USGA has new rules specifically focused on improving pace of play. MSLSGA as the “Committee” has over several years adopted local rules for pace. These are now virtually identical to the several of the new USGA rules.
USGA encourages setting expectations for both beginners and experienced players on what types of behavior are considered prompt play, including the maximum amount of time it should normally take to make a stroke.
New USGA Rules encourage prompt pace of play by recommending that:
- Players should recognize that their pace of play affects others and they should play promptly throughout the round (such as 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
- Committees should adopt a Pace of Play Policy.
- In addition, Rule 6.4 expressly allows playing out of turn for stroke play, affirmatively allows and encourages players to play out of turn in a safe and responsible way to save time or for convenience (also known as “ready golf”).
EXPECTATIONS METRO SENIORS
- Members are Expected to:
- Play to best competitive effort, with courtesy and respect for others
- Follow all rules – no gimme putts, QUAD BOGEY max, leave flagstick in, ……
- Manage their group to “Meet Pace” and “Keep Up” with group ahead
- Play READY GOLF – Play “out of turn” in a safe, responsible manner – No HONORS!
- Play quickly – USGA suggests 40 SECONDS for a stroke
- Pace of Play Targets
- 4 to 4 1/2 hours Tee Starts
- 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours Shotgun Starts
- Course, conditions, organization, member capability
Maximum of Quad Bogey on any hole
All players are required to take no more than a Quad Bogey on any hole. This will prevent a “blow-up” hole from slowing a group and all behind them. It will reduce only about 15 to 30 strokes per round but these are concentrated in our slowest players and groups. Pace for our slowest players (and those following) should improve by several minutes per round.
The Quad Bogey rule will not make any differences in handicaps, in flight prize money, in flight standings, or in qualifications for the league championship.
Everyone who has a bad hole is required to take advantage of the Quad Bogey rule.
Gene – I’m also in the over 70 range. We are not expecting anyone to run the course. The 40 second per stroke is inclusive of getting set at the ball, taking a practice swing, and hitting the ball. It does not include checking distance, picking club, or moving to the ball. The time wasters are when a foursome plays “honors” in the fairway and on the green. Everybody waits for everyone else to get to ball, pick a club, check distance, stroke, put clubs away, put head covers on, and so on.
To save time everyone should be getting ready to hit while others are doing their thing, not sitting in the cart waiting. This is Ready Golf
90% of our members including those well over 70 are playing at 4 1/2 hours or better.
Usually only 1 or maybe 2 groups per outing have been “slow” (losing 15 minutes or more against the group ahead) and this is usually only in about 25% of the outings. If each “slow” group simply saved 1 minute per hole, they would no longer be slow.
Rob
The 9 strokes max had a lot of discussion. Double bogey, triple bogey, quad bogey, max 8 and more were discussed. We analyzed data for changes in winnings for 2016. 9 Strokes made virtually no change in flight payout distribution for the full year. Also, 9 strokes would make NO difference in the equitable stroke calculations for anyone. Finally, we know a number of players who get mixed up on what the par is for a hole.
This is a bit of a compromise. We have many players who feel strongly that a max of any kind is unfair.
As our local rule, this is open for discussion in the rules committee. If we see that 9 strokes are really rare, perhaps we can move to a revised max rule. Join the Rules Committee to help with this and other rules.
John
Good question. If the ball bounces off the flagstick and rolls away from the hole, the ball is not holed out. Move to the new location, and take another putt. If the ball is sitting by itself on the edge of the hole not supported by the flagstick, it is not holed out.
If the ball falls into the hole or is over the edge of the hole leaning on the flagstick at the hole, it would be considered holed out.
If the flagstick is properly installed (perpendicular) in the hole, there is room enough for the ball to drop into the hole without actually touching the flagstick. If you it the ball too hard it may hit the pin and bounce off away from the hole. But it could also be stopped by the flagstick and drop in.
Several Pros believe that leaving the flagstick in is a benefit, especially for really speedy putts.
Leaving it in can save a little time on some holes, especially for Ready Golf when you have some players on the green with easy putts while someone else is still off the green in a bunker with several shots to go. While they are figuring out how to get up and in, you could make your putt and get out of the way.
Otherwise you play the flagstick dance. Out, in, out, in.
More information on the flagstick rule from USGA – http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/rules-modernization/major-changes/ball-played-from-the-putting-green-hits-unattended-flagstick-in-hole.html
Sometimes two or three guys, who play together all the time and can play a course in the time span suggested, are “saddled” with another one or two guys who play slow. I for one, do not feel comfortable telling these slow players to “hurry up”. I don’t feel it is my duty to tell them because I did not ask to play with them. I also don’t feel it is right to penalize me for their slow play.
I also don’t believe it is right for a player(s) behind me a hole or two, to ride up and berate me for slow play when it isn’t my fault. When this happens, I will exert my rights in telling that person where to go.
Bob, Thanks for the comments. You raised several issues that are important.
Fellowship and fun are our goals, and they are really built on a foundation of mutual respect, integrity, and understanding. We have rules of play and rules for pace of play that are keys to making the tournaments fair and fun for everyone.
Measures and Penalties – the pace data is recorded by tee group, but over many tournaments, individuals who are frequently behind pace can be identified. We don’t “penalize” any group for a bad round or two. We officially issue notices only if individuals or groups are frequently (more than 3 times) behind pace (<15 minutes, open hole ahead, and holding up others). This is only a very small % of members..
However if any tee group is way behind in any tournament, >30 minutes, 1 or 2 empty holes ahead and groups stacked up behind, they should expect to be asked to move up ASAP.
Duty – Members do have a duty to play their best, follow the rules, be respectful of others. Per USGA – All players are expected to play in the spirit of the game by:
Acting with integrity – for example, by following the Rules, applying all penalties, and being honest in all aspects of play.
Showing consideration to others – for example, by playing at a prompt pace, looking out for the safety of others, and not distracting the play of another player.
Taking good care of the course – for example, by replacing divots, smoothing bunkers, repairing ball-marks, and not causing unnecessary damage to the course.
If you tee group falls falls behind pace (4 1/2 hr per round, or about 15 minutes per hole), the group (everyone) is expected to pickup pace ASAP.
Try these – “We are running slow, we must pick up pace.” “We have lost contact with the group ahead, we must speed up now!” “The group behind us is waiting on every hole, we must speed up.”
Focus on an individual (YOU are slow! YOU must …. You …..) will usually generate bad feelings, and argument, or worse with little benefit.
If a members has specific behaviors that are excessive time wasters (frequent, long ball searches), find a way to help.
If an individual in your group in uncooperative or worse, you should as early as possible advise your Division VP. You may wish to avoid playing with that individual in the future.
The Golden Rule usually works. Treat them as you would like to be treated (if you were the “problem”).