Pace of Play
Player Behaviour: It is acknowledged that it is wrong to think that players are the cause of all issues relating to pace of play, but, nevertheless, the behaviour of the players on the course needs to be examined.
There is no doubt that one group, or even one player, can create issues for all of the other players on the course by demonstrating poor 'Pace of Play'.
The guidance on this page is intended to assist players in improving their 'Pace of Play'. This section should assist in identifying why a particular player has an issue with 'Pace of Play', and allow for solutions to be offered to that player to remedy the situation.
There is no doubt that one group, or even one player, can create issues for all of the other players on the course by demonstrating poor 'Pace of Play'.
The guidance on this page is intended to assist players in improving their 'Pace of Play'. This section should assist in identifying why a particular player has an issue with 'Pace of Play', and allow for solutions to be offered to that player to remedy the situation.
Playing ability is a factor that can result in certain players taking more time to play than others. All other things being equal, it will take longer to play 95 shots than it will to play 75 shots. If four players in a group are playing 95 shots each compared to four players in another group playing 75 shots each, the difference is amplified.
Players need to be aware of their group’s position on the course, and how they are impacting on the pace of play of other groups.
The basic advice in this regard is that if a group keeps up with the group in front, the players in that group will rarely be accused of slow play. Players should always be looking forward to ensure that they are maintaining a good position in relation to the group in front, for example, making sure that they do not have an empty par 4 hole in between them.
If ground has been lost on the group in front, then all of the players in the group should take responsibility for making up that ground as quickly as possible. It is inevitable that there will be holes that take longer to play than would normally be the case, either due to bad play or some other delay, but the key is for the all the players in that group to ensure that the group gets back into position promptly.
The basic advice in this regard is that if a group keeps up with the group in front, the players in that group will rarely be accused of slow play. Players should always be looking forward to ensure that they are maintaining a good position in relation to the group in front, for example, making sure that they do not have an empty par 4 hole in between them.
If ground has been lost on the group in front, then all of the players in the group should take responsibility for making up that ground as quickly as possible. It is inevitable that there will be holes that take longer to play than would normally be the case, either due to bad play or some other delay, but the key is for the all the players in that group to ensure that the group gets back into position promptly.
If a group cannot keep its position on the course for whatever reason, and is delaying the group behind, then it should invite the group behind to play through so that group can play at the pace it is capable of.
Sometimes, if a number of groups on the course are playing slowly, playing through does not always achieve its objective, but it remains good etiquette.
Sometimes, if a number of groups on the course are playing slowly, playing through does not always achieve its objective, but it remains good etiquette.
The main criticism levelled against slow players is that such players are not ready to play when it was their turn. Being ready to play should be very easy. While taking care not to distract other players or compromise safety, all that is required is that a player should do the following while waiting for others to play:
- Walk efficiently to the ball putting their glove on in the process
- Assess the shot, including any calculation of distance the player wants to make, or line up the putt, and
- Make a decision on club selection
Various Actions Players Can Take to Improve Pace of Play
Position of Bags or Carts When players are approaching the green, golf bags or carts should be positioned to allow for quick and efficient movement off the green towards the next tee.
Marking Score Cards The marking of score cards should not be done at the green if this may delay play of the group behind. Mark score cards on the way to or at the next tee. That said, the player who is first to play from the next tee should play first and then mark the card.
Playing a Provisional Ball Ball searches and lost balls are a feature of golf, but they do cause delay. The delay can be significantly minimised if the player whose ball might be in danger of being lost has played a provisional ball. A player should play a provisional ball if they think that their ball may be out of bounds or if there is any possibility that it may be lost, other than when it is clearly in a penalty area.
Watching the Flight of the Ball Carefully The problem of lost balls can be significantly reduced if all players in a group make a conscious effort to watch each other’s shots and their own shots as carefully and as often as possible. This will result in less searching time and fewer lost balls.
'Ready Golf' is permissible in stroke play and can improve pace of play. Even if the management at a course has not made a request for players to play “ready golf”, players in stroke play can agree to do so.
