PSMGA LOCAL RULE FOR PACE OF PLAY/
OUT-OF-POSITION
PURPOSE. Encourage and
enforce prompt pace of play. One of the most important factors in the golf
experience is pace of play- both the overall duration of the round and the
flow of play during the round. A misconception has been that the allotted
time is the pace they should play…actually this is the maximum amount of
time given to implementing pace of play timing procedures and penalties.
PSMGA wants to send one clear message to golfers…IF
YOU FALL BEHIND, YOU MUST CATCH UP.
EDUCATE. The Committee
will be available to assist with any advice to help players to play at a
prompt pace-of play and answer any and all questions regarding pace-of play/
out-of-position issues. The maximum amount of time to complete a round at
Pecan Hollow is…4 hours 30 minutes. This is based on 15 minutes per hole.
MONITORING. “Your
correct position on the course is immediately behind the group in front of
you, not immediately in front of the group behind you.” There can be several
ways to monitor pace-of play/ out-of-position.
EXAMPLES OF MONITORING:
1.
Self-assessed pace-of-play/out-of-position
control system.
2.
Monitored by the GPS system in the Pro shop.
3.
Reported by any other group of golfers on the
course.
4.
When available, a referee (Marshall)
monitoring the course.
REGULATION/OFFICIATING.
The PSMGA’s pace-of play/ out-of-position leaves the responsibility for
maintaining the pace of play where it belongs, with you, the player. If you
are the first group in the field, play efficient golf. If you are in a
following group, keep up with the group in front of you and will not have a
pace of play issue. If you fall behind, you are expected to play efficient
golf and get back into position.
In addition to the rules
that cover certain pace-of-play aspects, the Committee can deal with slow
play by placing competitors “on the clock.” This happens if a golfer is
guilty of slow play that results in their group being “out of position”,
which is often defined as being at least one hole behind the group in front.
A golfer “on the clock” has his pace of play monitored.
A group is “out of position” when it
is over the allocated time for the holes that have been played and not in
position with the previous group; i.e., the group is more that the starting
interval behind the group in front of them, or a Par 4 or Par 5 hole is open
before the group reaches the teeing area of that hole.
Therefore, at PSMGA
events, the groups that are “out of position” will be asked to “Close the
Gap” even if they are under their allotted time.
Once a group has been
reported as a slow pace-of-play or out-of-position, the Pro Shop, Referee, a
golfer, or a Committee Member will inform that group to “Close the Gap”.
At that time, that will be the first
breach (Penalty: a Warning). If that
group cannot “Close the Gap”, a second breach occurs (Penalty: 1 stroke per
player). A third breach (Penalty: 2 strokes per player. A fourth breach
occurs (Penalty: Disqualification).
If a decision is made to time
the players, each player in the group will be subject to individual timing,
and each player will be advised that they are “out of position” and they are
being timed. In exceptional circumstances, an individual player, or two
players within a group of three, may be timed instead of the entire group.
If a group that has been
identified to be more than one hole behind, that group will be informed to
skip that hole and each player will be assessed the maximum strokes for that
hole (3 over par).
It is inevitable that
there will be holes that take longer to play than would normally be the
case, either due to bad play, cart path only or some other delay. But, the
key is for all players in that group to ensure that the group gets back into
position promptly.
IMPORTANT:
As per USGA Rule 1.2 Standards of
Player Conduct, the Committee may disqualify a player for acting contrary to
the spirit of the game if it finds that the player has committed serious
misconduct. Examples of serious misconduct: repeatedly using vulgar or
offensive language, and/or being disrespectful of other players, referees or
Committee members.
An appeal process will only be considered for any DISQUALIFICATION issue.