Welcome to Awali Golf Club
The Oldest Golf Course in the GCC
Local Rules
|
[This document is unauthorised – the authorised document is displayed on the Clubhouse notice board]
|
Golf at AGC is conducted under the R&A Rules Of Golf, the WHS and, as displayed on the Clubhouse Notice Board: Specific and General Terms of the Competition and Local Rules (only shaded items are shown on the scorecard).
1) Where a scorecard does not show a player’s name or playing handicap or the competition’s name or date, it is the player’s responsibility to record these details. See Committee Procedures 5A(5). There is no penalty for failure to comply.
a. TEEING AREAS AND GENERAL AREA
2) Teeing areas are defined by the extremities of the tee-box.
3) Fairways (the equivalent of the general area cut to fairway height) are defined by oiled fairway lines. These lines are part of the fairway. For the fairway in play, cold-patched, oiled and other man-made surfaces, bunker ropes and fastenings are integral objects.
4) Supported young trees, exposed irrigation systems, and areas marked “GUR” (Ground Under Repair) are no play zones (proceed under Rules 16.1(b) and 14.3). Supports for mature trees, path marker stones and groundsmen’s huts are immovable obstructions that must not be moved.
5) All oil/gas pipelines are environmentally sensitive areas, abnormal course conditions and no play zones. The edge of the no play zone is the outside edge of the outermost pipe or any related installation. Free relief must be taken (proceed under Rules 16.1(b) and 14.3). Exception: when playing the 14th, free relief must be taken by dropping the ball in the nearest Dropping Zone (proceed under Rule 14.3, reading “Relief Area” as “Dropping Zone”).
6) The player may take a “Preferred Lie” on the fairway in play. If taking a Preferred Lie, the player must mark the ball before touching it, then lift it, then place it within 15cm of where it originally lay, not nearer the hole. A player who touches the ball before marking it is subject to a one penalty stroke (see Rule 14.1a).
7) The player may use a Committee approved mat when taking a Preferred Lie or when playing within the teeing area. If taking a Preferred Lie with the use of the mat, the mat is deemed to be the ball-marker. The player must place the mat first as close as possible to the ball, then place the ball (or replace the ball any number of times) not nearer than one ball’s width from the edge of the mat. The player must not purposely move the mat after placing the ball. If the player accidentally moves the ball while taking a Preferred Lie before making a stroke, the player must replace the ball without penalty. If the placed ball does not remain at rest, proceed under Rule 14.2(e).
8) If a ball strikes an overhead wire or its support pole, the stroke is cancelled. If the stroke was made from the teeing area, the player must place another ball into play (proceed under Rules 6.2). Otherwise, the player must drop another ball into play (proceed under Rules 16.1(b) and 14.3).
9) The minimum requirements for a mat to gain Committee approval are:
Flat, round, between 30cm and 31cm in diameter, maximum total thickness 4cm. No wear, damage, marks or attached items that may assist with indicating the line of play or effectively tee the ball.
Before the start of competition play, any mat not bought at Awali Golf Club should be shown to the Handicaps & Competitions Committee for approval.
10) If, when taking a Preferred Lie and using the mat, the player places the ball within one ball’s width of the mat’s edge, then the player must, without moving the mat, lift and replace the ball not within one ball’s width of the edge of the mat. There is no penalty.
11) In any area, if the ball comes to rest on the mat, the mat is deemed to be a movable obstruction. Within the teeing area, the player may also proceed as described in Rule 6.2.
12) If the player wishes to play with a Preferred Lie and a mat, and when the ball will not remain at rest on the mat when placed, and when the nearest point where the ball remains at rest on the mat when placed is off the fairway, then the player may use the mat off the fairway.
13) If the ball is touching either a) an old fairway line that is still visible or b) the latest fairway line but where this is inaccurately placed or c) in a position where a fairway line is normally present but where it is absent, the ball is on the fairway. The ball is not on the fairway If it is touching a piece of fairway line material that is not touching the fairway line.
14) Compacted sand/rock, ruts or other damage caused by vehicles, sinkholes or other damage caused by water drainage or run-off, and deep, thin or absent sand are course conditions defined as not abnormal. Free relief is not available for these conditions.
