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What is the slow play rule in golf?

Author

Daniel Moore

Published Jan 15, 2026

Rule 6-7 in the Rules of Golf covers Undue Delay; Slow Play. The Rule states: “The player must play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines that the Committee may establish.

What is considered slow play in golf?

If you take more than two practice swings anywhere on the course (other than when greenside chipping), you're a slow player. That's right, you've been called out.

What is the 3 minute rule in golf?

Limiting the search period to 3 minutes is more consistent with the underlying principle that golf is to be played in a prompt and continuous way, without long pauses in play. In most cases, if the ball is going to be found, it will be found within the first 3 minutes.

What is the penalty for slow play on the PGA?

Catlin, the world no. 80 from California, received a one-stroke penalty for a breach of the PGA Championship Pace of Play Policy, after failing to head a warning following an initial slow time.

What is the pace of play rule?

11. Pace of Play Policies. In the Rules of Golf, Rule 5.6a is the relevant Rule in relation to unreasonable delay of play. It provides that “A player must not unreasonably delay play, either when playing a hole or between two holes”.

30 related questions found

Can you be penalized for slow play in golf?

The 30-year-old was penalized under Rule 5.6b, which states, “when it is your turn to play, it is recommended that you make the stroke in no more than 40 seconds after you are able to play without interference or distraction. You should usually be able to play more quickly than that and are encouraged to do so.”

What is the golden rule in golf?

Play the ball as it lies. Don't move, bend, or break anything growing or fixed, except in fairly taking your stance or swing. Don't press anything down.

Who got a slow play penalty?

PGA invitee John Catlin given first slow-play penalty in a major since 2013. KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. – John Catlin became the first player to be penalized a stroke for slow play in a major championship in nearly eight years on Thursday at the PGA Championship.

What is the 40-second rule in golf?

Lots of people talk about 40 seconds when they cite examples of slow play. This rule says that, when it is a player's turn to play, “it is recommended that the player make the stroke in no more than 40 seconds after he or she is (or should be) able to play without interference or distraction”.

Do pro golfers have a time limit?

The PGA TOUR rules for pace of play includes the 40-second time limit, but also allows an extra 20 seconds (for a total of 60 seconds) under the following circumstances: The first player to play a stroke on a par-3 hole.

What is it called when you hit the ball in the hole in one shot?

[A] Ace When a player hits the ball directly from the tee into the hole with one stroke. Also called a hole in one.

How far back from the tee box can you hit?

How far can you tee the ball up behind the markers? Yes, you cannot tee up in front of the tee markers or you will be penalized two strokes. You can go back from the markers a maximum of 2 club lengths.

How long are you allowed to look for your golf ball?

You are allowed five minutes to search for your ball before it must be deemed lost and you go back to play again under penalty of stroke and distance. The search time is being reduced to three minutes.

How is slow play avoided in golf?

To keep a good pace, be aware of where the next tee is, so you can put your bag down or park your trolley in the right position – it's going to save a lot of time. There's always one player who has to walk back across the green to collect their clubs and walk back again.

What is the 10 second rule in golf?

And 10 seconds is the answer. According to the rule book, "If any part of a player's ball overhangs the lip of the hole ... The player is allowed a reasonable time to reach the hole and ten more seconds to wait to see whether the ball will fall into the hole."

How do you deal with a slow golfer?

How to Deal with Slow Play

  1. Don't Get Tight. While you wait, you should work toward staying loose and working on tempo. ...
  2. Ask to Play Through. Another alternative is to simply ask the group in front of you if you can play through. ...
  3. Practice Putting and Chipping. ...
  4. Play Smarter & Harder.

What is Rule 5.3 A in golf?

March 9, 2021. Rule 5.3a states: The player must start at (and not before) his or her starting time: This means that the players must be ready to play at the starting time and starting point set by the Committee.

How much time do you have to tee off?

On the PGA Tour, players are advised to have 40 seconds to hit a shot from when it's their turn. That means, after the preceding player's shot stops at its resting place.

Where do you stand when someone else is teeing off?

There seems to be a lot of confusion about where you should stand when someone else is teeing off. Our opinion is that you are safest if you are directly in front of or behind the golfer – in other words, on the sides of the tee box.

Who is the slowest PGA player?

Ben Crane. Ben Crane is one of the slowest players to ever play on the PGA Tour, which makes it very difficult to watch him play.

What does on the clock mean in PGA?

Players were “on the clock” when their group fell out of position. They were given an allotted time between 40 and 50 seconds (the first player to play a stroke on a par 3, the first player to play a second stroke on a par 4 or par 5, the first player to play on a putting green, etc.) to hit a shot.

What does on the clock mean in golf?

When a group is out of position — usually, a hole behind the group ahead — all players in the group will be told that they are on the clock and now have only a certain amount of time to play each shot.

Do golf pros keep their own score?

Typically, PGA TOUR events feature scorecards that have detachable paper slips on the bottom of the card where players will keep their own score during a round. At the top of the card, each player will keep the score of their opponents while also tracking their own score on the bottom, detachable half.

How do they determine who hits first in golf?

When starting a hole, generally the player with the lowest score on the previous hole plays first. After starting a hole, the ball farthest from the hole is usually played first.

What percentage of amateur golfers get a hole-in-one?

According to US Hole In One (which provides hole-in-one insurance), with a field of 100 amateurs on a golf course that has four par-3 holes, there is a 1-in-32 chance someone will make an ace during that event.