Slow Play
Pace of Play Policy
It is the responsibility of all players to ensure that they respect the rules of golf etiquette, maintain a good pace of play and do not delay fellow golfers. The new rules of golf to be introduced in 2019 are designed to improve the pace of play and avoid unnecessary delay.

Longcliffe has adopted the principles of 'Ready Golf' which are encouraged by the R and A. These include:

Take no longer than 40 seconds over your shot.
If you are ready to play, and it's safe, then play.
No honour - except in match play - the first player ready plays.
Shorter hitters play first from the tee or fairway if longer hitters have to wait.
Players should play their own ball before helping to look for a lost ball.
Around the green, play rather than wait for a player to rake a bunker or walk to the back of the green to assess their shot. Putt out even if it means standing close to someone else’s line.
There are no hard and fast rules to ready golf, but a few sensible ideas to avoid slow play and develop the 'Ready Golf' habit . If each player saves 1 minute on each hole (3 minutes for a three ball) then a considerable amount of time can be saved.

There will be occasions when delays occur - looking for a lost ball - for example. The R and A Rules of Golf etiquette state "It is a group's responsibility to keep up with the match in front. If a group loses a clear hole and delays the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through......" The group behind may be playing at the same pace, but the group 2 matches behind them may be playing at a faster pace and experience frustration.

Etiquette - Do's and Don'ts

Keep up with the match in front ..... not ahead of the match behind.

If you fall a hole behind allow the following match to play through...

Allow the match on a forward tee to play first .......

Be quiet when another match is putting on an adjoining green....

Wait until the match on 7th green has putted out before teeing off on the 10th tee....

When walking out don't join the course on a hole when there are golfers on the preceding hole....

Management Committee July 2018