PURPOSE: To identify and penalize chronic slow players, and reduce their impact on the field’s pace of play.

DISCUSSION: A few slow players cause the entire club to suffer. This policy will penalize these players for the benefit of the club. It is also hoped that this will modify their behavior.

METHOD: Base the policy on the NCGA’s successful method. Times will be recorded at three locations.  If a group finishes more than 12 minutes behind the preceding group at TWO locations, the whole group will receive POP penalty points. When two bad times are recorded, the penalty will be based on the average of the two worst times.

Example  If your group finishes behind the preceding group

1)    10, 13, 17 = (13+17) divide by 2= 15 minutes

2)    10, 18, 19 = (18 + 19) divide by 2 = 18.5 = 19 minutes

  If the worst time average is 13 to 16 minutes behind the group in front of them, each member will be assigned 1 Pace of Play (POP) point.  If the group’s average is between 17 to 20 minutes behind, each member will be assigned 2 POP points.  If the group’s average is more than 21 minutes behind, each member will be assigned 3 POP points.  See chart below for summary.

Having only one bad time will NOT result in a penalty.

No POP penalty points will be assessed if the group completes their round in 4:30 or less.

If a group fails to record their Times, each member of the group will receive 1 POP point.   Your Start Time is when the first tee-shot is hit on #1; your End Time is when the flagstick is put in the hole on #18.  The Official Clocks shall be used to determine all times.

If a group is moved to a forward tee by the STGC marshal for violating the STGC pace of play policy, that group will be penalized 2 POP points.

APPEAL: Individual members of the group can appeal to the POP Committee upon finishing their rounds. Appeals can be based on special circumstances, or specific individuals can be identified as the cause of slow play. Final appeals can be made to the entire Board of Directors.

PENALTY: If a member accrues 2 or more POP points, he will be required to take a cart in subsequent tournaments and will be given a tee time near the end of the field. This penalty will continue until the member’s POP point total falls below 2 points. Continued POP point accrual may be cause for further disciplinary action, including expulsion from the club.

POP POINT DEDUCTION: If a player already has bad POP points from previous events and the player finishes within 10 minutes of the previous group at TWO locations, 1 POP point will be deducted from his total until he gets to 0 POP points. This only applies to foursomes. 

POP REWARD POINT: A member without POP Points can earn Reward Points if his group finishes within 8 minutes of the previous group at TWO locations.  The Reward Points can be used to defer any future POP Penalty Points.  Only 1 Reward Point can be earned per round. If the first Tee Time finishes in 4:15 they will be rewarded1 POP point. Reward points only applies to foursomes. 

POP POINT DEDUCTION and REWARD POINTS: A player with POP Penalty Points can reduce his total by finishing 10 minutes or less behind the previous group at TWO locations.  A player without POP Penalty Points can "bank" points by finishing within 8 minutes of the previous group at TWO locations.