15) A partially buried stone (that is not a path or out-of-bounds marker stone) is not solidly embedded only if it can be lifted by using the thumb and forefinger of one hand (see Definitions – Loose impediments).
16) Free relief may be taken for a ball embedded in its own pitch mark anywhere in the General Area. Exception: Free relief must be taken for a ball embedded in its own pitch mark within any cold-patched or oiled surface in the General Area. See Rules 16.3 and 14.3.
b. BUNKERS AND PENALTY AREAS
17) Sand-filled depressions within a fairway are bunkers. Cold-patched or oiled areas bordering a bunker are not part of the bunker. The depressions on the 7th and 17th, indicated by yellow posts, are penalty areas and no play zones. The player must lift a ball that is in any of these areas and, under one penalty stroke, drop the ball in the defined Dropping Zone (proceed under Rule 14.3, reading “Relief Area” as “Dropping Zone”).
c. PUTTING GREENS
18) Putting greens are defined by the putting surface sand that has been swept or, if sand is absent, the area of the putting surface that normally has swept sand. The player (or caddie) must not remove sand from the putting green.
19) If the player wishes to repair damage to the putting green, the player may smooth the surface by using the putter head lightly across the line of play. Continuous or excessive smoothing is not allowed and where the player wishes such smoothing, the groundsman (or the player, if the groundsman is unavailable) must use the brush provided.
20) If the player’s stance or swing is restricted on the putting green, the player may lift and place the ball at the nearest point of complete relief, no nearer the hole.
21) In addition to the marking method described in Rule 14.1, the player may use the putter head or a finger on the putting green (or a tee when not on the putting green) to scratch a short line(s) that will enable the ball to be repositioned accurately. The player must ensure that the direction of the line(s) does not indicate line of play and that the method of scratching minimizes testing of the surface.
22) If the ball is on swept putting-surface sand and the player knows or is virtually certain that the location of this sand is outside the normal boundary of the putting green, the ball is not on the putting green.
23) Brushing within 3m of the hole must be done across the line of play. After marking then lifting the ball, the player may smooth the area just in front of or behind the ball’s marked position. The player must use the putter head lightly across the line of play, smoothing only up to one putter-head width from the ball’s marked position on the line of play. There is no penalty if these requirements are not met, however an opponent or fellow competitor may request that the player repeat the brushing or smoothing.
24) If the player wishes to brush the putting green, but an opponent or fellow competitor wishes the player not to perform brushing, the player whose ball is furthest from the hole has brushing-decision priority.
d. OUT OF BOUNDS
25) The following areas are out of bounds:
a) Around the Clubhouse and towards the 1st fairway, defined by a white line.
b) To the left of the 1st, 3rd, and 4th and to the right of the 10th teeing area and fairway, defined by white posts.
c) To the left of the 5th, to the right of the 7th, 9th, and 18th, defined by white posts. Posts positioned at right angles to the first/last posts define the boundary start/end, by taking an infinite line of sight between and beyond these posts.
d) When playing the 13th or 14th, beyond the pipelines, defined by the extremity of the furthest pipleine.
e) Around the graveyard on the 15th defined by a white line.
26) A ball is out of bounds if it crosses any out of bounds line and comes to rest in any out of bounds area.
27) On the 15th, stones marking the graveyard’s out of bounds line and stones within this line must not be moved.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF ANY OF THE ABOVE LOCAL RULES
(Unless stated otherwise) GENERAL PENALTY
Handicaps & Competitions Committee, 1st September 2021
Rules Clarification
|
[This document is unauthorised – the authorised document is displayed on the Clubhouse notice board]
|
| Use of tethered tees | 01 |
|
Tethered tees may be used. See R&A “Rule of Equipment” Part 6 – Devices and Equipment – 6.1 Note. Our teeing area design (the tee-box) is regarded as “difficult turf conditions”.
|
|
| Use of multiple Committee approved mats | 02 |
|
The mat is a device used as a tee or a ball marker. There are no rules that limit how many you use.
