Pace of Play
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​​On the Course

 

• All players must maintain their place in the field, which is immediately behind the group in front and not ahead of the group behind. This is a group responsibility and not an individual one. All members should be proactive in addressing the slow play problem.

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• Despite your best efforts, should your group fall a clear hole behind, on two or more consecutive holes, (e.g. you are on the tee of a par 4 or 5 and the group ahead has already left the green) and you are holding up the group behind you, invite them to play through (irrespective of the number of players in that group).   Respect local rules regarding par 3 call through holes.

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• No more than three minutes is allowed to search for a ball. If you can’t find your ball in 3 minutes you must proceed by enforcing the golf rules governing the conditions under which your ball was lost. If more than one ball needs to be found, split up and search for all the balls at the same time. 

 

• If you hit a ball that you think may be hard to find, or it may be out of bounds, hit a provisional ball, not forgetting to identify it.

 

• Go to your ball and get ready to hit your next shot as soon as it is feasible, i.e. not impeding another player’s shot or endangering yourself. Don’t always wait for your mate to play before going to your ball. 

 

• Short hitters to tee off first when players ahead are out of range.

 

• Walk briskly between shots.

 

• When your buggy is on the buggy path, take more than one club to the ball.

 

• When around the green, carry both the club you will be chipping with and your putter.

 

• Leave your golf bag, buggy or cart strategically placed to side of the green nearest the next tee. 

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• Buggy users should be particularly aware of the extra time taken in sharing a buggy and look for ways to speed up play, for example, move ahead of walkers to look for possibly lost balls, try to position the buggy for easy access when leaving the green to reduce the number of times that you have to get in and out. 

 

• Always conduct yourself in a disciplined manner. Try and demonstrate courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive you may be – this is essentially the Society's ethos and, of course, the spirit of the game.

 

On the Green

 

• When you reach the green, move to your ball and repair any pitch marks. Where possible, line up your putt prior to your turn to putt. 

 

• If your ball needs to be marked, then do it as quickly as you can. Anticipate the requirements of your fellow player. Move back and line up your putt. 

 

• If playing stableford and you can no longer score on that hole, pick up your ball and let others continue.  However, if you want to record points, you must hole out.  "Gimmies" are not allowed.

 

• Players should proceed to the next tee without delay. The following group should be waiting to play their approach shots, so the path taken to the next tee should be borne in mind. Think ahead; leave your cart or buggy in a place where you won’t be hindering the following players.

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Marking Cards

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• Cards should be marked as quickly as possible after completing the hole, but it is best to mark the cards at the next tee. Please mark your card when it is not your turn to play and remember, at all times your place in the field is immediately behind the group in front and not in front of the group behind.