Iowa Golf Association – PACE OF PLAY POLICY

 

Rule 6-7. Undue Delay: Slow Play: The player must play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines that the committee may establish.  Between completion of a hole and playing from the next teeing ground, the player must not unduly delay play.

The IGA Pace of Play Policy is designed to encourage groups to “self-police” themselves to play without delay.

 

Allotted Time:  Each group is allotted a specific amount of time to complete play of 9 and 18 holes at a pace in accordance with the time par matrix set up at each event.  The time par will be printed each individual’s scorecard.  When a group falls behind – regardless of reason – it must regain its position.  Time for ball searches, rulings and walking time between holes is included in the allotted time established by the committee.  When a group finishes and replaces the flag in the hole at its 9th and 18th putting greens, an official will record the time for the group.

 

Definition of Out of Position: (an official Starting Time will be recorded for each group)

First Group:  The first group is out of position if it takes more than the allotted time to finish a checkpoint hole.

Following Groups:  A following group is out of position if it

1. Takes more than the allotted time to finish a checkpoint hole and
2. Completes play of a checkpoint hole more than 15 minutes after the preceding group completed play of that hole.

Non-responsive fellow competitor:  Any player concerned about a non-responsive fellow competitor should notify a Rules Official about the problem and request the group be monitored in case penalties are incurred and appealed.  If any player’s pace or quality of play is affecting the entire field he may be asked to leave the course.  The Committee reserves the right to impose individual undue delay/slow play penalties if appropriate.

 

Penalty Statements: 

1. A group that is not out of position at the completion of 18 holes incurs no penalty under this policy
2. A group that is out of position upon the completion of 18 holes incurs the following penalty:
   1. If the group was out of position after 9 holes, all players in the group incur one penalty stroke at the 9th hole and two penalty strokes are incurred at the 18th hole (3 total).
   2. If the group was not out of position after 9 holes, all players in the group incur one penalty stroke at the 18th hole.
3. If any player or group is deliberately violating this policy, this will be considered a serious breach of etiquette, subjecting the player or group to disqualification under Rule 33-7.

 

Appeals:  A player may appeal group pace of play penalties to The Committee.  All appeals must be made at the scoring area before signing and returning a scorecard.  An appeal will only be considered if:

1. The player was delayed by The Committee; or
2. The player was delayed by a circumstance beyond control of the player or group; or
3. The player was delayed by another player in the group and had reported his concerns to an official

 

Unofficial Checkpoints:  In addition to the official checkpoints at Holes #9 and #18 the IGA will provide unofficial checkpoints at #4 or #5 and #13 or #14 where the group will be notified of their position and time.  If adequate officials are not available, atomic clocks will be placed at the unofficial checkpoints so that groups can reference the time par on their scorecards to determine their position.