|
|
| Immovable obstructions – examples at AGC | 03 |
Reminder: course boundary marker posts and internal out-of-bounds marker posts, and their bases, are boundary objects for which free relief is not available. See Definitions. |
|
| Interference due to artificial objects out of bounds (razor wire, graveyard stones etc.) | 04 |
|
Rule 16 “Relief from Abnormal Course Conditions (Including Immovable Obstructions)”, clause 16.1a(2) states: “Relief … is allowed … only when both the abnormal course condition is on the course (not out of bounds) and the ball is anywhere on the course…”. You must play the ball as it lies (you may stand out of bounds) or declare your ball unplayable (proceed under Rule 19.2).
|
|
| Teeing area – playing directly on the teeing area surface | 05 |
|
You may play direct from the teeing area surface without a mat (there is no Rule that says you cannot). However, the Committee request that you use a mat should you play from the Astroturf surface, which is not durable enough to withstand repeated strokes.
|
|
| Ball strikes an overhead wire or its support pole – choice to continue etc. | 06 |
|
The Local Rules state that, if a ball strikes an overhead wire or its support pole, then another ball must be played. This is to maintain the pace of play, which is slowed if you continue with the original or a second, provisional ball. You do not have the choice of continuing with the original ball: the original stroke is cancelled. The location of the overhead wire and its support pole is irrelevant. The location from which you played is irrelevant.
|
|
| Interference to swing or stance – due to tarmac road within a fairway not in play | 07 |
| Interference to swing or stance – due to tarmac road within the fairway in play | 08 |
|
The Local Rules state that man-made surfaces within the fairway of the hole in play are integral objects with no relief except under penalty. However, the Local Rules allow the use of a Committee approved mat. Either play the ball as it lies, or play under the Local Rules for Preferred Lies.
|
|
| Ball position – how to decide in case of area uncertainty | 09 |
|
You may be uncertain in which area of the course it lies. For example, when the ball is on/off a teeing area, on/off a fairway, on/off a putting green, in/not in a penalty area or out of bounds.
However, you, the player, are expected to make an accurate determination (see Rules 1.3b(2) and 2.2c), and you must know or be virtually certain in which area the ball lies (see Definitions – Known or Virtually Certain). An opponent or fellow competitor has the right to challenge your decision.
To proceed, first, mark the ball. Ask an opponent or fellow competitor to provide his/her opinion. If necessary, lift the ball. If you alter the original lie of the ball, after your decision, recreate the original lie as best you can. If you have lifted the ball, then replace the ball in its original position.
|
|
| Interference – to stance outside fairway, ball on tarmac road within fairway in play | 10 |
| Interference – to swing outside fairway, stance inside fairway in play on tarmac road | 11 |
| Interference – by excessively thick fairway line of fairway in play | 12 |
|
Free relief is not available for interference due to the fairway line of the fairway in play, even when it is excessively thick and the ball is just outside the fairway line. It is just unfortunate. You must play the ball as it lies. If you wish, politely advise the Course Member.
|
|
| Interference – due to young tree without a support | 13 |
|
The Local Rules state that “supported” young trees are designated as no play zones, for which free relief is available. Despite the tree being young, as there is no support, free relief is not available. You must play the ball as it lies or take relief under a one stroke penalty (proceed under Rule 19.2).
|
|
| Interference – due to immovable obstruction – for hole not in play | 14 |
| Interference – to stance – ball on fairway at edge of putting green | 15 |
|
The absence of something never constitutes interference to swing or stance. Thus, if the ball is on the very edge of the fairway, right next to a steep putting green side-wall, and your normal stance would require your leading leg to be floating in mid-air, free relief is not available. You must play the ball as it lies or proceed under Local Rules for Preferred Lies.
|
|
| Interference – due to oil/gas pipes when playing 14th – but distant from putting green | 16 |
|
The Local Rules state that the nearest Dropping Zone must be used when playing the 14th, if there is interference to stance or swing by the oil/gas pipes. Thus, provided the 14th is the hole in play, your location is irrelevant, no matter how far from the 14th green.
|
|
| Interference – due to marker stones or stones within Graveyard’s out of bounds | 17 |
|
a) The Local Rules state that path marker stones are designated as immovable obstructions that must not be moved. However, free relief is available (proceed under Rules 16.1(b) and 14.3).
