July 2003TO PLAYERS IN 2003 U.S. AMATEUR
PUBLIC LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP:
Pace of Play Policy
Rule 6-7 states, in part: "The player shall play
without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play
guidelines which may be laid down by the Committee," and
thereafter prescribes penalties for slow play. In order to
prevent any such penalty we suggest that you review carefully
the following guidelines.
Allotted Time
When play is in groups of three (stroke play), groups will
be required to play at no more than a 4-hour and 35-minute pace
for the 18-hole round. (See attached
Pace of Play Time Chart
.) When play is in groups of two (match play), groups will be
required to play at no more than a 3-hour and 58-minuute pace
for the 18-hole round (see attached
Pace of Play Time Chart
.)
Definition of "Out of Position"
The first group(s) to start will be considered out of
position if, at any time during the round, the group is behind
the prescribed schedule as detailed on the attached Pace of
Play Time Chart.
Any following group will be
considered out of position if it (a) is taking more than the
allotted time to play
and
(b) reaches the teeing ground of a par-3 hole and the preceding
group has cleared the next tee; reaches the teeing ground of a
par-4 hole
and
the putting green is clear;
or
reaches the teeing ground of a par-5 hole when the preceding
group is on the putting green. Both (a) and (b) must apply for
a group to be out of position.
Group or Match Out of Position
If a group/match is out of position, the players in that
group/match may be monitored and timed. Anytime a group/match
is to be monitored and timed the players will be notified of
such timing by a Rules Rover. The notification by the Rules
Rover will be made immediately after all players complete their
tee shots on the hole where monitoring will begin.
Timing
When a group/match is being monitored and timed each player
in the group/match is expected to play any stroke within 40
seconds after timing of the player's stroke begins.
Other than on the putting green,
the timing of a player's stroke will begin when he has had
reasonable opportunity to reach his ball, it is his turn to
play and he can play without interference or distraction. Time
spent determining yardage will count as part of the time taken
for the next stroke.
On the putting green, timing will begin after a player has
been allowed a reasonable amount of time to lift, clean and
replace his ball, repair his ball mark and other ball marks on
his line of putt and remove loose impediments on his line of
putt.
Time spent looking at the line from beyond the hole and/or
behind the ball will count as part of the time taken for the
next stroke.
NOTE:
A player is permitted 40 seconds to play a stroke. An extra
10 seconds (for a total of 50 seconds) will be allowed
for:
- the first player to play a stroke on a par-3 hole
- the first player to play a second stroke on a par-4 or
par-5 hole
- the first player to play a third stroke on a par-5
hole
- the first player to play a stroke around the putting
green
- the first player to play a stroke on the putting
green
NOTE:
The Committee reserves the right, at any time, to time a
group when the Committee deems it necessary. Players should
also be aware that the Committee may assess a "bad
time" to a player in a group which is out of position if
the player makes no effort to help his group get back in
position. An example of this would be a player who delays
play between shots.
Pace of Play Penalties
The following are the penalties, in sequence, for any player
in a group or match being timed who takes more than the
allotted time to play a stroke after timing of the player's
stroke begins:
Stroke Play
One bad timing exceeding the allotted
time - warning
A second bad timing - 1 stroke penalty
A third bad timing - Additional 2 stroke penalty
A fourth bad timing - Disqualification
Match Play
One bad timing exceeding the allotted
time - warning
A second bad timing - loss of hole
A third bad timing - warning
A fourth bad timing - Disqualification
NOTE: If the group/match in question regains its proper
position, any previous timing of more than the allotted time
will be carried over for the remainder of that round/match in
the event that the group/match requires additional
monitoring.
Rulings or Other Incidents
If a ruling or some other legitimate delay occurs which
causes the group/match in question to lose its position, that
group/match is expected to regain its position within a
reasonable time.
* * *
| Sincerely, | | Sincerely, |
 | |  |
Paul D. Caruso, Jr.
Chairman, Public Links Championship Committee | | John Morrissett
Manager, Rules of Golf and Amateur Status |
| | | |
/mes
Enclosure | | 5/13/03 |