Pace of Play T
he USGA has shined its considerable spotlight on pace of play in 2014 with the launching of its pace initiative, “While We’re Young.” Featuring a series of commercials
starring Tiger Woods, Clint Eastwood, Arnold Palmer and more, the initiative is organized around fi ve major research and education elements:
Analysis of Key Factors
Factors known to infl u- ence pace of play include course design (overall length, green-to-tee walks, location and num- ber of hazards), course management and setup (green speed, hole loca- tions, height and location of rough), player manage- ment (most signifi cantly, the proper distribution of starting times), and the effectiveness of player education programs. Research to Produce
Pace-of-Play Modeling A major study is un- derway at the USGA’s Research and Test Center to create the fi rst-ever dynamic model of pace of play based on quan- tifi able data—a model that will be applicable to both competitive and recreational golf. Previous models and programs ad- dressing pace of play have
been based largely on ob- servations and anecdotal evidence, while the new USGA model will draw from large-scale real- world inputs, including data from the PGA Tour’s Shotlink system. Once completed, analysis of the model should greatly increase understanding of the key factors affecting pace of play, and allow recommendations for improving pace of play on a course-by-course basis. Pace Rating System
The Test Center model will drive improvements in the USGA Pace Rating System, fi rst developed in 1993 to help players com- plete a round of golf at an optimal, reasonable pace. The USGA Handicap Department will utilize data from the Test Center model to better customize the Pace Rating System for individual courses On-site Assistance at
Golf Courses New programs to help golf course managers as- sess and improve pace of play will be delivered by the USGA Green Section through its Turf Advisory Service. The group will expand its educational efforts about aspects of course management that impact pace of play. The on-site visits will evaluate the overall playing quality
of a golf course, of which pace of play is a central component. Recommen- dations provided by the USGA may also generate economic and environ- mental benefi ts, provid- ing additional incentives for course managers to implement new practices. Player Education Programs The USGA will use its communication channels to reach its members and the larger golf commu- nity with messages on improving pace of play, such as picking up one’s ball on a hole once a player’s Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) limit is reached. Other efforts could include promotion of alternate formats such as match play, foursomes and Stableford scoring— which are popular in other parts of the world and take less time to play than the standard indi- vidual stroke-play format. The USGA will also
work to promote the nine-hole round of golf as a viable option for golfers who are pressed for time. A nine-hole round is fully compatible with both the Rules of Golf and the USGA Handicap System. Visit
USGA.org/ PaceofPlay for more resources for both players and facilities. –Excerpted from
USGA.org.
NCGA Tournament Pace of Play Policy
T
he NCGA is a leader in tour- nament pace management, introducing a system in 2002 that utilizes checkpoints. The NCGA’s system was adapted from the Royal Canadian Golf Association. It has since been adopted by the USGA in all its events, except for the profes- sional open championships. The NCGA pace of play
policy places the responsibility for maintaining pace of play on the player in a championship. If players are in the fi rst group in the fi eld, they are expected to play effi cient golf. If players are in a following group, they should keep up with the group in front of them. Using this system means there will not be a pace- of-play issue. There are no warn- ings issued under this system. Scorecards will have the ex- pected time each group should complete each hole. If a group falls behind, it is expected to play effi cient golf and move back into position. This might mean playing ready golf or con- tinuous putting, both allowed in stroke play.
“It cut up to an hour off our
rounds at Spyglass Hill,” NCGA Director of Rules and Competi- tions Ryan Gregg says. “There was some discussion that the system was too penal in that all players in an out-of-position group received a penalty. But one of our board members at the time, Lon Haskew (who is also a highly respected USGA rules offi cial) disagreed. I remember him saying, ‘Why not do this? Nothing else seems to be working.’”
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