b) Out of bounds marker stones are boundary objects for which free relief is not available (see Rule 2.3). Also, there is no Rule allowing free relief for objects that lie out of bounds. However, you may take penalty relief (proceed under Rule 19).
|
|
| Ball dropped after taking free relief – rolls off fairway | 18 |
|
Free relief is available if your stance or swing is interfered with by a fairway distance marker post. If, after dropping, the ball rolls off the fairway (but is still within the relief area), you must play the ball as it lies. It is just unfortunate that your original location was on the fairway, but now it is not.
|
|
| Ball dropped after taking free relief – rolls onto fairway | 19 |
|
Free relief is available if your stance or swing is interfered with by a fairway distance marker post. If, after dropping, the ball rolls onto the fairway (but is still within the relief area), you must play the ball as it lies. It is fortunate that your original location was off the fairway, but now it is on the fairway. If the fairway is the fairway in play, you may also take a Preferred Lie and use a mat if you wish.
|
|
| Provisional ball – becoming ball in play | 20 |
|
A provisional ball becomes the ball in play only when the Provisional Ball Is Played from Spot Nearer Hole Than Where Original Ball Is Estimated to Be (see Rule 18.3.c.2). If you play the provisional ball from a spot more distant than this, the ball remains provisional, even if you hole-out.
|
|
| Earth irrigation mounds around young trees | 21 |
|
Free relief is not available for interference due to earth irrigation mounds around young trees, as the Local Rules do not designate them as Ground Under Repair. As they are made from a natural material, they are not obstructions. In this case, the protection of the irrigation mounds is not a priority.
|
|
| Putting green – no direct line of play to the hole – use of iron | 22 |
|
The Rules of Golf do not specify which club must be used on the putting green or anywhere else on the course. Thus, for example, you may choose to use an iron on the putting green to chip over a bunker or putting green side-wall which is on your line of play direct to the hole. Protection of the putting green is not a priority.
|
|
| Putting green – clear roll track, lift without further marking | 23 |
|
You must not immediately lift a ball on the putting green, despite there being a clear track that allows you to replace the ball accurately. First, you must intentionally mark the ball with a ball marker or a small coin, or scratch line(s) and then lift the ball.
The ball is in play until intentionally marked (the track was not intentional), and if you touch the ball before marking it, you are subject to a one stroke penalty under Rule 14.1a.
|
|
| Putting green – roll track providing assistance or interference | 24 |
|
An opponent or fellow-competitor is not entitled to demand that your line of play be brushed (so as to remove a track that may be assisting you), and similarly, is not entitled to demand that your line of play not be brushed (so as to leave a track that may be interfering with you).
You are the only person deciding whether your line of play is brushed. Also, Rule 10.2-b states that: The player or caddie must not set an object down anywhere on or off the putting green to show the line of play. In this case, the track was not “set down”. Also, see Local Rule 24 relating to brushing precedence.
|
|
| Putting green – marked ball position moved/lost when brushing or smoothing | 25 |
|
If, by mistake, either (a) the ball-marker has been moved or (b) the scratched line marking the ball’s position is lost due to either smoothing or brushing, then you must estimate the ball’s original position and replace the ball at this position, without penalty (see Rule 14.2c).
|
|
| Putting green – “bull-dozing” or re-laying sand | 26 |
|
You must not “bull-doze” putting green sand in any way, and may not request this be done whilst a competition is in progress. Re-laying sand (by the import of additional sand, or using the brush etc. to bull-doze sand from another place) is regarded as altering the surface of the ground (see 8.1a) and you are subject to the general penalty. In these circumstances, the Committee may decide upon a temporary suspension of play due to an unplayable course (see Rule 5.7b2).
|
|
| Bunker – repair of footprints and other damage | 27 |
|
If you create footprints or other damage in a bunker, you are responsible for repairing this (see Rule 1.2a). Also, you are requested to repair any damage created prior to your presence in the bunker.
|
|
| Penalty area – ball in or not in | 28 |
|
The penalty area marker posts do not define the edges of the penalty area. No exact line exists that defines a penalty area’s edges. If your ball is trapped (by sand or weeds etc.) on the down-slope but not touching the penalty area’s floor, then your ball is in the penalty area if:
|
General Terms of the Competition
|
[This document is unauthorised – the authorised document is displayed on the Clubhouse notice board]
|
“Committee” shall be read as “Handicaps & Competitions Committee“.
