Pace of Play

The Rules of Golf
Rule 6-7 states in part: “The player shall play without undo delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines which may be laid down by the committee,” and there after prescribes penalties for slow play. In order to prevent any such penalties we suggest that you review carefully the following guidelines

Tee Time
Each player is expected to arrive at the tee box 5 minutes before his or her schedule tee time. They should start teeing off at their tee time and be done no later that 5 minutes after their scheduled tee time. Not following this guideline can result in the group losing the tee time.

Allotted Time
Every effort should be made to maintain the following hole-by-hole pace of play:

Definition of "Out of Position"
The first group(s) to start will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round, the group is behind the prescribed schedule as detailed above. Any following group will be considered out of position if it (a) is taking more than the allotted time to play and (b) reaches the teeing ground of a par-3 hole and the preceding group has cleared the next tee; reaches the teeing ground of a par-4 hole and the putting green is clear; or reaches the teeing ground 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.

Play at Good Pace and Keep Up
Groups of 5 or more are not allowed to play at RHGC at any time for casual play. It is a group's responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group. This includes players playing through as a single.

Procedure For Letting A Group Play Through
Motion to the group to let them play through and wait for them to hit their tee shots. While they are walking/driving towards you, hit your next shot until they reach you. Then move off to the side and allow them to hit their shots. Let the group carry on playing until they are past your own group and out of range before your group plays their next shots.

Timing
Each player is expected to play a stroke within 40 seconds after timing of the players stroke begins. Other than on the putting green, the timing of a players stroke will begin when he has had reasonable opportunity to reach his ball, it is his/her turn to play and he/she can play without interference or distraction. Time spent determining yardage 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/her ball, repair his/her ball mark and other ball marks on his/her line of putt and remove lose impediments on his/her 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.

Tips to Speed Up Play

• Play ready golf if you find you are out of position or just need to catch up with the group ahead of you.
• Take several clubs with you when away from cart.
• If doubling up on a golf cart walk to your ball.
• Always take several clubs and putter when off the green.
• Look for balls only 5 minutes as allowed under definitions of “Lost Ball”.
• Play two balls if a rule is in question.
• When on the green, while the first player is putting, the others should be getting prepared for their putts by reading the green and aligning their balls up so when the first player is done, the next player is ready to play.
• Be ready to play as soon as it is your turn to play.
• If your ball is not in the line of a ball behind you, proceed to your ball and get ready to hit.
• Don’t walk to your ball, then walk to a yardage marker, walk back to the ball, walk to your cart for club, walk back to ball.
• Concentrate on your shot, not everyone else’s.
• If in a water hazard, drop and hit. Minimize time looking for your ball, you can look for your ball while the other players are hitting.
• Putt out short puts rather than marking your ball.
• Mark scores on the next tee box not beside the green.

Play a provisional ball
If a player believes his ball may be lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, to save time, he should play a provisional ball. Players searching for a ball should 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. They should not search for five minutes before doing so.

Conclusion; Penalties for Breach
If players follow the guidelines in this Section, it will make the game more enjoyable for everyone. If a player consistently disregards these guidelines during a round or over a period of time to the detriment of others, the RHGC Rules Committee will consider taking appropriate disciplinary action against the offending player. Such action may, for example, include prohibiting play for a limited time in RHGC competitions. This is considered to be justifiable in terms of protecting the interest of the majority of golfers who wish to play in accordance with these guidelines. In Tournament Competition, Player(s) causing slow play during the round will be warned initially by the Marshal and then assessed a penalty for each subsequent warning. In the case of a serious breach of Etiquette, the Committee may disqualify a player under Rule 33-7.