Course Play

USGA RULE 5-6 : ENCOURAGING PROMPT PACE of PLAY

Prompt Pace of Play

A round of golf is meant to be played at a prompt pace.

Your pace of play is likely to affect how long it will take other players to play their rounds, including both those in your group and those in following groups. You are encouraged to allow faster groups to play through.  It is your responsibility to stay up with the group ahead of you, not the group behind you.

Pace of Play Recommendations.

You should play at a prompt pace throughout the round, including the time taken to:

• Prepare for and make each stroke,
• Move from one place to another between strokes, and
• Move to the next teeing area after completing a hole.

You should prepare in advance for your next stroke and be ready to play when it is your turn.

When it is your turn to play:

• It is recommended that you make the stroke in no more than 40 seconds after you are (or should be) able to play without interference or distraction, and
• You should usually be able to play more quickly than that and are encouraged to do so.

Playing Out of Turn to Help Pace of Play.

In stroke play, play “ready golf” in a safe and responsible way.

In match play, you and your opponent may agree that one of you will play out of turn to save time.

Players should recognize that their pace of play affects others and they should play promptly throughout the round by preparing in advance for each stroke and moving promptly between strokes and in going to the next tee.

A player SHOULD MAKE A STROKE IN NO MORE THAN 40 SECONDS (and usually in less time) after the player is able to play without interference or distraction.

 The slowest group dictates the pace of play for everyone behind them.

• Arrive on first tee 5 minutes before your tee time. If your time is 8:00 AM, be on the tee at 7:55 ready to tee off.
• It is your responsibility to maintain the designated Pace of Play.
  • 45 minutes or less for every three holes; 
  • 2 hours and 10 minutes or less for nine holes;
  • 4 hours and 20 minutes or less for eighteen holes

• A few suggestions…
  1. If you can’t see the group ahead of you that is playing the same hole that you are, you are probably a SLOW FOURSOME. Remedy: You need to be on every tee box ready to hit when the group ahead of you has completed their second shot and are moving towards the green.
  2. If every week the group you are playing with is out of position and cannot maintain the designated Pace of Play, YOU are probably a SLOW PLAYER. Remedy: Slow play on the golf course is usually a habit that a golfer acquires over time. Or it’s the result of a golfer never having been taught proper golf etiquette. This means a slow golfer can usually be “cured” of his malady. Of course, that golfer has to be aware that he’s slow, and that’s where his fellow FCGCMA members come into play. Helping slower players should be done in a positive constructive manner. If you take an honest look at yourself you may discover you are doing some of the same things to slow down play that you were complaining about others doing. Think about this. A study by golfdigest.com showed 57% of golfers rank their own pace of play as fast, while ranking 56% of other golfers as having a slow pace of play. REALLY!!! That’s a shock. It’s always the other player.
• Maintaining the designated Pace of Play is not difficult if you pay attention to a few indicators. If the group ahead of you is walking off the green and you have not hit your tee ball you are out of position. If you can’t see the group ahead of you, you don’t need a ranger to tell you that you have fallen behind. A little common sense and a watch are all you need.