RACCOON CREEK MEN’S CLUB

Pace of Play Policy

2024 rev 2

 

“Pace of Play rule is all about the PACE of PLAY, not Race Cart Golf AND NEVER is it about Snail Golf.  It is about Honor.  Honoring the people in front of you and honoring the people behind you, By Keeping Up a Proper Pace of Play and Staying in Position with the foursome in front of you.  It’s never about Rushing, Your Shot but Rushing TO Your Next Shot.”

 

Under USGA Rule 18.2, a ball can only be searched for 3 minutes.  If it is not found, consider it lost and continue under stroke and distance penalty or under USGA Local Rule E5.  E5 allows a drop within 2 club lengths into the fairway, no closer to the hole from where ball was presumed lost, or presumed to cross the course boundary (i.e. is out of bounds)

 

USGA Rule 5.6 governs pace of play.  Under Rule 5.6.a A player must not unreasonably delay play when playing a hole or between two holes. A player may be allowed a short delay when seeking help (like requesting help from other members in your group), a player becomes ill or injured, or when there is another good reason.  

 

USGA Rule 5.6.b has the following recommendations.

(1) Pace of Play Recommendations. The player should play at a prompt pace throughout the round, including the time taken to:

  • Prepare for and make each stroke,
  • Move from one place to another between strokes, and
  • Move to the next teeing area after completing a hole.
  • A player should prepare in advance for the next stroke and be ready to play when it is their turn.

When it is the player’s turn to play:

  • It is recommended that the player make the stroke in no more than 40 seconds after they are (or should be) able to play without interference or distraction, and
  • The player should usually be able to play more quickly than that and is encouraged to do so.

(2) Playing Out of Turn to Help Pace of Play. Depending on the form of play, there are times when players may play out of turn to help the pace of play:

  • In match play, the players may agree that one of them will play out of turn to save time (see Rule 6.4a  Exception).
  • In stroke play, players may play “ready golf” in a safe and responsible way (see Rule 6.4b(2)).

(3) Committee Pace of Play Policy. To encourage and enforce prompt play, the Committee should adopt a Local Rule setting a Pace of Play Policy.

 

RCMC Pace of Play Policy per USGA Rule 5.6.b.3

 

Each tournament group is expected to complete each 9 holes of their round within 2 hours and 15 minutes. The first group during a tournament to come in after their allotted time is considered late. Thereafter, groups with turn times or finish times 6 minutes longer than the preceding group in front of them is considered late.

 

PACE VERIFICATION:

A punch timeclock is located at the starter stand.  The Raccoon Creek Scorecard should have the cover notated with three notations:

    1. “Tee Time” The groups tee time should be written next to this notation.  It is assumed your start time is the same as your tee time.  If the group believes they have been unduly delayed on the starting tee, they may return to the starter and have the scorecard cover punched with actual time.
    2. “Turn Time” The group should punch the time clock after finishing hole 9 next to this notation.
    3. “Finish Time” The group should punch the time clock after finishing hole 18 next to this notation.

Scorecards should then be verified with Golf Genius.  Scorecards should be turned into the clubhouse with a board member or designee as soon as possible after finishing.

 

PENALTIES:

Each player (or team) in a late group shall be penalized 1 stroke for violating pace of play guidelines on the front nine and 1 stroke for violating the back nine.  Additionally each player in a late group will be penalized 5 Raccoon Cup Participation points for violating the pace of play guidelines on the front and 5 Raccoon Cup Participation points for violating the back nine. 

 

Each late group shall be given the opportunity to explain their tardiness, in private, with an audience of at least 2 Board members. After hearing the group’s explanation, the Board members will waive or enforce the penalty at their own discretion. Board member discretion to waive or enforce the penalty is absolute, and shall be based on several factors including, but not limited to repeat tardiness, player’s knowledge of the rules of golf, weather conditions, injuries incurred on the course, etc. 

 

Additionally RCMC may use turn and finish times from starter as well as Player's Assistance pace of play times and notes to evaluate pace of a group.

 

Please review the RCMC Recommendations for Keeping Pace page for suggestions on ways to keep up with the group ahead of you.