Slow Play Policy

2026 Grant Park Slow Play Program Final Draft

2026 Grant Park Slow Play Program Final Draft

In an effort to combat the increasing problem of slow play, we will be implementing a new slow play program, designed to identify who and where the problems are, and help increase the pace of play. This is a combined and enhanced version of programs used extremely successfully by several other MCPLA clubs and the Brown Deer Senior Men’s Club.

PURPOSE

To enhance the enjoyment of the golfing experience by decreasing our average playing time to be in line with the USGA Course Time Rating of each of the courses we play at. Currently, Grant is rated at 3 hours, 31 minutes.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

To identify and help correct the slowest players in our club. It is the hope that by identifying and providing guidance on how to play better, this will be enough to correct bad habits and get our pace of play within the appropriate time limits.

PROGRAM MECHANICS

This program requires buy-in from our entire club. Members not willing to change or accept help will go through a progressive penalty system with the final step of being asked to leave our club.

The program will have a board member in the first group at each outing assigned to keep track of the play coming in on hole #18. Pace of play is very simple. If you are not ready to hit your shot when the group ahead of you is gone, YOUR GROUP IS OUT OF PLACE!! No ifs, ands, or buts. This has been the premise of golf for hundreds of years. It is a very simple program. Knowing this is the premise, your group has until the 18th hole to catch up if you fall behind. If your group is not on the 18th when the group ahead of you walks off the 18th green, your entire group is out of place and subject to penalty. The only saving grace would be if your group finishes within the course rating for time.

Should your group be recorded as being out of place on #18, the entire group will be given an “X” on a spreadsheet for that outing. This is not negotiable. There will be a series of emails and accompanying penalties associated with each violation (see below). Since groups are usually put together by the Tournament Director, the chance of playing in the same group will be eliminated. This will eliminate the excuse of claiming it was someone else in the group that was slow and not “me.” The offending groups will be listed on the results sheet with the hope that someone takes this seriously and will either play faster or get on your group at the next outing to stay on pace. There will be a series of progressively stern emails that are currently under construction. Each email will offer suggestions on how to play faster and explain the possible penalties for continued slow play. Penalties are as follows:

  1. 1st Offense: Mildly worded email laying out the penalty system and offering tips on playing faster in the future. In addition, each player in the group will be fined $2, payable before you play your next outing. This money will be used to offset the cost of the banquet.
  2. 2nd Offense: Less mild email informing the players of monetary penalties and being made to play in the last group at each event. In addition, each player in the group will be fined. That fine will be based on where in the progression they are, i.e., 1st offense $2, 2nd offense $4, etc… Again, this must be paid before playing in the next outing.
  3. 3rd Offense: Stern email informing the player they have been fined $6, which has to be paid before they play in the next outing. Money to be paid before playing in the next outing.
  4. 4th Offense: Serious email informing the player he has been fined another $8 and will now play in the last group for the remainder of the year. Money to be paid before playing in the next outing.
  5. 5th Offense: Final email to this player informing him that he is not welcome back to the club next year. This player has shown a repeated disregard for anyone but themselves and is not someone we should concern ourselves with. This person could appeal this decision to the Board of Directors, but has shown a disregard for anyone else; it is unlikely the Board will change the decision.

Not sure how much clearer we can be about slow play. We are not going to tolerate slow play any longer!!! We have heard complaints from the golf office, the general public, and other golf courses letting us know they do not want our business. This has to and will change immediately.