“CP” shall be read as “Refer to R&A’s Committee Procedures“.
STROKE PLAY COMPETITIONS
Before the competition
Specific sign-up and related procedures apply for any Open Championship (not included here).
The Club uses HowDidIDo for sign up/score recording [CP-5A(2)]. For a new player, the Committee shall first create a HowDidIDo profile and advise the player of this. Then, the player shall log in and update his/her profile. Following this, a player shall use HowDidIDo to sign up and for score recording.
The Committee will make a future competition available for sign-up no earlier than 14 days and no later than 10 days prior to the start of the competition. A player shall sign up in any available time zone.
When using HowDidIDo, a player may seek help from a Committee member or the Club Manager.
A future competition will remain available for sign-up, booking move or booking removal until
- About 12 noon on the day before the competition date, or
- 120 players have signed up, if earlier.
The Committee will not entertain any changes thereafter except under exceptional circumstances such as unexpected travel/emergencies/sickness etc. A player must provide notice of these circumstances in advance of the his/her starting time.
Player grouping: As a priority, a player will be allocated within the time zone requested. Then, a group’s players will be chosen in a way perceived to help the player enjoy the round, and to vary playing partners. To do this, gender, playing ability (Division), known pace of play and possible delay of other groups are considered. After this, the player will be allocated to the specific front/back requested.
The Committee will publish the final Start Sheet at about 6 pm one day before the competition date and forward the start sheet by email if a player has previously provided an email address.
On competition day(s)
The official current time is that displayed by the starting clock at the starting teeing area or, if this clock is absent, the time shown by any of the group’s smartphones displaying GPS time.
A player shall allow enough time to sign in, collect his/her scorecard and arrive at the starting teeing area ready to start play at exactly his/her group’s starting time (see Rule 5.3a).
A player arriving at the starting teeing area more than 5 minutes after his/her group’s exact starting time is a “No-show” player and will be barred from playing in competitions for 21 days, commencing from the day of the competition that he or she next signs up for.
Players shall start play in the order shown on the Start Sheet unless otherwise authorised by the Committee. The left-most/first named player shall have the honour at the starting teeing area.
A round shall consist of play over holes in either of the following sequences:
Any dispute or query shall be referred to the Committee as soon as possible after the completion of the round during which it arose.
As soon as possible after the completion of a round, the player and marker shall sign the scorecard, enter the score into HowDidIDo (no matter how many holes were completed) and post the completed scorecard in the Office (or Admin Centre if in use) returns box [CP-5A(5)]. If a player’s score is not entered into HowDidIDo, disciplinary action may result.
A scorecard, once posted in the returns box, is deemed to be in the possession of the Committee and shall not be subsequently altered unless this is authorised by the Committee [CP-5A(5)].
Unless advised otherwise by the Committee, a tie shall be decided by count-back [CP-5A(6)]. If a tie still exists, then the Committee may order a replay by those tying or authorise some other equitable method to decide the tie.
For the duration of a 36 hole Competition, unless advised otherwise by the Committee, a player shall retain the playing handicap with which he/she started the Competition [CP-5A(1)].
Stroke play competitions shall be played in a “Ready Golf” manner (see Rule 5.6b & 6.4b(2)).
If multiple balls are positioned at the same winning position on a hole with a side-prize, the player who played his/her stroke first wins the prize.
Players are expected to attend the prize-giving ceremony so as to show support for and appreciation of the Club’s valued sponsors.
If a player has prior work, family or other commitments and will be absent from the prize presentation, notice of this absence must be communicated to the Committee or Clubhouse staff at the end of the player’s round. Failure to do this may result in the player not being awarded his/her prize.
MATCH PLAY COMPETITIONS
Both/all players shall be responsible for arranging a match. All players will be removed from the competition if a match is not completed by the due date without dispensation by the Committee.
Elimination rounds: play shall be completed by the due date, shown on the notice board Draw Sheet.
