2007 Pace of Play Policy

The Rules of Golf require that a player shall, at all times, play without undue delay (Rule 6-7). Rule 6-7 states, in part: “For the purpose of preventing slow play, the Committee may, in the conditions of a competition (Rule 33-1), establish pace of play guidelines including maximum periods of time allowed to complete a stipulated round, a hole or a stroke.” In accordance with Rule 6-7, the RCGA has adopted the following pace of play guidelines.

“Out of Position” defined – Stroke Play

The first group to start will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round, they exceed the time allotted to play, as detailed on the applicable course’s Pace of Play Time Chart (Time Par). Time Par will be established at each course for groups of two players, three players or four players.
The second and third groups to start will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round, they (a) exceed the allotted time to play and (b) arrive at the teeing ground of a hole that is open and free of play.
Any subsequent group will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round, they arrive at the teeing ground of a hole that is open and free of play.

“Out of Position” defined – Match Play

The first match to start will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round it exceeds the time allotted to play, as detailed on the applicable course’s Pace of Play Time Chart (Time Par).
Subsequent matches will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round, they (a) exceed the allotted time to play and (b) arrive at the teeing ground of a hole that is open and free of play.

Monitoring of groups

A group that is out of position will be so informed by the Committee prior to monitoring and timing. However, the Committee reserves the right to time any group that the Committee deems is out of position, whether or not the group has been informed.

Timing

The timing of a player’s stroke will begin when it is her turn to play and she can play without interference or distraction. Any time spent determining yardages will count as 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 mark, lift, clean and replace her ball, repair her ball mark and other ball marks on her line of putt and remove loose impediments on her line of putt.
Any player in a group which is out of position shall be penalized for undue delay if, during the round, she twice takes 40 seconds or more to play a stroke.

An extra 10 seconds will be allowed for:

1. the first player to play a stroke on a par-3 hole;
2. the first player to play a second stroke on a par-4 or par-5 hole (when attempting to reach the putting green);
3. the first player to play a third stroke on a par-5 hole; or
4. the first player to play on or around the putting green.

If a group, which is out of position, regains its position, timing of players will cease. Timing may recommence if the group subsequently falls out of position, in which case any recorded timing exceeding 40 seconds anytime during the round will be carried over throughout the round. Such groups out of position will not be notified of monitoring and timing unless asked by the player(s).

Undue delay can also occur between strokes (such as by walking too slowly) and between the play of two holes.

Penalties

Stroke play: Any player in a group out of position who exceeds 40 seconds to play a stroke on two occasions will be informed as soon as practicable that she has been penalized one stroke. If the player exceeds 40 seconds to play a stroke on two more occasions while the group remains or has again become out of position (a total of four), she will be informed as soon as practicable that she has been penalized an additional two strokes. If the player exceeds 40 seconds to play a stroke on two more occasions while the group remains or has again become out of position (a total of six), she will be informed as soon as practicable that she has been disqualified.

Match play: Any player in a match out of position who exceeds 40 seconds to play a stroke on two occasions will be informed as soon as practicable that she has lost the hole at which the second excess time was recorded. If the player exceeds 40 seconds to play a stroke on two more occasions while the group remains or has again become out of position (a total of four), she will be informed as soon as practicable that she has forfeited the match.

2007 Rules of Golf Committee – Royal Canadian Golf Association