A quick guide to the new rules on slow play

New regulations for slow play in golf will likely come into effect on April 1, 2012. Slow play is a major concern to players and officials of the game and the five- to six-hour round is not unusual in professional competitions. Many private clubs are also experiencing tedious, extended rounds in competitions.

The R&A have long been concerned with this unwelcome trend and in Section 1 of the Rules of Golf, Etiquette: Behaviour on the Course, their advice on pace of play is clear. Unfortunately, it is often ignored. The R&A have accepted that if they cannot persuade golfers to avoid slow play then they may have to regulate them. The new rules, if adopted, will be used in both professional and amateur slow-play competitions.

RULES OF GOLF APPENDIX IV
Accepted Rules of Slow Play

Rule 1: The Teeing Ground

(a). No slow player will approach the teeing ground until it is completely clear of other players. The initial approach will be made without a club or ball in order for the player to ascertain the direction and distance of the next hole. The player may then return to his bag to select the required club and a ball.

(b). After teeing-up, the slow player must retreat at least ten yards, keeping the ball and the intended target in line, and consider the shot for an appropriate length of time. He may then select another club or put on his glove, or do both of these things, before addressing the ball for the first time. A player may step back from the address no more than three times.

(c). A player may have no more than six practice swings and five jiggles before the final address, which must last at least 20 seconds before the stroke is made. The player must retain his position on the teeing ground until 10 seconds after the ball has come to rest.

(d). On returning to his bag, the player will return the club to the correct slot in no more than three attempts. All clubs, including irons, will have head covers which require careful replacement. Before moving to his ball, the player should remove his glove, adjust his clothing and consult his scorecard.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE

For the slow player – none For the following groups – a hint of impending doom

Rule 2: The Walk

(a). A measured pace is to be maintained, but never directly towards where the ball has come to rest. Should a partner be required to play first, the slow player must never walk forward of him regardless of whether his ball is in line of play or not.

(b). Within ten yards of his ball, the slow player will reduce his pace appreciably before circling his ball in order to examine the ground around it. Before playing the ball, procedures prior to the address as set out in Rule 1 of this Annex will be adopted.

(c). At no time during the walk will the player consider which club to use next or acknowledge the presence of anyone else playing with or behind him.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE

For the slow player – none For the following groups – at least two shots dropped through rising exasperation

Rule 3: Searching for lost balls

In searching for a lost ball, the slow player will conform with Rule 12. In addition he must:

(a). Never take his bag to within 50 yards of the search area.

(b). Never carry a suitable iron or two that may be used when the ball is found.

(c). Always search assiduously for a ball in stableford competitions even when he is already three over handicap par for that hole.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE

For the slow player – none For the following groups (now two groups of fourballs) – some shared blaspheming and an increase in the floridity of the complexion of any retired major.

Rule 4: The Putting Green

Approach
When approaching the putting green, the slow player will ascertain the route to the next hole and position his bag/trolley on the opposite side of the green to it. He will then approach his ball on a circuitous route from beyond the flag, at times stooping or moving backwards or sideways to establish the contours of the green from all angles, except that of his line of putt, taking care to remove all loose impediments anywhere on the green. Preparation On reaching his ball, he will mark it carefully and take it to his bag to clean. The cleaning process will not start until it is his turn to putt. After cleaning, he will replace his ball so that the maker’s name, or any self-inscribed mark, is lined up exactly on the calculated putting line. This may be adjusted no more than four times. The player will then enter the final phase of lining up. This must include:

(a). Calculating the line from the other side of the pin, from both sides and again from behind the ball.

(b). Kneeling or crouching using the putter as a plumb-line or as a prop, preferably on someone else’s line.

(c). Removing the pin to gaze into the hole.

(d). Marking his ball carefully before adjusting its line following the second deliberation.

(e). Retreating to the edge of the green to ask his partners if it is his turn.

The putt and sequential actions
(a). Unless a putt is holed, the slow player must not follow the ball immediately. Instead he may check the line and practice his stroke a minimum of three times before marking his ball and lining up again until such time as the putt is holed. In a friendly, it is essential to hole out even though the putt is given.

(b). Before leaving the green, two more practice putts are permitted to ensure the line is noted for future play. The score should be registered before moving to the player’s bag/trolley and the scorecard checked while ambling along the front of the green to the next hole.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE

For the slow player – none For the following groups (now three) – much angry discussion and the suggestion of at least one seizure

Rule 5: Equipment

(a). The Glove. The glove must never be put on until immediately before the address and must be removed prior to the walk. It must be removed one finger at a time prior to putting and placed partly in the hip pocket.

(b). Tees and markers. These must always be difficult to get at, often necessitating the removal of the glove or a search in the bag. When waterproof trousers are worn during a round, tees and markers must be left in the pocket of the normal pair of trousers in order to make them even more difficult to get at.

(c). Spectacles. These must always be cleaned, whatever the weather conditions, after the first address and before the stroke. In wet weather, the club may be leaned against the player’s thigh while the cleaning process is conducted so that it invariably falls to the ground, thereby necessitating the use of a towel to dry the grip.

(d). Measuring devices (MD). MDs should be used prior to every shot and the distance passed to anyone within earshot. It is especially important to measure the distance from tee to pin on the par-fives. If the ball falls appreciably short or overshoots the green, the distance should be checked again.

(e). The scorecard. For accuracy it is preferable to mark the scorecard on the green or close to it. This will render unlikely a false score being recorded due to a lapse of memory. The running total will be checked at least four times per round prior to the address. At the conclusion of the round, the scorecard will be completed on or close to the green.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULES

For the slow player – none For the following groups (now four) – two broken clubs, a damaged tree, a bruised dog and collective heart rates through the roof

Rule 6: Awareness

Except in the unlikely event that he might drive through or hit a player in a preceding group, the slow player needs to be totally unaware of other players, including his partners. The only exception to this rule will be in the bar after the game when he will ask the players coming in behind him if they had enjoyed their rounds.