AGA Pace of Play Policy
Rule 5.6a states, in part: "A player must not unreasonably delay play, either when playing a hole or between two holes," and thereafter prescribes penalties for slow play. In order to prevent any such penalty we suggest that you review carefully the following guidelines.
Allotted Time
AGA scorecards will list the expected finish time for each hole. The allotted time will be established by the committee and may vary depending on the golf course and the event. When a group falls behind, they are expected to regain their position. Time for ball searches, rulings and walking time between holes are included in the allotted time.
Definition of "Out of Position"
The first group(s) to start will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round, the group is behind the expected finish time for any hole, as printed on the scorecard.
Any following group will be considered out of position if it (a) is taking more than the allotted time to play and (b) reaches the teeing ground of a par-3 hole and the preceding group has cleared the next tee; reaches the teeing ground of a par-4 hole and the putting green is clear; or reaches 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 or Match Out of Position
If a group/match is out of position, the players in that group/match may be monitored and timed. Anytime a group/match is to be monitored and timed the players will be notified of such timing by a Rules Official. The notification by the Rules Official will be made immediately after all players complete their tee shots on the hole where monitoring will begin.
Timing
When a group/match is being monitored and timed each player in the group/match is expected to play any stroke within 40 seconds after timing of the player's stroke begins.
Other than on the putting green, the timing of a player's stroke will begin when he/she has had reasonable opportunity to reach his ball, it is his/her turn to play and he/she can play without interference or distraction. Time spent 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 amount of time to lift, clean and replace his ball, repair his/her ball mark and other ball marks on his line of putt and remove loose impediments on his line of putt. Time spent looking at the line from beyond the hole and/or behind the ball will count as part of the time taken for the next stroke.
NOTE: A player is permitted 40 seconds to play a stroke. An extra 10 seconds (for a total of 50 seconds) will be allowed for:
the first player to play a stroke on a par-3 hole
the first player to play a second stroke on a par-4 or par-5 hole
the first player to play a third stroke on a par-5 hole
the first player to play a stroke around the putting green
the first player to play a stroke on the putting green
NOTE: The Committee reserves the right, at any time, to time a group when the Committee deems it necessary. Players should also be aware that the Committee may assess a "bad time" to a player in a group which is out of position if the player makes no effort to help his group get back in position. An example of this would be a player who delays play between shots.
Pace of Play Penalties
The following are the penalties, in sequence, for any player in a group or match being timed who takes more than the allotted time to play a stroke after timing of the player's stroke begins:
Stroke Play
One bad timing exceeding the allotted time - warning
A second bad timing - 1 stroke penalty
A third bad timing - additional 2 stroke penalty
A fourth bad timing - disqualification
Match Play
One bad timing exceeding the allotted time - warning
A second bad timing - loss of hole
A third bad timing - warning
A fourth bad timing - disqualification
NOTE: If the group/match in question regains its proper position, any previous timing of more than the allotted time will be carried over for the remainder of that round/match in the event that the group/match requires additional monitoring.
Rulings or Other Incidents
If a ruling or some other legitimate delay occurs which causes the group/match in question to lose its position, that group/match is expected to regain its position within a reasonable time.
Player Expectations
Players are expected to monitor their group’s pace of play during the round based on the times printed on the scorecard. There may be pace of play stations set up through the golf course to help players monitor their pace. These may be atomic clocks, or volunteers designated to monitor pace of play. These volunteers are not Rules Officials, and will not time players. However, they may notify an official if they see a group out of position.