Suspension of Play for Dangerous Situations Notification

Posted on: 21 October

SUSPENSION AND RESUMPTION OF PLAY

With the storm season upon us I would like to summarise in this post the procedures to be followed when play is suspended for a dangerous situation, e.g., lightning.

Links are provided below to the relevant rule (Rule 5.7) in the Player’s Edition of the Rule Book (the small book available at the club), the Rules of Golf (the full Rule Book) and the Interpretations which are provided only for aspects of the Rules that are considered to require additional clarification.

These links provide additional information, including on suspensions for non-dangerous situations (e.g., course unplayable due to flooding).

Suspension for a Dangerous Situation

If there is imminent danger from lightning the Committee will declare an immediate suspension of play. All players must stop play at once and must not make another stroke until the Committee resumes play.

A representative of the Committee (e.g, a GMC member or Pro Shop staff) will signal the suspension with one prolonged note of the siren.

The penalty for failing to stop is disqualification.

Resumption of Play

The Committee will order a resumption of play when it concludes that there is no further danger from lightning.

An announcement will be made giving a time to resume play.

The signal to resume play is two short notes of the siren.

Note:

1. Players must resume play from where they stopped play, and

2. The player must be present at the location indentified in (1) and ready to play:

a) At the time set by the Committee for play to resume, and

b) The player must resume play at (and not before) that time.

The penalty for any breach of the above is also disqualification.