Pace of play is a very important aspect of playing on the GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour. The tour strongly suggests that all players play "ready golf" from tee to green. The idea of ready golf is that if you are ready to hit while other players are not, then let your playing partners know you are going ahead and hit your shot. All players are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to putt out when possible.
Rule 6-7 states, in part: The player shall play without undue delay in accordance with any pace of play guidelines which may be laid down by The Committee, and thereafter prescribes penalties for slow play. In order to prevent any such penalty, we suggest that you review carefully the following guidelines.
Although the GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour does not wish to apply penalties for undue delay, a group should take no more than the allotted time per round as determined by the GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour Commissioner. It is imperative that players recognize their position on the golf course. The GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour hopes these new changes will make the game more enjoyable for everyone.
1. Expected Pace of Play - As defined on scorecard. Times on each hole reflect the finish times of the hole.
2. Penalties
One bad timing of more than 35 seconds warning
A second bad timing 1 stroke penalty
A third bad timing 2 stroke penalty
A fourth bad timing Disqualification
If a group in question regains its proper position, any previous timings of more than 35 seconds will be carried over for the remainder of that round in the event that the group requires additional monitoring.
DEFINITIONS
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 the prescribed schedule.
Any following group will be considered out of position if it (a) is taking more that the allotted time to play, as per the times on the scorecard, and (b) reaches the tee of a par-3 hole and the preceding group has cleared the next tee; reaches the tee of a par-4 hole and the putting green is clear; or reaches the tee of a par-5 hole when the preceding group is on the putting green. Both (a) and (b) must apply for a group to be out of position.
TIMING
The tour staff will constantly monitor the
golf course to ensure that all groups are staying in position. If a group
is found to be out of position, that group will be put on the clock.
The Group may not be notified when they are being timed but the
tour staff will inform them of their status any time they are asked.
Contestants are responsible for maintaining their position on the course. The position of the group behind has no bearing in determining whether or not a group's pace of play is satisfactory.
Each player in the group is expected to play a stroke within 35 seconds. The timing of a players stroke will begin when he has had reasonable opportunity to reach his ball, it is his turn to play and he can play without interference or distraction.
Except on the putting green, if a player has reached his ball, it is his turn to play, and there are no distractions, timing will begin after he has had reasonable time to select his club. Time spent walking backward and forward for determining yardages will count as part of the time taken for the next stroke.
On the putting
green, timing will begin after a player has been allowed a reasonable
amount of time to lift, clean and replace his ball, repair his ball mark
and other ball marks on his line of putt, and remove loose impediments on
his line of putt. Time spent
looking at the line from beyond the hole and/or behind the ball will count
as part of the time taken for the next stroke.
TIME PAR
Time par is the amount of time the GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour
Commissioner expects
all players to complete a round. This will be expressed on a per hole
basis and an overall time for 18 holes. In part, time par is established
with the understanding that more than 35 seconds is excessive to play a
shot without distractions and over 4.5 hours is too long for a competitive
round of golf.
FACTORS IN
DETERMINING TIME PAR
Listed are factors the Commissioner takes into
consideration in creating a fair time par at each event:
Difficulty of course
Length of course
Length between holes
Conditions of competition
Pace of play history for course
RULINGS OR OTHER
INCIDENTS
If a ruling or some other legitimate delay occurs which causes the group in question to lose its position, that group is expected to regain its position within a reasonable time.
Also, here are some tips for all players to observe to help us in our pace of play:
Plan your shot while walking to your ball or while others are playing.
Be ready to play when it is your turn.
Walk briskly between shots or drive the cart without undue delay.
Proceed directly to your golf ball; don't follow others unless assisting in a search.
Take several clubs with you to your ball so you won't have to walk back to the cart.
Don't step off yardage for every single golf shot; develop an "eye" for distance.
Be efficient with your pre-shot routine and take only one practice swing.
Play a provisional ball if you think the original might be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds.
Once again, please putt out when possible and play READY golf!
The GOLF CHANNEL Amateur Tour reserves the right to adjust the Pace of Play Policy for any event.