Who doesn’t love a midway home? We’ve devoted reams of column inches to it and the search to search out the most effective in golf.
Nice ones? The Bothy at Nairn comes instantly to thoughts. I do keep in mind a cracking one at JCB Golf & Nation Membership. And although I’ve by no means been, folks I do know who’ve been go on and on concerning the providing at Sunningdale.
There is no such thing as a doubt a fantastic midway home can immeasurably add to the expertise of a fantastic spherical. However can it get you into guidelines hassle?
I had the next electronic mail, which propelled me into penning this column and delving deeper into the midway home guidelines.
“We play a seniors inter membership match which on the finish the highest three golf equipment go on to play a last to resolve the winner. At our membership, we purchase the opposing crew a espresso and biscuits after 9 holes then stick with it.
“So far as I’m conscious the 18 holes needs to be steady play. We’re the one membership within the league to do that. Would this disqualify the competitors as we’ve not performed the 18-holes constantly with out pause beneath the Guidelines of Golf?”
To start with, chill out. You’re all good right here. Nevertheless it’s value explaining why and outlining the couple of events the place you will get into trouble should you’re not cautious. Let’s get caught in…
Can a cease on the midway home be an unreasonable delay of play?
First issues first. Let’s reply our emailer’s question immediately. If having a break at a midway home was all the time a guidelines situation I think about a great deal of golf equipment could be turning up at R&A and USGA headquarters with pitchforks and torches. They’d be dropping loads of worthwhile income – and I’d be DQd from just about each competitors I’ve ever performed!
Rule 5.6 says you have to not unreasonably delay play, “both when enjoying a gap or between two holes”, however a clarification to that rule says actions doubtless be handled as affordable embrace “briefly stopping by the clubhouse or half-way home to get meals or drink”.
The bottom line is within the phrase briefly. When you’re selecting up a fast snack, it’s all good. Sitting down for a meal? Erm, no.
It’s value taking into consideration what is cheap, as a result of you may find yourself including a one-shot penalty within the pretty unlikely occasion somebody decides that isn’t what your actions have been.
There’s one different approach you may come a cropper and it’s in case your committee have stepped in.
It’s present in the identical clarification and says an motion prone to be handled as an unreasonable delay “if inflicting greater than a short delay in play” is “stopping by the clubhouse or half-way home to get meals or drink for various minutes if the committee has not allowed for it”.
So fill your boots within the midway home. However simply be sure to maintain half an eye fixed on the clock…
Received a query for our skilled?
Regardless of the modifications to the Guidelines of Golf in 2019 and 2023, there are nonetheless some that go away us scratching our heads. I’ll attempt to assist by that includes the most effective of your queries on this column.
What do you concentrate on these midway home guidelines and people on unreasonable delay of play? Let me know your ideas by electronic mail at s.carroll@nationalclubgolfer.com or by leaving a touch upon X.
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