Choosing an appropriate time to play If golfers want to play quickly, they should attempt to get one of the first starting times of the day and set the pace or choose a quieter time of the day when the course may be under-utilised.
Position of Bags or Carts When players are approaching the green, golf bags or carts should be positioned to allow for quick and efficient movement off the green towards the next tee.
Marking Score Cards The marking of score cards should not be done at the green if this may delay play of the group behind. Mark score cards on the way to or at the next tee. That said, the player who is first to play from the next tee should play first and then mark the card.
Playing a Provisional Ball Ball searches and lost balls are a feature of golf, but they do cause delay. The delay can be significantly minimised if the player whose ball might be in danger of being lost has played a provisional ball. A player should play a provisional ball if they think that their ball may be out of bounds or if there is any possibility that it may be lost, other than when it is clearly in a penalty area.
Watching the Flight of the Ball Carefully The problem of lost balls can be significantly reduced if all players in a group make a conscious effort to watch each other’s shots and their own shots as carefully and as often as possible. This will result in less searching time and fewer lost balls.
'Ready Golf' is permissible in stroke play and can improve pace of play. Even if the management at a course has not made a request for players to play “ready golf”, players in stroke play can agree to do so.
Choosing an appropriate time to play If golfers want to play quickly, they should attempt to get one of the first starting times of the day and set the pace or choose a quieter time of the day when the course may be under-utilised.
While all of the guidance relating to being ready to play, positioning of bags and carts, etc. applies to all golfers regardless of physical limitations, it is important to recognise that golfers may be restricted in how quickly they can play due to their maximum walking speed. This may be particularly relevant to elderly golfers or golfers with disabilities or injuries. Common sense expectations need to be adopted.
Have you been told you are a “Slow Player”?Golfers don’t often accuse other golfers of being slow players without good reason. This will often only occur after a considerable period of frustration having observed that player causing pace of play difficulties and consistently failing to act.
Consequently, if you, on more than one occasion, have been told that you are a slow player it probably means that you are. This does not make you a bad person, and it does not give someone the right to be impolite towards you. However, it does suggest that you should take immediate positive steps to do something about it so that the same accusation is not made again.
You can do this by asking for advice from the players you play with on what it is that they believe causes you to be slow. It should then be relatively easy for you to make some minor adjustments to the way you play golf which will make you a quicker player, which will mean you are not negatively impacting on the enjoyment of other players on the course, and which will make you a more enjoyable person to play with.
Importantly, you are more likely to enjoy your golf without feeling the pressure of being scrutinised by your fellow players.
Consequently, if you, on more than one occasion, have been told that you are a slow player it probably means that you are. This does not make you a bad person, and it does not give someone the right to be impolite towards you. However, it does suggest that you should take immediate positive steps to do something about it so that the same accusation is not made again.
You can do this by asking for advice from the players you play with on what it is that they believe causes you to be slow. It should then be relatively easy for you to make some minor adjustments to the way you play golf which will make you a quicker player, which will mean you are not negatively impacting on the enjoyment of other players on the course, and which will make you a more enjoyable person to play with.
Importantly, you are more likely to enjoy your golf without feeling the pressure of being scrutinised by your fellow players.
Preferred LiesAs the Winter conditions have slowly crept up on us and Local Rules coming into effect, there have been many questions from members seeking clarification on the "Preferred Lies" rule. More specifically, Preferred Lies on 'closely mown' areas in the general area of the course.
To further explain this Local Rule, the GFGC Committee have taken wording from the R&A Rules of Golf to ensure advice that we give are within the 'Rules of Golf' and ensures all competition scoring is correct, valid and not in violation of the governing body. So whilst this rule is in place, please ensure you abide and be guided by the following definition of the rule. Rule 8: Model Local Rules
E: Special Relief Procedures E-3: Preferred Lies Purpose of Rule: When temporary abnormal conditions might interfere with fair play, the affected parts of the course can be defined as ground under repair. But adverse conditions such as prolonged rains or extreme heat can sometimes damage the course or prevent use of heavy mowing equipment.
