SLOW PLAY CODE

We thank the Manukau Golf Club for allowing us to use their 'Slow Play Code' as an example.

The following points will speed up play without requiring any extra exertion. You don't need to race between shots. They won't effect your enjoyment of the game, but may ease the frustration experienced by fellow golfers caused by slow play. Encourage those in your group to observe the following etiquette:

ON THE TEE

• There should be no practice swings on the tee. Practice to the side of the tee, preferably while others are walking onto the tee or teeing up, but not as they are actually preparing to hit.

• If it's your honour, tee off without delay.

• Be ready to play when your turn comes. Have your club out of the bag and tee in hand. Tee up as soon as you can.

• Players should mark their cards while other players tee off.

WALKING BETWEEN SHOTS

• It's the responsibility of the lowest handicapper in the group to make sure that your group keeps up with the players in front.

• If your group cannot keep it's place in the field, call the following group through.

  This is usual, but, is not allowed by some courses. Check their local rules

• You need only walk briskly between shots to make up lost ground. Don't dawdle.

PLAYING FROM THE FAIRWAY

• Thry to determine what club you need before you actually stop next to your ball.

• When two balls are near each other on the fairway, the second player should have their club out of the bag ready to play immediately after the first player has hit.

• On the fairway, each player should go directly to their own ball.

• There is no need to take several practice swings. Develop a single drill that includes the key elements in your swing.

• Practice drills should be performing prior to others preparing to play.

• Practice swings after you have hit aren't helpful. They only cause delay.

LOST BALLS

• Section 1 of the Rules of Golf state that you have no more than 5 minutes to look for a lost ball.

• If you cannot find your ball within five minutes you must play another ball, and take the penalty.

• You must signal the players behind to play through as soon as it is apparent the ball will not easily be found - not after searching for the five minutes.

• When two players lose their ball on the same hole, each player should start looking for their own ball.

AROUND THE GREENS

• Enter the bunkers with a rake and club in hand! You can groom the sand as you exit the bunker. Leave the rake in the bunker.

• Leave your clubs between the green and the next tee. If this is not possible, move your clubs while others finish out.

• In a "friendly" round put your tape measure away. have your shot if your partner is not ready. There is no playing "out if turn" in stroke play.

ON THE GREENS

• Don't waste time. Putting isn't meditation!!!

• Excessive time spent over a putt does not equate to a better success rate.

• Line up your putt while others are also preparing to play.

  Waiting for your turn to putt and then lining up is a major cause of delays.

• Tap-in putts should be holed out - not marked.

• The first person to finish out should generally be responsible for replacing the flag after everyone else has fininshed.

• The last person to finish should not have to pick up the flag.

• Don't mark your card on the green. Cards should be marked at the next tee while others are teeing off.

• On the last green, save the 'congratulation' until you are clear of the green.

There is a "standard" time allocated for a round of golf. The average hole is a par 4. the interval between groups teeing off is determined so that when you arrive to play your second shot, the players in front have cleared the green. Starting intervals are 6 minutes apart so you should be completing the average par 4, in 14 minutes. The time for a "standard" round is thus defined as 4 hours and 12 minutes, irrespective of the format that is being played. Maybe you can't complete a round in that time but you should be close - within a few minutes. If not, you're either being held up by slow players ahead or worse, you are the cause of slow play and holding up the field behind you!!!

All these little time savers add up. waste a minute a hole and you will be playing your tee shot to the 17th instead of putting on the 18th green. Be considerate. You may have all the time in the world to enjoy your round and take in the sights, but you may be sure that members behind you are less fortunate. Please respect their time.