Self-control of the pace of play

In 2016, "R&A Rules Ltd" published a guide «The pace of play" ("Pace-of-Play Manual" - see www.randa.org)

In particular, the R&A recommends when organizing tournaments to apply the "self-control system".

From 2017 season the self-control system will be used during most of the club tournaments in Moscow Country club.

When the self-control system will be applied we will announce it before the beginning of each tournament.

Description of self-control system.

When using this system the players of each group on their own, according to the official clock of the competition, compare and record the times of the pace of play at the four checkpoints, checking with the schedule. The checkpoints are placed after 4, 9, 13 and 18 holes.

It is believed that the group was "behind schedule" if:

1. For the first group (or group with increased starting interval - regardless of any groups behind) – time fixed at a checkpoint exceeds allotted time to complete the game on a given hole.

2. For other groups – if any time exceeds the allotted time at any checkpoint or a delay of the group ahead exceeds starting interval for more than 5 minutes (simultaneous fulfillment of two conditions).

In the case of "out of schedule or time” all players of the group shall be fined in the following sequence:

• first violation – warning;

• second violation – 1 stroke penalty;

• third violation – 2 stroke penalty;

• fourth violation – disqualification.

If the group had no delay on the first three checkpoints and then delayed after 18 holes, the players of the group receive one stroke penalty without prior warning if there was not a valid reason.

Example 1:

The group placed the flag on the green of hole 4 at 11:03. By the schedule the group had to finish at 10.57, the delay is 6 minutes. The previous group finished at 10.49 which mean 14 minutes behind the group ahead. No penalty in this case.

Example 2:

The group placed the flag on the green of hole 4 at 10:58. By the schedule the group had to finish at 10.57, the delay is 1 minute. The previous group finished at 10.43 which mean 15 minutes behind the group ahead and exceeds starting interval for more than 5 minutes. The group get a warning.

The responsibility for writing the penalty in the score card is of the players themselves

The time that the group needs to record at each checkpoint is the time of placing the flag on the official clock of the competition. Any incorrect timings recorded on the checkpoints is equal to the "behind the schedule" of this group. Recording an incorrect time of passing the checkpoint is a violation of Etiquette and the Committee may apply the disqualification under Rule 33-7.

If any player is penalized for slow play may be released from liability by the decision of the Committee only if:

1. The delay of the player was caused by the Committee’s actions;

2. The delay of the player was caused by events not controlled by the player or group;

3. The delay of the player was caused by the actions of another player, which is confirmed by the referee or marshal.

If a player believes that his group is behind due to the slow play of other players, he has to inform the referee or marshal, which organizes personal control of the group. Only in this case, the Committee exceptionally may take the decision to release from a penalty the individual players who were not guilty of delay of play.

Search of the balls, a bad game, waiting for referee decisions are not basis for protest.

If the player who suppose to get the penalty did not ask the advice of the Committee before returning his score card, it is considered that he was aware of the need to add penalty and agreed with it.