Facts

In threesome “birdie-bash” competition, Foremost and teammate, JS, had teed off and were looking around for their fellow teammate who was nowhere to be seen. (Due to the delicacy of this factual situation, we will reference this “Remaining Partner” as “RP” so as to conceal his identity).

It seems that RP had experienced serious “gastrointestinal issues” on the way to the tee box, and had excused himself to find the nearest facility. Unfortunately, due to the course construction work underway at BMCC, by the time he located the correct pathways to the clubhouse (marked with arrows, signs, ropes, and plywood), he was unable to conclude his business and return to the teeing area by the posted tee time of 12:00 pm.

Indeed, once he had found the clubhouse, he had found that the facility was locked and he had been forced to beat upon a window to gain admittance. Even after admittance, he stated with conviction that the matter could not be rushed.

RP arrived at the tee box at 12:03 pm, a full three minutes late. Upon his arrival, Foremost advised him that he was late for his tee time, and that he would have to be assessed the General Penalty, two strokes for the first hole in this stroke play competition. RP replied that he had faced an “emergency situation” and that certainly there must be some leniency in the Rules for such situations.

F and JS, truly horrified, listened for the first time as RP explained the circumstances of his tardiness, and his efforts to rectify the situation, and the hurdles he faced presented by the construction obstacles. Nevertheless, and despite the overwhelming compassion F felt for RP upon hearing this saga, he advised that under the rules, tee times are “exact times”, although he promised that this circumstance might warrant further examination.

RP put a brave face on this pronouncement and looked truly relieved although, in retrospect, the source of this relief may not have been the news of the rules inquiry.

Issue

Do the Rules offer exceptions when a Player is late for his tee time?

Ruling

Indeed, tee times are “exact times”. (R5.3a). A player “must” start at his starting time. In case there is any confusion about the intent herein, the Rule goes on to offer an example….”that 9 am means 9:00 am, not any time until 9:01 am)”.

At Rules School, an instructor advised how this Rule is applied at tournaments. “Ready to play” and “at the starting point” means at the teeing area which is generally roped off so there is no confusion as to its location. Players may be given one minute, thirty second warnings (for example), but if they aren’t between the ropes at the designated time, they are penalized… “exact” means “exact”.

The penalty for failing to meet a designated tee time is disqualification, with three exceptions:

First, arrival within five minutes reduces the penalty to the General Penalty.

Second, the General Penalty is applied if the player tees off within five minutes “before” his starting time.

Finally, there is no breach of the Rule if the Committee finds the delay was excusable due to “exceptional circumstances”.

Certainly, taking a personal moment “to drop the kids off at the pool” may not always be an “exceptional circumstance” (other than in the eyes of the beholder), but in this particular case, F finds that the delay was justifiable due to the facility construction obstacles and the player’s vivid and unrehearsed description of actual physical distress.

The Rules instructor (cited above) offered a similar scenario where a senior player suffered severe back cramps at the moment of his tee time. In this case, the Committee granted the player a few extra minutes so that a nearby staff therapist might massage his back. The instructor emphasized that the disqualification penalty would have been imposed, however, had the treatment not been successful in these few minutes.

F finds that these circumstances, considered in their totality, also rose to the “exceptional circumstance” exception, and that no penalty was warranted.

As usual, all comments or corrections are welcome!

Respectfully submitted,
F