Friends Don’t Let Friends Play Slow!

Pace of Play NewClub Rules

There is nothing more frustrating than slow play in golf. Our Captain’s, Vice Captains, and Staff do our best to ensure that the pace of play is never an issue. However, at the end of the day, the pace of play rests in the hands of our members, and we need everyone to hold each other accountable (Friends Don’t Let Friends Play Slow!). To help achieve our pace of play standards, NewClub has three local rules that are always in effect for every NewClub round you will ever play. 

Three NewClub local rules that are always in effect: 

• Never re-tee, play every lost ball and out of bounds as a lateral drop within two club lengths of the nearest point or boundary line with a 1-stroke penalty

• Includes the option to use USGA local rule E-5 (dropping at the edge of the fairway with a 2-stroke penalty)

• A max score of net-double bogey per hole 

• Play ‘ready golf’ (see below)

Listed below are some examples of ‘Ready Golf’ which is to be implemented in every NewClub round: 

• Doing your pre-shot prep while others are playing

• Walk and talk, not while standing on greens and tees.

• The conversation pauses 10-15 yards out from your next shot.  

• Hitting your shot if a player is farther away and taking time to assess their options.

• Shorter hitters play first from the tee or fairway, if longer hitters have to wait.

• Hitting a tee shot if the player with the honor is delayed in being ready to play.

• Hitting a shot before helping a fellow competitor look for a lost ball.

• Looking for a lost ball no more than two minutes (USGA & R&A limit is three mins, it takes an average human 200 yards to walk three mins)

• Putting out, even if it means standing on or close to a competitor’s line.

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

• When a player’s ball has gone over the green, any player closer to the hole should play while the other player walks to their ball. 

• Writing down scores for the match on the next tee while waiting for your turn to play rather than on the previous green.

• Allow faster groups to play through, and await permission when playing through

• Be a ‘ready golf’ leader, not a follower. Always be ready to hit your shot if someone else is not, and let it fly!

Examples of best match play practices for a proper pace of play: 

• Preparing the scorecard with teams, handicaps, and stroke allocations before the round begins

• Conceding a hole if your opponents have you beaten. 

• Picking up if your score for that hole will not contribute to your team. 

• Announce the individual hole handicaps and stroke allocations while walking from the green to the next tee and not during the course of play.

• Conceding putts of minimal length or insignificance to the match. 

This list is not exhaustive. Moreover, keeping up with the group in front rather than ahead of the group behind is paramount. These may seem simplistic but slow play can spoil the enjoyment of your fellow members and seriously affect your standing within NewClub. 

Finally, we are a match-play-centric club and encourage every round you play with NewClub outside of our Medal and Stroke play competitions to be friendly, competitive, and courteous match play. In a normal four-some, a Four ball match is recommended. A positive by-product of match play is a more brisk pace of play.