Finals: Finals shall be played on the dates of the Knockout Finals Weekend as shown on the Fixtures List. However, with the prior agreement of the Committee, a competition final may be played on a mutually acceptable date before this weekend.
A round shall be played in its correct order, starting at Hole 1. A round should be played over 18 holes continuously. However, if all players agree, a round may be played over two separate nines (proceed under Rule 5.7 Stopping play: Resuming play) and which may be played on different days.
If a match is tied after the completion of the round(s), play shall continue, without interruption, with extra holes. The first side to win an extra hole wins the match (see Rule 3.2a(4)).
Any dispute or query shall be referred to the Committee as soon as possible after completing the nine-hole sequence in which it arose (see Rule 20.1b should a dispute occur during a match).
If a round cannot be completed, for example due to course closure or lack of light, play shall be restarted from the point it was discontinued (proceed under Rule 5.7 Stopping play: Resuming play).
If, following Committee approval, a match is played with players integrated into the field of a stroke play competition, then the players must follow Rules for stroke play [CP-6C(12)].
As soon as a match is complete, the winner should record the result on the notice board Draw Sheet.
Format
| Competition | For | Handicap | Holes to be played | Tees |
| Kingsbury Cup | Gents Division-1 |
None | Elimination rounds: over 18 holes Final: over 36 holes |
Blue |
| Pinhey Cup | Gents Division-2 |
None | All rounds: over 18 holes | Blue |
| Ayto Cup | Gents Division-3 |
None | All rounds: over 18 holes | White |
| O’Sullivan Cup | All Ladies | None | All rounds: over 18 holes | Red |
|
Foster Wheeler Bowl (Gents Handicap Singles)
|
All Gents | See below |
Elimination rounds: over 18 holes Final: over 36 holes |
White |
|
Scarff Cup (Ladies Handicap Singles)
|
All Ladies | See below |
All rounds: over 18 holes | Red |
|
Gray Mackenzie Salver (Mixed Handicap Four-ball)
|
All | See below |
All rounds: over 18 holes | White and/or Red |
Playing handicap allowance
The player with the lowest playing handicap gives strokes to all other players in the match.
For the Foster Wheeler Bowl and Scarff Cup competitions, the number of strokes given is the 100% difference between the players’ playing handicaps (see WHS Appendix C).
For the Foster Wheeler Bowl, strokes are taken at the Stroke Indexes shown for the White tees.
For the Scarff Cup, strokes are taken at the Stroke Indexes shown for the Red tees.
For the Gray Mackenzie Salver competition
- If there is a lady and a gent in a pairing, the lady first adds 5 strokes to her playing handicap for the Red tees and then plays using the White tees.
- If there is no mix in a pairing, gents play using the White tees and ladies play using the Red tees.
- The number of strokes given is 90% of the difference between the players’ playing handicaps (see WHS Appendix C).
- Strokes are taken at the Stroke Indexes shown on the scorecard for the tees being played.
If a match includes an extra hole(s), these strokes are to be taken at the holes extra hole(s) as well.
Pace of Play Policy
|
[This document is unauthorised – the authorised document is displayed on the Clubhouse notice board]
|
POLICY
This Pace Of Play Policy does not apply to any Open Championship.
STROKE PLAY COMPETITIONS
Pace
A player must complete a round in no more than 4 hours after starting.
So as to achieve this, a player is required to play at a pace that ensures arrival
- When starting a round at the teeing area of Hole 1
- At the 11th teeing area within 2 hours of starting
- At 16th teeing area within 3 hours of starting
- When starting a round at the teeing area of Hole 10
- At the 2nd teeing area within 2 hours of starting
- At the 7th teeing area within 3 hours of starting.
A notice is fixed to each of the four tee-boxes to remind you of these requirements.
Rule 5.6b states: “Players are encouraged to allow faster groups to play through”. Your group must invite the group behind you to play through, and allow them to do so if they wish to, when:
- The hole in play of the group in front of you is two holes in advance of your group’s hole in play.
If this situation arises and your group does not invite the group behind to play through, a player of the group behind should report this to the Committee following completion of the round.
Further to Rule 5.6b(1)’s recommendation that a player make his or her stroke within 40 seconds, at AGC, a player is required to make his or her stroke within 20 seconds.
