Addressing Slow Play in Willmotts Competitions & Roll Ups

This year we are having greater numbers entering Willmotts competitions and the tee times between first and last groups have been extended when compared to previous years. This means that the last groups are finishing later than previously.

On occasions, slow play has also been a problem with a reluctance by some players and groups of players to adhere to the usual etiquette in relation to addressing slow play. Slow play detracts from the enjoyment of the game for many players and also means that finishing times become later than players had envisaged. The guidance below from the Willmotts Committee is intended to remind players how to minimise round times.

On the Course

·         All players must maintain their place in the field, which is immediately behind the group in front and not ahead of the group behind. This is a group responsibility and not an individual one. All members should be proactive in addressing the slow play problem

·         Should your group fall a clear hole behind (e.g. you are on the tee of a four or five par hole and the previous group has already left the green) and it is delaying the group behind please invite the group behind to play through (irrespective of the number of players in that group). This has not been happening in our competitions/roll ups and needs to be addressed

·         No more than five minutes is allowed to search for a ball. If you can't find your ball in 5 minutes you must proceed by enforcing the golf rules governing the conditions under which your ball was lost (see below). If more than one ball needs to be found, split up and search for all the balls at the same time

·         If you hit a ball that you think may be hard to find, or it may be out of bounds, please hit a provisional ball

·         Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found. They shouldn’t search for five minutes before doing so. Having allowed the group behind to play through, they shouldn’t continue play until the group coming through has passed and is out of range.

·         Go to your ball and get ready to hit your next shot as soon as it is feasible; i.e., not impeding another player's shot or endangering yourself. Don't always wait for your playing partners to play before going to your ball.

·         Short hitters to tee off first

·         Walk briskly between shot

·         Leave your golf bag, buggy or cart strategically placed to the side of the green nearest the next tee.

·         Always conduct yourself in a disciplined manner. Try and demonstrate courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive you may be - this is essentially the SPIRIT OF THE GAME

On the Green

·         When you reach the green, move to your ball and repair any pitch marks. Where possible, line up your putt prior to your turn to putt

·         If your ball needs to be marked, the do it as quickly as you can. Anticipate the requirements of your fellow player. Move back and line up your putt

·         Except in match play, and where you will stand on someone else's lie, when you start putting, continue until you have holed out. If playing a Stableford event and you can no longer score on that hole, pick up your ball and let others continue

·         The first player to finish putting should take control of the flag and be ready to replace it in the hole when the final player has completed the hole

·         Players should proceed to the next tee without delay. The following group should be waiting to play their approach shots, so the path taken to the next tee should be borne in mind. Think ahead; leave your cart or buggy in a place where you won't be hindering the following players

Marking of Cards

Cards should be marked as quickly as possible after completing the hole, but it is best to mark the cards at the next tee. Please mark your card when it is not your turn to play and remember, at all times your place in the field is immediately behind the group in front and not in front of the group behind.

Entering your scores following a competition

A player is responsible for signing his card and ensuring it is signed by the marker. A player must enter his score onto the computer system using the touch screen and hand his card to the Willmotts Secretary for checking. Failure to enter your score onto the computer system following a competition, even if it is a nil return or a curtailed round, will normally result in disqualification.

Please accept this guidance in the spirit of supporting fellow players to enjoy their round and not to be frustrated by excessive slow play and lack of etiquette in addressing slow play

Willmotts Committee July 2014

Slow play is a critical problem with the game of golf, and cannot be attributed to any one factor. It should not be correlated with skill level, age,gender or experiance. However, it does represent a significant issue for many golfers, often stemming from a single or twosome playing behind a group with higher numbers.

From the first drive to the last hole, each player should be ready to play when it is their turn.

Ready Golf

‘Ready Golf’ philosophy

If you are ready to play and its safe then play!

No ‘Honour’ (except Match Play) - the first player ready plays

Players should play their own ball before helping to look for a lost ball

When not playing your shot you should be preparing to play your shot

Ready Golf Examples

·        Hitting a shot when safe to do so if a player farther away faces a challenging shot and is taking time to assess their options

·        Shorter hitters playing first from the tee or fairway if longer hitters have to wait

·        Hitting a tee shot if the person with the honour is delayed in being ready to play

·        Hitting a shot before helping someone to look for a lost ball

·        Hitting a shot if a person who has just played from a greenside bunker is still farthest from the hole but is delayed due to raking the bunker

·        On approaching the Green place bag nearer to next Tee Box

·        When a player’s ball has gone over the back of a green, any player closer to the hole but chipping from the front of the green, should play while the other player is having to walk to their ball and assess their shot

·        Marking scores upon immediate arrival at the next tee, except that the first player to tee off marks their card immediately after teeing off

Normally, the player furthest from the hole plays first. While this is a good tradition to follow, golfers may play out of turn if their playing partners agree that it will speed up the pace of play, and does not cause danger to another player.

A golfer should avoid taking unreasonable time over their swing, which might well produce a bad shot.

Golfers should try to follow closely the group ahead of them, and not to be "pushed" by the group behind them.

Regardless, slow players should yield the field of play if there is substantive room in front of them. To do otherwise is remiss, and represents a deviation from etiquette of the Game.

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