Tournament Pace of Play

SNEWGA, the CSGA, and the USGA are very concerned about maintaining a reasonable pace of play in tournaments that they conduct.

As such, both the USGA and the CSGA have set pace of play policies. 

CSGA Pace of Play

To ensure an enjoyable pace for all, SNEWGA's Pace of Play (POP) Guidelines and Policies include the following:

  • Golf is meant to be played in 4.5 hours.
  • Scorecards have POP for each hole:
    • Keep up with the designated pace. On the scorecard, each hole will display the time the group should finish the hole, which is the “designated pace”.
  • Your position on the course is directly behind the group in front of you. It has no relation to the group behind you.  If you are not behind the group in front of you and you are behind the “designated pace”, you are “out of position”.
  • It is possible to be “out of position” with no one visible behind you.
  • If you fall behind, make every effort to catch back up, including:
    • playing ready golf on every shot, including the tee
    • putting out on the green
    • bringing several clubs with you to your shot and proceeding to your ball before it is your turn (while staying out of the way)
    • hitting immediately when it is your turn, even if others are helping search for someone’s ball
  • Record on the scorecard your group’s actual start & end times for the round
  • If a member of your group indicates that your group is behind pace and needs to catch up to the group in front, all members of the group must be open to receiving this feedback. This communication should be received respectfully by all members of the group, and all due effort should be taken to catch up.
  • If a ranger or official informs you that you are out of position, this should be received respectfully by all members of the group, and all due effort should be taken to catch up.
  • If your group finishes the round more than 14 minutes behind the group in front of you, this is “out of position”.

Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the tournament director.

Here are some easy-to-implement Pace of Play tips that will help us all speed up our foursome.  Please read our Pace of Play blog found on the home page below the scrolling photos.