The following conditions and policies shall govern regulation of the pace of play by the Berks County Golf Association Rules Committee.  In order to prevent any such penalty we suggest that you carefully review the following guidelines:

Rule 6-7 states, "The player must play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines which may be laid down by the Committee. Between completion of a hole and playing from the next teeing ground, the player shall not unduly delay play."

                                                                When is a group "OUT OF POSITION"                                                              

Each player is responsible for their group maintaining proper position on the golf course in relation to the rest of the field. The position of the group following has no bearing in determining whether or not a player's pace of play is satisfactory.

The first three groups will be considered "OUT OF POSITION", if at any time, the group is behind the prescribed schedule. Any following groups are deemed to be "OUT OF POSITION" if it (a) is taking more than the allotted time to play and (b) reaches the teeing ground of a par three hole and the preceding group has cleared the next teeing ground; reaches the teeing ground of a par four hole and the putting green is clear; or arrives at the teeing ground of a par 5 hole when the preceding group is on the putting green. Both (a) and (b) must apply for a group to be "OUT OF POSITION".

                                                                            Group Out of Position                                                                           

If a group is “OUT OF POSITION”, a BCGA Official will begin to monitor them notifying them, as soon as practicable, that the group is “OUT OF POSITION” and they are subject to individual timing. The group in question will have one hole to regain their correct position on the golf course before individual timing of the players in the group begins.

                                                                                      Timing                                                                                        

A group may be monitored or timed for compliance with the pace of play guideline by a BCGA Official if it is “OUT OF POSITION”. When a group is “OUT OF POSITION” a player in that group will be expected to play any given shot within 40 seconds, except in extraordinary circumstances.

If a group's pace of play warrants a penalty being assessed, only players who contributed to slow play will be penalized, not necessarily every member of the group.

Timing of a player's stroke starts when he has had reasonable opportunity to reach the ball, it is clearly his turn to play, nothing interferes or distracts with his ability to play the stroke, and he has had a reasonable time to select a club.

Except on the putting green, if a player has reached his ball, it is his turn to play and there are no distractions, timing will begin after he has had reasonable time to select a club. Time spent walking backward or forward for determining yardage will count as part of the time taken for the next stroke.

On the putting green, timing will begin after a player has been allowed a reasonable time to lift, clean and replace his ball, Repair his ball mark and any other ball marks on his line of putt and remove loose impediments from his line of putt. Time spent looking at the line from behind the hole and/ or behind the ball will count as part of the time taken for the next stroke.

                                                                For a Group Being Monitored for Pace of Play                                                

Any players in a group which is "OUT OF POSITION" who takes more than 40 seconds to play a stroke when it is his turn to play is subject to penalty under Rule 6-7, Undue Delay; Slow Play as follows:

                                                                                  Stroke Play                                                                                    

1.             One bad time of more than 40 seconds – Warning

2.             A second bad timing of more than 40 seconds – 1 Stroke Penalty

3.             A third bad timing of more than 40 seconds – Additional 2 Stroke Penalty

4.             A fourth bad time of more than 40 seconds — Disqualification

Note 1:  A Player who incurs "ONE BAD TIME" will be notified of such by Committee as soon as practicable and warned that any subsequent bad timing during the round will subject him to penalty under Rule 6-7. (Undue Delay)  

Note 2: A player incurring a penalty under this rule will be notified of such by Committee as soon as practicable.

Note 3: If the group or match in question regains its proper position, the Committee will immediately suspend the monitoring or timing but any previous timing of more than 40 seconds will be carried over for the remainder of that round in the event that the group requires additional monitoring.

Note 4: The Committee will determine the time allotted for play. Matrices outlining this pace can be found on the starting tees and scoreboard.

                                                                            Rulings or Other Incidents                                                                    

If a ruling or some other legitimate delay occurs which causes the group in question to lose its position, that group is expected to regain its position on the golf course within a reasonable time (no more than two holes)

HELPFUL HINT TO STAY WITH IN PACE GUIDELINES

Play at Good Pace and Keep Up

It is a group's responsibility to keep up with the group in front.

Be Ready to Play
Players should be ready to play as soon as it is their turn to play. When playing on or near the putting green, they should leave their bags or carts in such a position as will enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee. When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.

Lost Ball
If a player believes his ball may be lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, to save time, he should play a provisional ball.(no more than two holes)

2/07

Berks County Golf Association
35 Ironstone Drive  Reading, PA 19606
Email Rennie Sacco, President at rsacco@bcgagolf.com

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