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Section 1: Etiquette, safety, consideration for other players, care for the course, pace of play.

 

Etiquette

Golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.

A serious breach of etiquette is behavior by a player that shows a significant disregard for an aspect of the Etiquette Section, such as intentionally disregarding another player or intentionally offending someone. The Committee may disqualify a player under Rule 33-7 for a single act that it considers to be a serious breach of etiquette.

Safety

Be sure to use your common sense when you are on the golf course. Look around you and be aware of your surroundings. Players should ensure that no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs or the like when they make a stroke or practice swing.

Players should not play until the players in front are out of range. If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, he or she should immediately shout a warning. The traditional word of warning in such a situation is “fore.”

Consideration for Other Players

Do not be a disturbance or distraction to other players. Players should always show consideration for other players on the course and should not disturb their play by moving, talking or making unnecessary noise.

Players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course does not distract other players.

Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball, or directly behind the hole, when a player is about to play.

On the putting green, players should not stand on another player’s line of putt or, when he or she is making a stroke, cast a shadow over his/her line of putt.

Care of the Course

Bunkers – Before leaving a bunker, players should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints made by them and any nearby made by others.

Players should carefully repair any divot holes made by them and any damage to the putting green made by the impact of a ball (whether or not made by the player).

Players should ensure that no damage is done to the putting green when setting down bags or the flagstick.

In order to avoid damaging the hole, players and caddies should not stand too close to the hole and should take care during the handling of the flagstick and the removal of a ball from the hole. The head of the club should not be used to remove a ball from the hole. Players should not lean on their clubs when on the putting green.

 Pace of Play

Players should ensure a good pace. Your maximum pace of play for each hole is provided for you at the bottom of your scorecard.

The philosophy of the pace of play is that it is the players’ responsibility to keep pace; it is not the official’s responsibility to keep players on pace. Players must be vigilant of their pace of play, and be aware of their responsibility to their fellow competitors in their group and in the field. While officials will help players as much as possible, they must not wait to be informed that they are falling behind.

It is important to note that your group must work together to ensure proper pace of play. Immediately below is the NCGA Pace of Play policy. This policy is followed at all NCGA and Junior Tour events.

NCGA Pace of Play

Compliance with Pace of Play is the player’s responsibility. If you feel a fellow-competitor or opponent is unduly delaying your group speak with the player. If this discussion is ineffective, you may ask a member of the Committee to have your group monitored. The committee may choose to monitor a group without the player’s request to determine the cause of delay.

The first group in the field must complete play at the designated hole checkpoints no later than the time established by the Tournament Committee. Subsequent groups are held to the same standard. If they are unable to meet the prescribed standard due to slow play ahead of them they will be considered to have met the standard if they complete play at a designated hole checkpoint within 14 minutes of the group ahead of them. A group is considered to have completed the play of a hole when all players in the group have holed out and the flagstick is replaced in the hole.

OUT OF POSITION: The first group is out of position if it is behind its expected time. Subsequent groups are out of position if they are over their expected time and more than 14 minutes behind the group in front of them.

Scorecards have printed on them the latest time to complete the play of each hole based on a group’s scheduled starting time. These times are adjusted based on the difficulty of the course and the ability of the field. They include time to search for lost balls and deal with other common occurrences encountered during play. A normal speed of play should result in completing play before the time indicated on the scorecard. If a group falls behind, they are expected to play efficient golf and make up the lost time. This might mean playing ready golf or continuous putting, which are both allowed in stroke play. It is the PLAYERS’ RESPONSIBILITY to know their group’s position relative to the published Pace of Play and to ensure they play within the published limits. Failure to play within the POP guidelines will result in a potential Pace of Play penalty unless you appeal and the Committee upholds your appeal.

CHECKPOINTS AND PENALTIES: Tournaments will have holes designated as checkpoints monitored by a Tournament Official who will note the time that each group completes play of the hole. The official will inform each group of its status with reference to their Pace of Play.

Two (2) Check Points: Normally holes no. 9 and 18 will be used. A group that fails to meet the standard noted above will be subject to the following sanctions:

1st violation – 1 stroke penalty (Note: No warnings are issued)

2nd violation – 2 stroke penalty

NOTE: A group that receives a penalty at the first check point is not absolved from penalty if the group completes the second check point in position and on time.

PENALTIES APPLY TO ALL PLAYERS IN A GROUP: Penalty strokes are added to the score of the hole where the violation occurs. Either before or after a checkpoint if a player believes that his group is being delayed by the play of another player(s) in his group he should first address the issue with the player(s) involved. If he believes this discussion was ineffective he may indicate to a Tournament Official on the course that he would like to have his group monitored. He does not need to indicate which player(s) he believes is slowing the group.

APPEALS: After completing play and before returning a scorecard at the scoring area, players who have incurred potential Pace of Play penalties may appeal them to the Committee. If players return their scorecards without appeal, the penalty will be added to their scores. Appeals will be considered only if the player(s) have been:

• Delayed by the Committee
• Delayed because of circumstances beyond control of the player or the group
• Delayed because of another player in the group

While we do not like giving out pace of play penalties, players are certainly aware that officials have unfortunately imposed penalties for pace of play infractions. The Junior Tour of Northern California would like you to follow these guidelines in order to help you keep to proper pace of play.

• Build a pre-shot routine that is well under 40 seconds, so you don’t ever have to worry about being “on the clock.”
• In stroke play events, play ready golf – if someone isn’t quite ready to play for some reason, help them out (and your group) and be ready to go before them. Work together as a group.
• Watch errant shots for the entire group so any searches can be as quick as possible.
• Take a rake into the bunker with you.
• Place your bag between the hole and the next tee to avoid back-tracking.
• Check the hole location sheet, wind and yardages as you are walking to your ball and before it is your turn to hit. Take your practice swings so that you can hit when it is your turn.
• If, after any particular shot, you think you may be the furthest from the hole, and think you may hit first in your group, you need to walk quicker than the rest of your group and be ready to play first.
• Hit a provisional ball whenever it may be possibly needed.
• Walk ahead to the lay up area when another player has to wait to go for a par 5.
• Continuous putting is allowed in stroke play, so “finish up” on the green whenever you can.
• The first player or first two players in groups of four to complete a hole should go ahead to the next tee and be ready to play.

Finally, all players need to realize that this is a sport that requires athleticism, agility and strength. You are all athletes! Walk and carry yourselves on the course as athletes. Walk quickly and with purpose.

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