USGA RULE OF THE WEEK
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WEEK 7 — PACE OF PLAY
Almost all tournament or golf course Committees will develop a pace of play policy for the competition they are conducting or for everyday play at their golf course. While it is the Committee's responsibility to provide a pace of play policy (if desired), it is ultimately the player's responsibility to play at a good pace.
There are many ways for players to keep up a moderate pace throughout the round. As we learned in Week 1 (Etiquette), there are specific guidelines in this section regarding pace of play; stressing the importance of the topic. Specifically, players should always plan the next shot while walking to the ball or while others are playing. This will assist in being ready to play when it is his turn. Regardless of with whom players are playing (best friend, fierce rival, business associate, family member, etc.), they should always walk briskly between shots and walk directly to the golf ball, not following others unless assisting in a search. One very helpful tip, especially when riding in a cart that is restricted to paths only, is to take several clubs to the ball to avoid having to walk back to the cart. Finally, the pre-shot routine is another area where players may subconsciously spend a lot of time. This routine should be efficient, with only one practice swing.
A Committee or a player must not waive a Rule of Golf in order to help speed up play. For example, under the Rules, a wooded area does not meet the Definition of a "Water Hazard". Therefore, such areas should not be marked as a water hazard (or lateral water hazard) as they do not contain water or a water course. Under the Rules, these areas should either be treated as through the green or out of bounds.
For a ball that may be lost or out of bounds, players are encouraged to play a provisional ball if there is any possibility that the original might be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds. If a provisional ball has not been played, the player's only option is to return to where the previous stroke was last played. There is nothing in the Rules that allows players to drop in the area where the original was likely to be lost or where it went out of bounds (Decision 20-7/1).
Other examples of waiving a Rule, not permitted under the Rules of Golf, that Committees erroneously adopt are establishing a drop area on the putting green side of a water hazard (Decision 33-8/2) or placing a stroke limit on a hole (i.e., double par, maximum of 10).
As we mentioned above, there are many great ways to improve the pace of play without waiving or modifying a Rule of Golf.
Reprinted with permission from the USGA.
