AJGA Pace of Play
The Philosophy
How it works
Instructions to players
The green card and red card
Pace of play penalties
How to rescind a red card
Extending a single red card
Undue delay
Benefits of the AJGA Pace of Play Policy
Complete AJGA Pace of Play Policy
Glossary of AJGA Pace of Play Policy terms
The Philosophy
Every golf course has its own rhythm and appropriate pace. This rhythm is expressed as an overall time to play the course and likewise for each individual hole.
The AJGA's goal is to establish an "overall time par" for each course we play, which is geared toward the ability of nationally-competitive junior golfers playing in threesomes or foursomes.
How it works
The Tournament Committee will designate a minimum of six (6) holes on the course as timing station checkpoints. Typically, checkpoints will be on hole Nos. 2, 5, 8, 11, 14 and 17.
A volunteer will be stationed at the green of each timing checkpoint, using color-coded cards (green, single red or double red) to indicate a group's gap time relative to the group in front of them and relation to the designated overall time par on the course. It is the responsibility of the player to know which cards they receive at all checkpoint holes.
Timing will begin when the flagstick has been replaced in the hole of the checkpoint hole.
Factors used to determine overall time par
AJGA Pace of Play by the Numbers
| Year | Number of Events | Red Cards Issued | Penalties Imposed | Average Pace of Play |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 122 | 4,428 | 9 | 4:26 |
| 2017 | 120 | 4,054 | 29 | 4:25 |
| 2016 | 117 | 3,711 | 36 | 4:26 |
| 2015 | 113 | 3,739 | 26 | 4:27 |
| 2014 | 115 | 2,817 | 23 | 4:20 |
| 2013 | 102 | 2,682 | 53 | 4:17 |
| 2012 | 96 | 3,274 | 29 | 4:23 |
| 2011* | 92 | 3,001 | 26 | 4:21 |
| 2010 | 84 | 2,851 | 34 | 4:31 |
| 2009 | 86 | 2,704 | 26 | 4:33 |
| 2008 | 83 | 2,660 | 27 | 4:35 |
| 2007 | 81 | 2,633 | 33 | 4:29 |
* Play ready Golf concept introduced
Instructions to players
All players should take responsibility to ensure every member in the group is following the AJGA Pace of Play Guidelines.
- Realize your group is "on the clock" as soon as you play from the teeing ground on your first hole.
- Play ready golf throughout your entire round.
-
MUST, MUST, MAY
- MUST – The first player to finish playing a hole MUST immediately grab their bag and start making their way to the next tee. In doing this the player walking ahead is expected to be quiet and courteous to its fellow-competitors. The player should periodically look back to watch the other player’s shots.
- MUST – The player MUST also be the first person to play from the next teeing ground. This player must be getting their yardage and determining club selection while the other players are finishing the previous hole and walking to the tee.
- MAY – This player MAY tee off if they want to. All players must confirm scores on the previous hole prior to leaving the tee.
- When spotters, officials or parents are available to help search for a potentially lost ball, the AJGA recommends that the other players go forward to play his next shot or shots and HOLD THE GROUP'S POSITION ON THE GOLF COURSE.
- WALK WITH A PURPOSE between shots!
The green card, red card and double red card
The green card (no penalty)
A green card will be issued when a group is in position AND/OR within overall time par through that checkpoint.
The red card (warning)
A single red card will be issued when a group is out of position AND behind overall time par through that checkpoint. When a group receives a single red card, each member of the group will receive a red card (left) containing information filled out by the Rules Official.
The double red card (one-stroke penalty)
The group is out of position, behind overall time par through that checkpoint AND did not make its required checkpoint-to-checkpoint time determined at the last red card checkpoint.
*A penalty stroke is added to the hole where the first red card was issued. Penalties will be confirmed with the group by an AJGA Rules Official and verified in the scoring area.
Pace of play penalties
A one-stroke penalty may be assessed to each member in the group if the group receives a double red card. However, based on bad times and other on course actions the pace of play penalty may only go to one or two members of the group.
A player may be subject to a one-stroke penalty if he receives a bad time(s) after the group has been put on a red card and then it receives a double red card or while the group is on a double red card, regardless of if the double red is rescinded.
Throughout the round, Rules Officials will collect data on players including slow-playing habits and bad times. A bad time is defined as taking more than 45 seconds to play a shot without distractions.
*A penalty stroke is added to the hole where the first red card was issued. Penalties will be confirmed with the group by an AJGA Rules Official and verified in the scoring area.
How to rescind a red card
A single red card can be rescinded in two ways:
- Group is in position with the group immediately ahead through the next checkpoint; or
- Group is on or below overall time par through next checkpoint.
A double red card can be rescinded in two ways:
- Group finishes the round in position with the group immediately ahead; or
- Group finishes the round on or below overall time par.
*A group that has received a double red card will forfeit the ability to rescind the one-stroke penalty should the group run at any time.
Extending a single red card
- Once on a single red card, a group will be presented with another single red card if it plays checkpoint-to-checkpoint, gaining one minute on time par, but are still out of position AND behind overall time par through that checkpoint. If a group receives a red card at a checkpoint which immediately precedes its final hole, and the final hole is played at or under time par, no penalty will be enforced.
Undue Delay
If a player records four (4) bad times during the round, he will receive a one-stroke penalty for undue delay. Players will be warned immediately after receiving two (2) and three (3) bad times.
The player will receive a two-stroke penalty if he records six (6) bad times and the player will be disqualified after eight (8) bad times. Players will be warned after receiving five (5) and seven (7) bad times.
*A penalty for undue delay can be issued whether or not a group has received a red card.
Benefits of the AJGA Pace of Play Policy
- AJGA Pace of Play average for 2015 was four hours and 26 minutes
- Each group plays the course in similar amount of time
- Players are off the golf course and out of the heat quicker
- Volunteer work time is reduced
- Ensures completion of rounds and ability to make cuts
- Allows maintenance more time to prepare for subsequent rounds
- Course returned for member-play sooner