Dear Inverness Golf Club Members,
The Golf Committee has approved a formal Pace of Play policy which states that an 18-hole round of golf at the Club should be played in no more than 4 hours and 15 minutes. The Club believes that an enjoyable round of golf should be played within this time range and every member has a responsibility to their fellow members and guests to make every effort to achieve this pace. The following guidelines and Slow Play Policy are designed to encourage a proper pace of play for the enjoyment and courtesy of all members and their guests.
Tee times are monitored by the TagMarshal GPS System. The professional staff will notify groups when they are not playing at an acceptable pace of play. While the TagMarshal system documents pace of play every day, this policy will specifically focus on IGC BUSY TIMES. IGC BUSY TIMES are defined as Fridays between the hours of 8 AM – 2 PM, Saturdays between the hours of 7 AM – Noon, and Sundays between the hours of 7 AM – Noon.
Notes:
1) All play must begin from the first tee except when the permission to do otherwise is received from the Golf Professional or another member of the Golf Staff.
2) All holes must be played in sequential order. Skipping around the golf course to various holes is not allowed.
3) A group in violation of the policy will be considered the first group playing in longer than the defined pace of play time range.
4) Groups immediately following the first group in violation may also finish in longer than the defined pace of play, however, these group(s) would not be considered in violation of the pace of play policy.
5) The position of the group behind has no bearing in determining whether or not the Pace of Play is satisfactory.
6) In the administration of the Pace of Play guidelines, a member of the professional staff will be talking to groups during the round if they are behind their place of play and encouraging them to keep pace. The professional staff will also be responsible for notifying the Golf Committee of groups that exceed the 18-hole time limit. Our staff is responsible for helping to create the best member experience possible. Please keep this in mind and be respectful should your group be notified. Any harassment of the staff, while administrating this policy, will not be tolerated.
Slow Play Infractions:
Players are deemed to be in violation of the Club's Slow Play Policy if the round of golf is completed in more than 4 hours and 15 minutes during IGC BUSY TIMES.
Each player in the Group will be responsible for their Pace of Play (i.e. if you're playing in a foursome — all 4 players will receive the same time)
Enforcement:
The Golf Committee will be responsible for the enforcement of this policy:
1) First Infraction — a notification via email will be issued to the entire group.
2) Second Infraction — A member that falls into this category will be asked not to play during the defined IGC BUSY TIMES on Fri/Sat/Sun for a 2-week period.
3) Third Infraction — A member that falls into this category will be asked not to play during the defined IGC BUSY TIMES on Fri/Sat/Sun for the remainder of the year.
4) Additional Infractions will be referred to the Golf Committee and Board for disciplinary action.
Proper Pace of Play is an essential part of the golfing experience here at Inverness Golf Club, is a requisite at all great golf clubs and is a tradition at Inverness. Below are some suggestions for how to improve the pace of play during the round. Collectively, we should all do our part to abide by these policies to ensure that all who visit the Club enjoy their day. Thank you in advance for making our course a positive experience for all members and guests.
Sincerely,
The 2026 Golf Committee
Pace of play can improve with preparation — regardless of a player's capability
A few suggestions:
o Take a caddie, whether walking or riding, whenever possible. Caddies can manage tasks that will allow players to do more in less time.
o Plan to play in under 4 Hours. Check your time at the turn (when you complete nine holes)
o Always invite faster groups to play through if you have open holes ahead of your group and always keep pace with the group in front of you.
o Prepare for your next shot while others in your group are playing their shots. This can include estimating distances, marking your ball on the green, reading putts, etc. You should be ready to hit your shot once it's your turn.
o The USGA rules indicate you have a maximum of three (3) minutes to find a lost ball. After 3 minutes the ball should be declared lost and play resumed (preferably a provisional ball was played so as not to lose any additional time)
o If you cannot take your cart to where your ball is make sure to take several clubs\range finder over to your ball so that you don't have to return to the cart before hitting your shot.
o Bring divot mix with you if your cart & partner are moving to a different location for their next shot.
o Upon completing a hole, leave immediately, entering your scores when you reach the next tee.
o Park carts on a path between the green and your next tee, making the transition from hole-to-hole quicker and allowing the group behind you to play sooner.
o If you are in a game that does not mandate stroke play (a partner match), and your score no longer matters, pick up your ball.
o Be prepared to wave up the group behind you after putting out on #15, prior to teeing off on #16.
o Anticipate the series of events that will take place on each hole (shots, divot repair, trap raking, cart parking, flagstick management, scoring, etc.) and do your part in being prepared to make each event more fluid for your entire group.
o If you find that you're struggling to maintain pace of play from a selected tee box — consider moving up to the next set of tees.