PACE OF PLAY
In 2014 the TGA Junior Tour will once again be utilizing (as we did in 2012 and 2013) many techniques and ideas found in the "Under Four" program. We highly suggest visiting their website (click here) and looking at their case studies to see the true impact on pace of play when the below guidelines are used by all players. We implemented these guidelines throughout the season in 2012 and 2013 and it paid huge dividends in terms of reducing the amount of time it took for players to complete their rounds. At the highest competition level we saw the greatest effect as rounds averaged well under 4 hours and 30 minutes. At the introductory level it was a work in progress in 2013, and 2014 will be another chance to introduce this concept to "new golfers".

TGA Junior Tour Pace of Play Principals
  • Realize your group is "on the clock" as soon as you play from the teeing ground on your first hole
  • Walk fast. Be an athlete
  • Play "Ready Golf" throughout your entire round
  • The first person to complete each hole should immediately go to the next hole. The second person to finish has the responsibility of replacing the flagstick after the group has finished.
  • Walk fast. Be an athlete
  • When spotter, officials, or parents are available to help search for a potentially lost ball, we recommend that you go forward to play your next shot or shots and hold your group's position on the golf course.
  • Use Rule 3-3. You have heard it a million times, do not be scared to use it. If you are doubtful of your rights or uncertain on the correct procedure during the play of the hole, you may, without penalty, complete the hole with two golf balls. Just be sure to ask a rules official about your situation before you turn in the scorecard even if you score the same with both golf balls. 
  • Did we say walk faster?
Allotted Time
Groups will be required to play at no more than a 4 hour and 30 minute pace for 18 holes and 2 hours and 15 minutes for the divisions playing 9 holes.

Definition of “Out of Position”
The first group to begin play will be considered out of position if it goes over the allotted time per hole listed below. Any other group will be considered out of position if, at any time during the round, the group is (a) behind the prescribed schedule as detailed on the Pace of Play Time Chart below AND (b) reaches the tee of a par 3 hole and the preceding group has cleared the next tee, fails to clear the tee of a par 4 hole before the preceding group clears the putting green, OR arrives at the tee of a par 5 hole when the preceding group is on the putting green. Both (a) and (b) must apply for a group to be out of position.

Pace of Play Penalties
The following are the penalties, in sequence, for any player in a group out of position who takes more than 40 seconds to play a stroke if it is their turn to play.
  • One bad timing of more than 40 seconds - WARNING
  • A second bad timing - 1 STOKE PENALTY
  • A third bad timing - 2STROKE PENALTY
  • A fourth bad timing - DISQUALIFICATION

Note: If the group in question regains its proper position, any previous timings of more than 40 seconds will be carried over for the remainder of that round in the event that group requires additional monitoring

Rulings or Other Incidents
If a ruling or some other legitimate delay occurs which causes the group in question to lose its position, that group is expected to regain its position within a reasonable time.

Allotted Time per Hole

Hole
Time
Total Time
Hole
Time
Total Time

1

15 min.

15 min.

10

15 min.

2 hrs. , 30 min.

2

15 min.

30 min.

11

15 min.

2 hrs. , 45 min.

3

15 min.

45 min.

12

15 min.

3 hrs.

4

15 min.

1 hr.

13

15 min.

3 hrs. , 15 min.

5

15 min.

1 hr. , 15 min.

14

15 min.

3 hrs. , 30 min.

6

15 min.

1 hr. , 30 min.

15

15 min.

3 hrs. , 45 min.

7

15 min.

1 hr. , 45 min.

16

15 min.

4 hrs.

8

15 min.

2 hrs.

17

15 min.

4 hrs. , 15 min.

9

15 min.

2 hrs. , 15 min.

18

15 min.

4 hrs. , 30 min.