For a competition played during the winter months, meeting the requirements above is essential, so as to allow players last in the field to have adequate light to complete their round.
Disciplinary action
Rule 5.6a details the applicable penalties for an unreasonabe delay of play during the progress of a competition. However, with the exception of Open Championships, no referee is present to decide if a penalty should be applied and, therefore, Rule 5.6a cannot be enforced.
Due to the non-enforcement of Rule 5.6a, if a player fails to complete a round in under 4 hours and has no valid reason as determined by the Committee, then
- Where there is a competition raffle draw, the player’s scorecard will be not be included.
- If this occurs on three consecutive occasions, the player will be barred from playing in the next competition which the player signs up for.
MATCH PLAY COMPETITIONS
A player should play at a pace that ensures arrival at the teeing areas within the times as shown above for stroke play competitions. As extra holes may be necessary in the event of a tie after the round(s) is complete, there is no requirement to complete a match within a specific number of hours.
— End of Policy —
Guidelines to speed pace of play in stroke play competitions
Rule 5.6b states that “a round of golf is meant to be played at a prompt pace” and includes a few actions that a player may take to ensure a prompt pace of play.
In more detail, try to maximise the pace of your round as follows:
- Friendly games – do not play in a group of more than 4 players and do not share clubs.
- Walk between strokes reasonably quickly – “Prompt” means “brisk” a speed of about 5km/hour or more, not the speed of a leisurely stroll. Work off yesterday’s calorie overindulgence.
- Choosing your club – As you walk towards your ball, not when you arrive at your ball.
- Park your trolley (distant from putting green) once only – In a position that cannot interfere with your stroke, no matter what club you choose.
- Park your trolley (close to putting green) at the side – Always at the side or rear of the putting green, never at its front. If you have not parked your trolley at the exit route to the next putting green when you first arrived at the putting green, then do this after your first putt.
- Just hit it – Address and play your stroke – Limit your practice swings to a maximum of 2. Limit the time you stare at the ball before your backswing to a few seconds (the practice range is the place to think for any greater length). At the tee shot address, limit the number of “circle” motions of the club head to 1.
- Carry a spare ball – In a trouser pocket, ready for use as a provisional ball.
- Play a provisional ball – If you think your original ball may be out of bounds or may be difficult to find. However, if you are in front, wait until at least one player behind you has caught up with you, so that they may hear your intention for a provisional ball.
- Tally and remember your score after each stroke – Always know the total strokes you have taken. If you use counting beads, update the beads as soon as your club is back in the bag.
- Minimise footprints on the putting green – Where there are previous footprints, try to use a route to your ball and back to your bag over these footprints. Try not to make new ones as this extends brushing time. If you are first to hole-out, immediately walk to the flagstick – you are the player to replace it.
- Record your score only at the next teeing area – And, if you have the honour, only after you have taken your tee shot.
- Fill your water bottle only after you have taken your tee shot – If you have the honour.
- Avoid smoking – Removing the need to find a place to set down your cigarette, and increasing the chance of you shooting your age.
Guidelines for “Ready Golf” in stroke play competitions
AGC’s “General Terms Of The Competition” states that ” Stroke play competition play shall be conducted in a ‘Ready Golf’ manner (see Rules 5.6b(2) & 6.4b(2))”.
The purpose of “ready golf” is for your group
- To keep up with the group in front of you,
- Not to be ahead of the group behind you, and
- Not to complete your round in the shortest possible time.
Rule 6.4b(2) states that “Ready Golf – Players are both allowed and encouraged to play out of turn in a safe and responsible way”. To play “Ready Golf”:
- Starting teeing area – the playing order remains as shown on the Start Sheet
- Other than the starting teeing area – before stepping onto the teeing area, first ask permission of the player who has the honour.
- On the teeing area, short hitters should go first.
- Move forward to your ball – not to the location of the ball furthest from the hole. Be ready to take your shot as soon as possible.
- Move to the side so that you do endanger yourself and so that you do not distract a player that is behind you and ready to play. Be aware that “moving to the side” may require a greater distance than would be required for you: other players may not be as straight as you.
- If both you and another player behind you are ready to play, allow the other player to play first.