The USGA has made Pace of Play a priority. There are now penalties in place for slow play through the rules of golf and The Views Golf Course is instituting Pace of Play policies. TVWGC is following these guidelines by encouraging “Ready Golf” in all stroke play events. Ready golf is designed to play smarter and faster.
Keep up with group in front of you. Limit your practice swings. You should take less than 40 seconds to complete your shot once it is your turn. If the marshal says you need to pick up the pace: you do. If you don’t think so, time yourself and your group to ensure you are keeping on track.
PACE OF PLAY POLICIES:
Players assistants are on the course to monitor pace of play.
DEFINITION OF OUT OF POSITION:
- When you can't see the group in front of you.
- Reaches a par-3 hole that is clear of all play, and the proceeding group is not visible.
- Reaches a par-4 or par-5 hole which is not clear of all play but which becomes clear of all play before all players in the group have played their strokes from the teeing ground.
- Reaches a par-4 or par-5 hole which is clear of all play.
- Pace of play as it relates to projected time per hole will be considered.
SAVE TIME ON TEES:
- Play tees that are right for your game.
- Be near the teeing area with your ball and tee ready when it’s your turn (don’t wait in your cart). Have an extra ball in your pocket.
- Play a provisional ball if yours may be lost or out of bounds.
- Keep an eye on everyone’s tee shot.
SAVE TIME ON THE FAIRWAY:
- Play ready golf when safe. Hit if you can’t reach the group in front of you, allowing the longer hitters to wait if necessary.
- When sharing a cart drop one player by her ball with extra clubs and drive to your ball. The first player will walk to the cart or her next shot while the 2nd player hits. When possible park your cart even with or slightly ahead of your ball.
- Return clubs to your bag when selecting the club for your next shot.
APPROACHING THE GREEN:
- Player on the green or with the shorter shot drops off the cart mate and proceeds to the green: park even with or beyond the flag location.
- Player with the longer chip should take all needed clubs and sand to fill divots between the gates and green.
ON THE GREEN:
- Mark and clean your ball quickly
- Player closest to the hole should tend or pull the flag. First player to hole out prepares to replace the flag.
- Evaluate your putt while others are putting (if you can do this without interfering with their putts)
- Putt out when possible
- Pick up when you reach your max if your score is not needed for the competition
- Leave the green quickly: replace clubs and complete scoring on the next tee.
IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE A BIT BEHIND:
Hey it happens. Someone loses a ball (or three) or has bunker trouble. Some tips to catch up: Two people of the foursome putt out and proceed to the next tee. Be proactive say “we’re a bit behind, let’s pick up the pace a bit”. Discuss pace of play options with your foursome. As soon as you putt out return to the cart and prepare to drive away when your partner gets there.
BE COURTEOUS TO YOUR FELLOW PLAYERS:
- No cell phone usage unless an emergency and tell player partners you have it on vibrate to get the call. Make it short or leave the course.
- Be quiet and still while others are hitting.
- Repair divots and ball marks; rake sand bunkers.
- Avoid slow play!
HAVE FUN OUT THERE!