst the guidelines below may only save a few seconds, the seconds soon become minutes and multiplied by the number of shots and the number of players, these minutes become hours for the groups of at the back.
- Keep up with the group in front, you should finish your round no more than 10 minutes behind the group in front.
- Be ready to play your shot as soon as your playing partner has played.
- Play “Ready Golf”. Players should play when they are ready.
- Hitting a shot when safe to do so if a player farther away faces a challenging shot and is taking time to assess their options.
- Shorter hitters playing first from the tee or fairway if longer hitters have to wait.
- Hitting a tee shot if the person with the honour is delayed in being ready to play.
- Hitting a shot before helping someone to look for a lost ball.
- Putting out even if it means standing close to someone else’s line.
- Hitting a shot if a person who has just played from a bunker is still farthest from
the hole but is delayed due to raking the bunker. - When a player’s ball has gone over the back of a green, any player closer to the
hole but chipping from the front of the green should play while the other player is
having to walk to their ball and assess their shot. - As you approach the green look to see where the next tee is and place your clubs on that side of the green, do not leave your clubs at the front of the green.
- Marking scores upon immediate arrival at the next tee, except that the first
player to tee off marks their card immediately after teeing off. - Lost Ball. You are responsible for your ball and you have 3 minutes to find it. The search must be timed so wear a watch. Once 3 minutes is up, the ball is lost and cannot be played even if subsequently found.
- Find your own ball first and then, if there is time, help your opponents find theirs.
- Practicing on the course is not allowed, if you cannot score you must pick up, that includes retaking a missed putt.
- Members are encouraged to report incidences of slow play to the committee.
- If your group has a problem with a ruling, do not stop play. In most cases it can be dealt with after the round.
- Do not be offended if your playing partners suggest you are slow, it probably means you are and you should speed up.