Updated Pace of Play Policy for the 2024 Season
Golf Tournament

pace of play

By the players for the players. Creating a more enjoyable tournament experience for all APT members.

The Amateur Players Tour Pace of Play policy gives the responsibility of maintaining the pace of play with the PLAYER and the GROUP.  Pace of Play plays a huge role in the experience of every player in a golf tournament. The target pace of play guideline for Amateur Players Tour events is 4:30.  USGA rule 5-6 governs pace of play in the USGA rulebook.  All tournament contestants are expected to play within the target pace of play guidelines and understand that each group's RESPONSIBILITY is to keep pace with the group IN FRONT of them.  All player's pace of play will be judged by A) time and B) position relative to the group directly in front of them.

Notes on Individual Timing.

Under USGA Rule 5-6, A round of golf is meant to be played at a prompt pace. Each player should recognize that their pace of play is likely to affect how long it will take other players to play their rounds including both those in the player’s own group and those in following groups.

According to Rule 5-6, when it is the player's turn to play: it is recommended that the player make the stroke in no more than 40 seconds after they are (or should be) able to play without interference of distraction, AND the player should usually be able to play more quickly than that and is encouraged to do so.  Players are also encouraged to play out of turn to help pace of play and play "ready golf" in a safe and responsible way.

While APT rules officials will time individual players when following a group to assist them in getting back into position, a player and/or group is not entitled to remain out of position and reference not having bad times as an excuse for continuing to be out of position.  AT AMATEUR PLAYERS TOUR EVENTS, IT IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GROUP TO KEEP POSITION WITH THE GROUP IN FRONT OF THEM.  Groups that fall out of position are expected to make up time to get back into position to avoid penalty.

Individuals who earn repeat pace of play penalties may be subject to additional sanctions by the APT.

Pace of Play Policy - Lead Group(s).

The first group(s) must finish their eighteen hole round within the allotted time allowed by the committee (4:30 unless otherwise noted on the scorecard).  If the lead group fails to finish the round within the allotted time allowed by the committee, a 2-stroke penalty will be assessed to the group or individuals in a group on their final hole of play.  Exception: If the lead group is held up by public play that was sent out before them or play that began on an opposite tee, they will be exempt from the pace of play penalty(s) if they finish over their maximum time but within 14 minutes of the group ahead of them.

Pace of Play Policy - All Other Groups.

If a group fails to finish their 18th hole within 14 minutes of the group in front of them AND within the allotted time established by the committee, a 2-stroke penalty will be assessed to the group or potentially individual(s) in a group.  NOTE: If a group is in position waiting for the group to finish on 18 fairway while the group ahead putts out on 18 green, the group in position will not be timed.

Players are advised of the following:
• Tournament officials are not required to notify a player and/or group that they are behind.  The group is responsible as well as each individual player in the group.  Each group is responsible for monitoring its own pace.  Being "in position" means you are waiting right behind the group in front of you as they finish their 18th hole.

• As a courtesy to each player, pace of play times will be printed on your official scorecard.  The times shown on the scorecard show when you should be COMPLETED with the hole.

Pace of Play Policy - Checkpoint Holes.

APT Staff has implemented Checkpoint Holes for all North American Championships, National Majors.  Checkpoint Holes are also in effect at some of the larger events throughout the APT season.  When Checkpoint Holes are in effect, each group will be timed at each checkpoint with checks to a group's A) time and B) position to the group in front of them will be performed.  Checkpoint holes are typically every 4-5 holes, or at a minimum every 9 holes.

Each group is expected to finish no more than 10 minutes behind the group in front of them at each and every checkpoint.  Groups that finish more than 14 minutes behind the group in front of them receive a bad time.

Bad Times - Yellow Card (15 min-17 min behind)
Groups that reach a checkpoint between 15 minutes and 17 minutes behind the group in front of them will receive a yellow card, which is considered an official warning.  2 Yellow Cards within one round = A Red Card a 2-stroke penalty will be assessed to the group or individuals in a group responsible.  Checkpoint holes are timed from when the group in front puts the flagstick in the hole until the your group puts the flagstick in the hole after completion of a hole.

Bad Times - Red Card (18 minutes or more behind)
Groups that reach a checkpoint between 18 minutes or more behind the group in front of them will receive a red card, resulting in a 2-stroke penalty to the group or individuals in a group responsible.  Checkpoint holes are timed from when the group in front puts the flagstick in the hole until the your group puts the flagstick in the hole after completion of a hole. 2 Red Cards during a stipulated round may result in disqualification.

NOTE: If your group is IN POSITION coming into a checkpoint hole, your group will not be timed.  So, you will not get a bad time unless you are OUT OF POSITION coming into a checkpoint hole.

Pace of Play Policy - Appeals.

If you are concerned about slow play in your group, you should first remind the player of the pace of play policy and encourage them to play more efficiently.  A player may request a member of the Tournament Committee to monitor the group before or after penalties are assessed.  If the player is identified as holding up the pace of the group, penalties may be applied to that player and rescinded from the others.  Appeals will be considered only in the scoring area after the completion of the round before turning in scorecards.

Generally speaking, here are the most common reasons for groups to get significantly behind during a round:
• Not being ready when it's your turn to play
• Looking for golf balls for more than 3 minutes
• Time wasted between green and tee (i.e. entering scores before a member of the group tees off)
• Not playing ready golf
• Waiting until its your turn to start your routine (i.e club selection, reading greens, etc)
• Poor cart etiquette