Tournament Players League (TPGL) 2013

 

Pace of Play

 

  1. All TPGL groups must finish a round in 4 hours 20 minutes OR LESS, unless the Course is played as “Cart Paths Only”. This MAY add ½ hour to the expected finishing time. The CDGA/USGA has rated Steeple Chase to play at a pace of 4 hours and 10 minutes. (Click here for USGA Pace Details)

 

  1. Groups must finish putting out on #18 and leave the green within 15 minutes of the group ahead.

 

  1. Be prepared to tee off on the first tee when instructed by the Starter.

 

  1. Maintain less than, but NO MORE than, a 1 ½ holes separation from the group ahead. If there is a full 1 hole separation you MUST begin increasing the pace of your group.

 

  1. Mark and identify your ball to competitors on the first tee and whenever hitting a provisional ball, second ball, or replacing the ball in play according to the rules.

 

  1. Write the time of leaving the first tee on the scorecard AFTER the last person has teed off and left the tee box. (Use a "smart phone" if possible)

 

  1. Write the time of leaving the last green on the scorecard AFTER the last person has holed out and left the green. (Use a "smart phone" if possible)

 

  1. Mark the scorecard at the next tee, not at the green of the hole just completed.

 

  1. Any player may mark another player’s ball on the green without permission of the player (mark directly behind the ball with a coin or ball marker). The ball does not have to be replaced by the marker.

 

  1. Play ready golf immediately if your group is falling behind, or if, as a group playing a stroke play event, you agree to play ready golf through the round. In match play events, ready golf may not be appropriate. There are NO penalties in the TPGL for hitting out of turn.

 

  1. Begin preparing for your next shot while approaching your ball. On the green, begin preparing to putt immediately (even if you are not away) without interfering with those in the process of putting.

 

  1. Park carts between the green and the most direct path to the next tee box.

 

  1. Rake traps for other players whenever prudent or expedient.

 

  1. Don’t travel in a “pack”; drive or walk briskly to your ball and be prepared to play as soon as it is your turn.

 

  1. 2.5 minutes maximum looking for a lost ball. Expect no help from other players, they should be hitting their shots while you are searching for a lost ball, and help search only after they have hit.

 

  1. Announce and hit a Provisional Ball if there is ANY doubt that a ball may be lost on the course, not cleared a Regular hazard (and if there is not a Drop Zone which you choose to utilize), out of bounds, or in an obstruction. Off the tee, a provisional ball should be hit after all other players have hit their initial tee shot. In the TPGL, we never go back to play a shot. If a ball is lost on the course and a provisional ball has NOT been played you may drop a ball within two club lengths of the spot where the ball was most likely judged to be. The penalty is two strokes. Therefore, if the lost ball was a tee shot and a provisional was not played, after dropping another ball you will then be playing your 4th shot.

 

  1.  Identify a feature or landmark near the spot where you think your shot will finish. This will assist you in getting directly to your ball to prepare for your next shot.

 

  1. All players are allowed and encouraged to share yardages from rangefinders of any type when asked.

 

  1. First to hole out should retrieve the flagstick and prepare to replace it.

 

  1. While on the green, place any clubs, bags, towels in a line to the next tee box.

 

  1. If you are out of position, ask the cart girl to come back when you have caught up. 

              

  1. If riding, carry the club just used into the cart and replace it in your bag when you are at your ball and selecting your next club. It has been calculated that a foursome in two carts can save an average of 20 minutes a round if all players follow this strategy.

 

  1. The Committee will identify patterns of slow play and request changes as needed.