Play
Pace of Play Policy
Keeping the game flowing for every player on the course.
Contents
Purpose
This policy addresses slow play in accordance with the R&A Rules of Golf. It has been adopted to ensure competition rounds are played at a prompt pace by all players at Kingston Beach Golf Club.
- Abiding by R&A Rules of Golf — Pace of Play (Rule 5.6b)
- Ensuring players keep pace with the group ahead
- Introducing, educating, and enforcing Ready Golf standards
- Monitoring play and enforcing Rule 5.6b
- Highlighting practical timesaving hints
Principles
All groups must keep pace with the group in front, with no more than a one-minute delay permitted at any point on the course.
Tee Times
- Tee times are strictly observed
- Check in with the Pro Shop at least 10 minutes before your tee time
- Be at the tee 5 minutes before your scheduled time
- Late arrivals cannot be guaranteed a round
- Delayed players must ring and advise the Pro Shop. Failure to notify the starter of a no-show may incur penalties.
Ready Golf Standards
- On the tee, the first player READY hits off
- On fairways, the first player READY plays their shot regardless of distance — provided it is safe to do so
- On the green, prepare while others are putting so you are ready when it is your turn. Once you start putting, finish out unless you are in someone's line.
- In a group of four that has fallen behind: when 2 players have putted out, they immediately move to the next tee
- All players are equally responsible for maintaining their position in the field and achieving the Target Time
Monitoring & Enforcement
Enforcement follows a four-stage escalation process. No penalty is applied until a member has had the opportunity to meet with the Match Committee.
Letter to Request Cooperation
A player repeatedly finishing 12 or more minutes behind the group ahead will receive a written notice requesting cooperation.
Report to Committee — Monitoring & Suspension
A player repeatedly in the slow category is asked to attend a Match Committee meeting. No penalties are applied until the member has met with the Committee. Failure to attend results in an automatic penalty.
- Each future infringement over 12 weeks: 2-shot penalty (or loss of hole in Par, 2-point deduction in Stableford)
- Player unable to book for 2 weeks
- Player placed on 12-week probation — 2 further offences triggers Stage 3
Subsequent Offences — Suspension
A player found in a slow group during Stage 2 probation will be asked to explain. Suspension from competition play for 2 or more weeks may be imposed, with extended suspensions for multiple breaches.
Immediate Penalty — Severe Breach
An immediate penalty applies to any group that loses 18 or more minutes, OR finishes 18 or more minutes behind the group in front AND finishes their round over 4 hours 30 minutes. Note: 18 minutes is sufficient time to complete any hole at Kingston Beach.
- Stroke play: 2-stroke penalty
- Stableford: 2-point deduction
- Par: 1 loss of hole
Match Committee decision is final.
Timesaver Hints
Small habits that keep the game moving for everyone.
Always be ready to hit
- Proceed directly to your own ball
- Plan your shot and select your club while approaching the ball
- Take only one practice swing while others are hitting
- When in doubt, advise your marker and hit a provisional ball
- Encourage partners to maintain pace
- Know the Rules — OOB, penalty areas, and lost balls
Don't waste time
- Starting after a gap: make every effort to catch the group in front
- Never record scores on or near the green — write them at the next tee
- Don't leave your cart or bag in front of the green — leave it to the side toward the next tee
- Carry extra tees, balls, and markers in your pocket
- If safe to do so, encourage players on an incorrect fairway to play through
- Purchase food and drink quickly — don't stop to chat if your group is out of position
- Don't give lessons on the course — save them for the practice area
On the tee
- The first player ready hits as soon as it is safe to do so
- Encourage partners to tee off when ready
- Other players wait beside the tee markers
- Watch all shots to help locate balls
- After hitting, return to your clubs and proceed to your ball
On the green
- Park clubs or cart beside the green in line with the next tee
- Study your line and slope before it is your turn
- Encourage partners to putt when ready
- Follow continuous putting until holed out, unless in someone's line
- The first two players to finish putting proceed immediately to the next tee — no standing around
Document Control
| Date | Version | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 16 May 2023 | 1.0 | Initial draft endorsed by C&M Committee |
Rules & Policies
Questions about pace of play?
Contact the Pro Shop — our team can clarify the policy or field concerns before your round.