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PACE-OF-PLAY
(POP)
HGoOC Policy:
(Updated 20260201)
·
Complete round in 4 hours and 30 minutes
or less.
o
Generally, 15 min per hole (times may be adjusted based on par
level of the hole) to complete 18 holes = 4 hours and 30 minutes
Play “Ready Golf”:
Don’t demand, expect or play “honors” or “your tee” if you are
not ready to play. It's okay to hit/putt before someone behind
you (“away”) if you can reasonably do so. Pace of play is very
important. Each golfer in your group will be penalized 1 stroke
a hole if your group finishes 15 minutes (gap) or more behind
the preceding group. (20250506)
·
Any group with 1 or more open ("gap") holes in front of them
will be
assessed as follows:
o
Duration Gap 15 minutes to 20 minutes = 1 stroke
o
Duration Gap 20 minutes to 25 minutes = 2 stroke
o
Duration Gap 25 minutes to 30 minutes = 3 stroke
o
Duration Gap 30 minutes to 40 minutes = 4 stroke
o
Duration Gap over 40 minutes = DQ (disqualification)
·
Golf Genius (GG) mobile scoring summary email timestamp along
with Raguzzi Chart will be used to set and check tournament pace
of play.
·
1 stroke penalty for
GG
scorecards not submitted within 15 minutes
of completing their last hole, regardless of your groups pace of
play.
NOTE:
Your reference MUST be the group in front of you, do not worry about
the group behind you. In other words, keep pace with the group IN
FRONT of your group. There will be times when you will lose sight
of them, but they can only go as fast as the group in front of them,
so your group will eventually catch up. Don’t slow down or give
up, keep playing. The goal is to keep up and not lose sight of the
group in front of yours.
Some Recommended ways to improve your pace of play:
·
Play ready golf
EVERYWHERE!
·
Check your group's
scheduled PoP time intervals on official
GG
scorecards and make adjustments as needed.
·
In the fairway move
quickly to your ball and think of what club to use before getting
there.
·
If you just hit a well
struck 180-yard drive and you are 200 yards to the green, it’s
pretty safe that you can hit your second shot before the group in
front leaves the green. Be realistic with your game; but also, don’t
hit into the group in front of you.
·
If you are in a cart,
while one player is hitting, the other player should be at their
ball ready to hit.
·
When you get on the
green, start figuring out your putt. Don’t wait until it is your
turn to do this.
·
On the green, putt out
if it doesn’t interfere with another player’s line. When you finish,
head to the next tee and hit. Don’t wait until all players have
putted out to go to the next tee.
·
If a player is extra
slow on a hole (looking for a ball, multiple shots out of the trap,
etc.), continue playing your ball and even putt out (complete the
hole). For example, if the player that is away on the green is
still raking the trap, continue play (putt out) instead of waiting.
·
Proceed to the next
tee box as soon as you get off the green. Clean your clubs/putter
and record your scores at the next tee box not near the green.
·
Don’t hesitate to
inform others in your foursome that your group is lagging and each
of you must pick up the pace.
·
Enforce maximum lost
ball search time limit (3 mins).
·
When needed, use the
USGA OB and Lost Ball Alternate Stroke and Distance Rule.
·
Use HGoOC “Max Score”
(net double par), especially when your group is behind.
o
NET
double par is 2 times par plus handicap (on that hole). So, if a
golfer gets 1 stroke (handicap) on a par 4, golfer records a max
score of 9; if golfer gets 2 strokes, golfer records a 10; and if
golfer gets 3 strokes, golfer records a 11.
Keep in mind, taking HGoOC max score eliminates golfer from Low Net
Total and Low Net Front OR Back (depending on the hole location).
Also, golfer is “out” of Ace and any other Overall Low Net
competitions. Golfer is still “in” all other side action (i.e. Net
Skins, Uncovered Birdies, KPs and Second Chance).
·
On Par 3s, when your
group is on the green and your next tee box/fairway is not open;
call/wave up the group behind yours (if they are ready and waiting
on the tee box).
·
Be aware of your shot
process/routine length of time. If it is not within 40 seconds,
work on getting it down. USGA recommends 40 seconds, and usually
less time than that is needed.
·
Limit or don't take
practice swings, especially on the tee box. Most professional and
highly skilled golfers do not take any practice swings while
addressing their ball.
·
If you are far behind
the group in front of yours, you should try to catch up, even if
your pace of play is currently good.
* Guests must play within our POP. The guest and the member will
both be penalized, even if the member is not playing in the same
group. If a guest is penalized for slow POP, that guest will not be
allowed to play in any HGoOC tournaments
for 12 months/1 year
going forward. |
