TEAM COMPETITION PACE OF PLAY POLICY

Players should play at a prompt pace during the championship. To encourage and enforce prompt play, the Committee has established the following Pace of Play Policy (Rule 5.6b).

Pace of Play Policy    

Maximum Allowable Time

Maximum allowable time is the MAXIMUM time deemed necessary by the Committee for a match to complete its stipulated round. This is expressed in a per-hole and aggregate time format on the time chart.

• A match’s maximum allowable time begins at its assigned tee time, or if the tee time is delayed, at the adjusted tee time.
• Time associated with playing the game, e.g., for rulings and walking times between holes, is included in all maximum allowable times.

Four-ball matches will be expected to play in not more than a 4 hour and 54 minute pace for an 18-hole match. Foursomes matches will be expected to play in not more than a 4 hour and 6 minute pace for an 18-hole match. Singles matches will be expected to play in not more than a 3 hour and 58 minute pace for an 18-hole match.

Definition of "Out of Position"

A match is out of position when it takes more than the maximum allowable time to finish a hole and:

a) Reaches a par-3 that is clear of play and all players in the match ahead have played from the teeing area of the next hole.

b) Reaches a par-4 that becomes clear of play before any player plays a stroke from the teeing area.

c) Reaches a par-5 after any player in the match ahead has made a stroke on the putting green.

Note: If a ruling or some other legitimate delay occurs which causes the match in question to be out of position, that match is expected to regain its position within a reasonable time.

The walking referee with each match can be a source of information about the match’s pace of play. A player may ask the referee at any time about the match’s pace of play status. Each referee has been instructed to proactively alert the match if it is approaching an out of position status as defined herein.

Timing

When the Committee determines that a match (or individual) will be timed, all players (or a specified individual) in the match will be notified by a Rules Rover. The Rules Rover will also notify both Captains.

• Other than on the putting green, the timing of a player's stroke will begin when it is her turn to play and she can play without interference or distraction. Time spent determining yardage and other conditions (such as wind) will count as time taken for the next stroke.
• On the putting green, the actions allowed under Rule 13.1 are not included in the timing of a player’s stroke, provided the player is not unreasonably delaying play. However, time spent surveying the line of play from any angle will count as time taken for the stroke.
• A player is permitted a maximum of 40 seconds to play a stroke. (Note: This 40-second time limit includes the first player to play from the teeing ground, fairway, or near or on the putting green.)
• A player is considered to have made a bad time only when the player exceeds 40 seconds, plus an additional 10 percent timing margin. A player will be informed of a bad time as soon as possible.
• A Rules Rover will not advise a match that it has regained its proper position on the course and is no longer being timed. As previously noted, a player may inquire at any time regarding the match’s pace of play status.

Regardless of position, if the Pace of Play Committee determines that a player(s) in the match is delaying play of their own match, any subsequent match, or the competition in general:

• The player(s) may be spoken to and/or timed by a Rules Rover.
• The penalty for breach of Rule 5.6a (Unreasonable Delay of Play) may be applied.
• The Committee reserves the right to put a match, or individual player “on the clock” regardless of whether the match is out of position.

Pace of Play Penalties

The following are the penalty structures, in sequence for players who receive bad times while being timed (“on the clock”):

Foursomes and Singles:

• 1st bad time exceeding the allotted time – Warning
• 2nd bad time – Loss of hole
• 3rd bad time – Loss of hole
• 4th bad time – Disqualification

Four-Ball:

• 1st bad time by either player on the side – Warning to the side
• 2nd bad time by either player on the side – The side loses the hole
• 3rd bad time by either player on the side – The side loses the hole
• 4th bad time by either player on the side – The side is disqualified

Note: If a match being timed regains its proper position, any previous “bad times” will be carried over for the remainder of that match.

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