Slow Play Reminder

Slow Play

Slow play – behaviour that impacts on an acceptable pace of play for the playing field – is an issue that afflicts every golf club from time to time.

The R&A along with their counterparts in the US, the USGA have made great efforts to understand and address slow play at all levels of the game. At a club level it is fair to say everybody has their own views and opinions as to the cause and the appropriate response.

As a club we use our resources as best as possible to facilitate an acceptable pace of play through:

• Establishing appropriate tee time intervals for each particular competition
• Managing field sizes to reduce unnecessary congestion on the course
• Scheduling the majority of stroke and medal tee rounds during spring and autumn
• Engaging the GSC to monitor play on the course
• Providing a forward (green) tee for those players not as accomplished or physically able to cope with the longer course

But when all is said and done Spring Valley is a challenging golf course and when combined with difficult weather conditions, extra attention is required to maintain an acceptable pace of play.

We resist the temptation to establish a rigid target time for every round of golf as this will vary based on the type of competition, 2,3 or 4-ball groups, difficulty of course set up and time of year, but a 4-ball group should be able to play a Stableford competition from the white tees in approximately 4h 15m. An indication your group is considered slow in a daily field is based on whether you have maintained your position in the field.

What is your position in the field? As a general rule keeping up with the group ahead will maintain your position in the field. In sparse fields this guide may not be available (there may be no group ahead) so good practices by all players need to be adhered to in order to maintain an acceptable pace of play.

These good practices include:

• If you fall behind – make an effort to catch up!
• Be ready to hit when it’s your turn
• Play ready golf (if acceptable in the situation – i.e. not during match play)
• Especially on the tee, play your shot before tending to tasks such marking cards
• Walk briskly between shots
• If looking for a ball be aware of the time allowed to search
• If in doubt of finding a ball, and with a realistic chance of scoring, hit a provisional ball
• If not likely to interfere with other players, prepare for your shot/putt while waiting for other players to play
• Play the course best suited to your ability (if the medal tees are beyond you, chose the green markers)
• If your group has been delayed (say, looking for several balls) – be prepared to stand aside and let the group behind play through

 By applying these good practices hopefully we can all enjoy our time on the course.

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