PACE OF PLAY

Our Club encourages the playing of ‘ready golf’ to support the pace of play, that is, provided it is safe to do so, a player may play their ball when ready even if to do so results in the player playing ’out of turn’.

Players should endeavour to play at a good pace. It is a group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front. A round of golf should take no longer than 4 hours and 15 minutes. 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. Generally, 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.

Players should be ready to play as soon as it is their turn to play. Members should be able to prepare for and play their shot within 40 seconds. The following suggestions should be adopted by members preparing for their next shot whilst other players are playing, being mindful of not distracting the other player.

• 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
• Ensure your pre-shot routine is efficient, limiting practice swings to not more than 2 swings
• It is recommended that players sharing a golf cart determine the most efficient manner in which to play, with the player to play second to either walk or drive to their ball whilst the other player is preparing to play.

When playing on or near the putting green, members and/or their guests should leave their bags or carts in a position that will enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee. When the play of a hole is completed, players should immediately leave the putting green. Players should not remain on the green or green surrounds to mark scorecards but to do so in transit to or at the next tee box.

If a player believes their ball may be lost or is out of bounds, to save time, they should play a provisional ball. Players searching for a ball have a time limit of 3 minutes and if practicable signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found. Having allowed a group behind to play through, the first group should not continue play until that group which was called through has passed and is out of range.