App AA-Pace of Play Policy Checkpoint System.pdf
EWGA Pace of Play Policy The Association Headquarters and the EWGA Tournament Operations (TOPS) Committee is dedicated to the improvement of Pace of Play for the EWGA Championship and The EWGA Cup. A player's knowledge and practice of efficient golf guidelines such as course management and pace of play tips creates enjoyable and rhythmic rounds of golf with few delays. The following policy will be enforced by the Directors and Rules Officials at all levels of the EWGA Championship and The Cup competitions. The EWGA Pace of Play Policy utilizes a four checkpoint system.
Checkpoints will be located on holes #4, #9, #13 and #18, unless otherwise indicated. Each group is responsible for monitoring their own pace. Other than the first bad timing at a check-point, players will not receive warnings. To avoid penalty, groups must complete each checkpoint hole: 1. Under the allotted time (indicated on scorecard), or 2. Within 15 minutes of the group ahead. All players in a group in breach of the pace of play policy at any checkpoint are subject to penalty.
Penalties Stroke Play
First Breach during Round = Each player in the group subject to warning. Second Breach during Round = Each player in the group subject to 1 stroke penalty. Third Breach during Round = Each player in the group subject to additional 2 stroke penalty. Fourth Breach during Round = Each player in the group subject to potential disqualification. If a group clears the 3rd checkpoint and has not missed any other check points, but is out of position at the 4th check point, each player in the group is subject to a one stroke penalty if in the Committee’s view a reasonable effort was not made by the players to complete their round within the allotted time for the final check point. Match Play
First Breach during Round = Each player in the group subject to warning. Second Breach during Round = Loss of hole. Group subject to being asked to skip open holes to close gap. Third Breach during Round = Loss of hole. Group subject to being asked to skip open holes to close gap. Fourth Breach during Round = Each player in the group subject to potential disqualification.
Notification Any group that completes a checkpoint hole in breach of the pace of play policy will be notified by a member of the Committee, a Referee or an Observer. Generally, all players in the group will be liable for penalty, but the Committee may specify which player or players are liable for penalty. It is the player’s responsibility to record and include any penalties assessed on their scorecards. Penalties are to be added to the checkpoint hole where the breach occurred (usually holes #4, #9, #13 or #18). Position First group(s) off either tee – The first group(s) will be in breach of the pace of play policy if they take more than the allotted time to finish a checkpoint hole until they reach (within 15 minutes) any group ahead. After they reach a group ahead, both conditions must be met to be in breach of the pace of play policy. If a group takes more than the allotted time to finish a checkpoint AND they are not within 15 minutes of any group ahead, then they are in breach. Position with group ahead – To stay within 15 minutes of the group ahead, players should never have an open hole and they should be in the fairway on par 4’s and 5’s when the group ahead leaves the green. EWGA Championship & EWGA Cup Revision Date: August 28, 2013
App AA-22-Pace of Play Policy Page 1 of 2
Concerned Players and Appeals A player concerned about slow players in a group should first remind that player of the pace of play policy and encourage them to play more efficiently. The concerned player may, before or after penalties are assessed, request a Referee to monitor the group. Players are not to raise objections regarding penalties at checkpoint holes. Appeals for exceptional situations will be considered by the Committee only in the scoring area, after the completion of the round and prior to the return of a player’s scorecard. Appeals may result in one or more players not receiving a penalty. Definitions Timing – A group’s completion time at each checkpoint is measured when the flagstick is replaced in the hole once all players in the group have holed out. Allotted Time – The “allotted time” is the maximum time allowed to complete play of the course or the holes between checkpoints. The allotted time is predetermined by the Tournament Committee and may be adjusted between rounds. Time for ball searches, rulings, and walking or travel time between holes is included in the allotted time. Rule 6-7. Undue Delay; Slow Play states: “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.” Notes: The EWGA TOPS Committee reserves the right to adjust the number of check points holes based on the available volunteer base. During the 2013 EWGA Cup season, the checkpoint Pace of Play Policy will be utilized as a means to test under match play format. The TOPS Committee recognizes there are aspects of match play format that may make implementation of a checkpoint system more challenging and wants to capture and review data on issues surrounding shotgun starts, impact of matches ending prior to completing eighteen holes, and other unique aspects of match play format as it relates to a checkpoint pace of play policy prior to full implementation. This feedback will be invaluable in helping identify any needed adjustments before a suitable pace of play checkpoint policy can be fully implemented for the EWGA Cup match play format. The EWGA Tournament Operations Committee sincerely requests and appreciates your cooperation. By eliminating slow play, the Championship and The Cup will be a more pleasant experience for everyone. An efficient pace of play will foster goodwill from other golfers and the golf facility as well as the golf community. This policy reflects the mission of the EWGA: "Connecting women to learn, play and enjoy golf for business and for fun.”
