Starting Time

A player’s round starts when the player makes a stroke to start his or her first hole (see Rule 6.1a).

 

The player must start at (and not before) his or her starting time:

  • This means that the player must be ready to play at the starting time and starting point set by the Tournament Coordinator.
  • A starting time set by the Tournament Coordinator is treated as an exact time (for example, 9 am means 9:00 am, not any time until 9:01 am).

 

If the starting time is delayed for any reason (such as weather, slow play of other groups or the need for a ruling by a referee), there is no breach of this Rule if the player is present and ready to play when the player’s group is able to start.

 

Penalty for Breach of Rule 5.3a: Disqualification, except in these three cases:

  • Exception 1 – Player Arrives at Starting Point, Ready to Play, No More Than Five Minutes Late: The player gets the general penalty applied to his or her first hole.
  • Exception 2 – Player Starts No More Than Five Minutes Early: The player gets the general penalty applied to his or her first hole.
  • Exception 3 – Committee Decides that Exceptional Circumstances Prevented Player from Starting on Time: There is no breach of this Rule and no penalty.

 

Pace of Play

A round of golf is meant to be played at a prompt pace. The Pace of Play at The Royal Golf Club is set at 4:15 for 18 Holes.

 

Each Member should recognize that his or her pace of play is likely to affect how long it will take other members to play their rounds, including both those in the player’s own group and those in following groups.

 

A player may be allowed a short delay for certain reasons, such as:

  • When the player seeks help from a referee or the Committee,
  • When the player becomes injured or ill, or
  • When there is another good reason.

 

Penalty for Breach of Rule 5.6a:

  • Penalty for first breach: One penalty stroke.
  • Penalty for second breach: General Penalty.
  • Penalty for third breach: Disqualification.

 

If the Member unreasonably delays play between two holes, the penalty applies to the next hole.

 

Suspension of Play

When play is suspended by the Tournament Coordinator for inclement weather or a dangerous situation, the Members in a match or group must not resume play until the Tournament Coordinator has ordered a resumption of play. If they are in the process of playing a hole, they must discontinue playing immediately, mark their ball position and not resume play until the Tournament Coordinator has ordered a resumption of play.

Penalty: If a member fails to discontinue play immediately, he or she is disqualified unless circumstances warrant waiving the penalty as provided in Rule 5.7a.

 

Scorecards

In Strokeplay, the Tournament Coordinator will provide each competitor with a scorecard containing the date, name, and handicap. In Strokeplay, the Tournament Coordinator is responsible for the addition of scores and the application of the handicap recorded on the scorecard. The competitor is responsible for ensuring that the correct hole by hole gross scores are recorded on the card and signatures of marker and player.  If a player withdraws from tournament, “WD” should be noted on card, the reason for withdraw, and gross scores recorded for holes played.

In four-ball Strokeplay, the Tournament Coordinator is responsible for recording the better-ball score for each hole and in the process applying the handicaps recorded on the scorecard, and adding the better-ball scores.  The Member is responsible for ensuring that the correct hole by hole gross scores are recorded on the card and signatures of marker and player.

In Stableford competitions, the Tournament Coordinator is responsible for applying the handicap recorded on the scorecard and determining the result of each hole and the overall result or point’s total. The competitor is responsible for ensuring that correct hole by hole gross scores are recorded on the card and signatures of marker and player.

Exception: For Roll up events members will receive blank scorecards without names and handicaps however same procedure will be followed as above for scoring in either of the events

 

Decision on Ties

  • Match Play Competitions
    In the event of a match being all square after 18 holes, extra holes will be played under the same handicap allowances until a hole is won (sudden death). It is expected that all matches will commence on the 1st hole. However if the match is all square and finishes under floodlights players are advised to play extra holes (sudden death) by starting on the 10th.  
  • Stroke-Play Competitions
    In a competition the winner will be determined on the basis of the best score for the last nine holes of the course. If the tying players have the same score for the last nine, determine the winner on the basis of the last six holes, last three holes and finally the 18th hole.

 

No Shows

The Royal Golf Club has a policy to address the incidence of Members registering for Tournament competition and not showing up at their respective registered event or withdrawing from competition for reasons that are unjustified. The policy is designed with the objective of respecting the spirit of competition and the integrity of our tournament results, while also recognizing that considerable time and effort are invested in organizing these events. The policy also takes into account that cancellations are sometimes necessary due to medical conditions, unexpected work-related issues, or other emergencies that cannot be avoided.  The policy is structured in two parts:  (1) the “No Show” policy, and (2) the “Unjustified Withdrawal” policy.

 

Unjustified withdrawals

An Unjustified Withdrawal may occur in cases where the Member withdraws during the competition due to poor play or lack of ambition to play or does not return their scorecard after completion of the competition.

 

Leaderboard legend

  • No Show (NS): If a player does not show up for tee time without contacting the Tournament Committee, it will be recorded as a No Show (NS).
  • Withdrawal (WD): If a player withdrawals during the tournament, it will be recorded as a Withdrawal (WD).
  • No Card (NC): If a player begins the tournament, and for any reason fails to turn in a signed scorecard for a completed round, it will be recorded as a No Card (NC).  It will also be considered under the Unjustified Withdrawal policy noted above. 
  • Disqualification (DQ): If a player tees it up and commits an R&A Rules infraction during the course of play or unintentionally fails to sign a scorecard it will be recorded as a Disqualification (DQ).

 

Suspension

Should a member fail to comply with any of the conditions of play, he or she will be suspended from future tournaments as follows:

 

First Offense

1 Tournament (Consecutive) Ban from any RGC Competition

Second Offense

2 Tournament (Consecutive) Ban from any RGC Competition

Third Offense

3 Tournament (Consecutive) Ban from any RGC Competition

 

RGC Competitions defined as tournaments scheduled in the RGC members Tournament Calendar.

 

Rule exceptions: Tournament Coordinator and the Golf Team reserve the right to change rules without prior notice however to be as transparent as possible rule changes will be clearly stated in individual rule sheets for each event.