When such conditions are widespread on the course, the Committee can choose to adopt a Local Rule for "preferred lies" to allow fair play or help protect some or all fairways. Such a Local Rule should be withdrawn as soon as conditions allow. Local Rule: When a player's ball lies in the general area cut to fairway height or less, the ball may be lifted, cleaned and replaced without penalty. The player must mark the spot of the ball before lifting it (see Rule 14.1) and the ball must be replaced on its original spot (see Rule 14.2).
Definition: 'fairway height or less' is a closely-mown area in the general area of the course that is cut to fairway height or less and includes paths cut through the rough and the fringe/apron around the green. If the ball does not lie on a closely-mown area, the player cannot take a preferred lie. |
Ball MarkingWhen the Growling Frog Golf Course Committee implement the Local Rule of Preferred Lies, Rule 14 of the Rules of Golf must be followed to ensure the procedure is done correctly, without rule infringement.
Rule 14: Procedures for Ball: Marking, Lifting and Cleaning; Replacing on Spot; Dropping in Relief Area; Playing from Wrong Place
Purpose of Rule: Rule 14 covers when and how the player may mark the spot of a ball at rest and lift and clean the ball and how to put a ball back into play so that the ball is played from the right place.
When a lifted or moved ball is to be replaced, the same ball must be set down on its original spot. When taking free relief or penalty relief, a substituted ball or the original ball must be dropped in a particular relief area. A mistake in using these procedures may be corrected without penalty before the ball is played, but the player gets a penalty if they play the ball from the wrong place. Key Procedures to Note
14.1 Marking, Lifting and Cleaning Ball This Rule applies to the deliberate “lifting” of a player’s ball at rest. This may be done in any way, which includes picking up the ball by hand, rotating it or otherwise deliberately causing it to move from its spot. 14.2 Replacing Ball on Spot This Rule applies whenever a ball is lifted or moved and a Rule requires it to be replaced on a spot. 14.3 Dropping Ball in Relief Area This Rule applies whenever a player must drop a ball in taking relief under a Rule, including when the player must complete taking relief by placing a ball under Rule 14.3c(2). If the player improves the relief area before or when dropping a ball, see Rule 8.1. 14.6 Making Next Stroke from Where Previous Stroke Made This Rule applies whenever a player is required or allowed under the Rules to make the next stroke from where a previous stroke was made (such as, when taking stroke-and-distance relief, or playing again after a stroke that is cancelled or otherwise does not count). |
Unplayable BallAs we will have all experienced an Unplayable Ball situation, especially at The Frog, many people do not know the correct way to get relief within the Rules of Golf.
This section sets out the rule, the options you have for relief, and how to apply them without rule infringement. Rule 19: Unplayable Ball
Purpose of Rule: Rule 19 covers the player’s several relief options for an unplayable ball. This allows the player to choose which option to use – normally with one penalty stroke – to get out of a difficult situation anywhere on the course (except in a penalty area).
Key Procedures to Note
19.1 Player May Decide to Take Unplayable Ball Relief Anywhere Except Penalty Area A player is the only person who may decide to treat their ball as unplayable by taking penalty relief under Rule 19.2 or 19.3. Unplayable ball relief is allowed anywhere on the course, except in a penalty area. If a ball is unplayable in a penalty area, the player’s only relief option is to take penalty relief under Rule 17. 19.2 Relief Options for Unplayable Ball in General Area or on Putting Green A player may take unplayable ball relief using one of the three options in Rule 19.2a, b or c, in each case adding one penalty stroke. 19.2/1 No Guarantee Ball Will Be Playable After Taking Unplayable Ball Relief 19.2/2 Ball May Be Dropped in Any Area of the Course When Taking Unplayable Ball Relief 19.2/5 Player Must Find Ball to Use Back-on-the-Line or Lateral Relief Options 19.2a Stroke-and-Distance Relief 19.2b Back-on-the-Line Relief 19.2c Lateral Relief 19.3 Relief Options for Unplayable Ball in Bunker 19.3a Normal Relief Options (One Penalty Stroke) 19.3b Extra Relief Option (Two Penalty Strokes) |