EWGA Championship & EWGA Cup Revision Date: August 28, 2013
App AA-22-Pace of Play Policy Page 2 of 2
Checkpoints will be located on holes #4, #9, #13 and #18, unless otherwise indicated. Each group is responsible for monitoring their own pace. Other than the first bad timing at a check-point, players will not receive warnings. To avoid penalty, groups must complete each checkpoint hole: 1. Under the allotted time (indicated on scorecard), or 2. Within 15 minutes of the group ahead. All players in a group in breach of the pace of play policy at any checkpoint are subject to penalty.
Penalties Stroke Play
First Breach during Round = Each player in the group subject to warning. Second Breach during Round = Each player in the group subject to 1 stroke penalty. Third Breach during Round = Each player in the group subject to additional 2 stroke penalty. Fourth Breach during Round = Each player in the group subject to potential disqualification. If a group clears the 3rd checkpoint and has not missed any other check points, but is out of position at the 4th check point, each player in the group is subject to a one stroke penalty if in the Committee’s view a reasonable effort was not made by the players to complete their round within the allotted time for the final check point. Match Play
First Breach during Round = Each player in the group subject to warning. Second Breach during Round = Loss of hole. Group subject to being asked to skip open holes to close gap. Third Breach during Round = Loss of hole. Group subject to being asked to skip open holes to close gap. Fourth Breach during Round = Each player in the group subject to potential disqualification.
Notification Any group that completes a checkpoint hole in breach of the pace of play policy will be notified by a member of the Committee, a Referee or an Observer. Generally, all players in the group will be liable for penalty, but the Committee may specify which player or players are liable for penalty. It is the player’s responsibility to record and include any penalties assessed on their scorecards. Penalties are to be added to the checkpoint hole where the breach occurred (usually holes #4, #9, #13 or #18). Position First group(s) off either tee – The first group(s) will be in breach of the pace of play policy if they take more than the allotted time to finish a checkpoint hole until they reach (within 15 minutes) any group ahead. After they reach a group ahead, both conditions must be met to be in breach of the pace of play policy. If a group takes more than the allotted time to finish a checkpoint AND they are not within 15 minutes of any group ahead, then they are in breach. Position with group ahead – To stay within 15 minutes of the group ahead, players should never have an open hole and they should be in the fairway on par 4’s and 5’s when the group ahead leaves the green. EWGA Championship & EWGA Cup Revision Date: August 28, 2013
App AA-22-Pace of Play Policy Page 1 of 2
Concerned Players and Appeals A player concerned about slow players in a group should first remind that player of the pace of play policy and encourage them to play more efficiently. The concerned player may, before or after penalties are assessed, request a Referee to monitor the group. Players are not to raise objections regarding penalties at checkpoint holes. Appeals for exceptional situations will be considered by the Committee only in the scoring area, after the completion of the round and prior to the return of a player’s scorecard. Appeals may result in one or more players not receiving a penalty. Definitions Timing – A group’s completion time at each checkpoint is measured when the flagstick is replaced in the hole once all players in the group have holed out. Allotted Time – The “allotted time” is the maximum time allowed to complete play of the course or the holes between checkpoints. The allotted time is predetermined by the Tournament Committee and may be adjusted between rounds. Time for ball searches, rulings, and walking or travel time between holes is included in the allotted time. Rule 6-7. Undue Delay; Slow Play states: “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.” Notes: The EWGA TOPS Committee reserves the right to adjust the number of check points holes based on the available volunteer base. During the 2013 EWGA Cup season, the checkpoint Pace of Play Policy will be utilized as a means to test under match play format. The TOPS Committee recognizes there are aspects of match play format that may make implementation of a checkpoint system more challenging and wants to capture and review data on issues surrounding shotgun starts, impact of matches ending prior to completing eighteen holes, and other unique aspects of match play format as it relates to a checkpoint pace of play policy prior to full implementation. This feedback will be invaluable in helping identify any needed adjustments before a suitable pace of play checkpoint policy can be fully implemented for the EWGA Cup match play format. The EWGA Tournament Operations Committee sincerely requests and appreciates your cooperation. By eliminating slow play, the Championship and The Cup will be a more pleasant experience for everyone. An efficient pace of play will foster goodwill from other golfers and the golf facility as well as the golf community. This policy reflects the mission of the EWGA: "Connecting women to learn, play and enjoy golf for business and for fun.”
EWGA Championship & EWGA Cup Revision Date: August 28, 2013
App AA-22-Pace of Play Policy Page 2 of 2
