What does a competition committee need to know if they’re concerned about weather conditions out on the course?
Golf is played in the great outdoors and the British weather can be unpredictable, to say the least. Rain, wind, fog, sunshine – sometimes we will see all of these in the space of a morning while out on the course.
In a previous article, we looked at when a round should be cancelled. But committees will only consider that option in the most extreme circumstances.
A little more likely, however, is the possibility of play being suspended because of weather conditions – and it might not always simply mean abandoning an event or putting out the “course closed” signs for the rest of the day.
The Committee Procedures, outlined in the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf and found on The R&A’s website, offer some guidance if general managers or competition organisers find themselves wondering whether they should interrupt the action.
They look at lightning, visibility, temporary water and wind and then offer thoughts on taking the decision to resume following a delay…
Lightning
Players can stop on their own if they believe there is a threat of lightning and this is completely within the rules.
The guidance says committees should use “whatever means it has available” to determine the threat of lightning and “take what actions it believes are appropriate”.
While players can decide when to stop, when a committee believes there is “no further danger” from lightning and requires that play is resumed, golfers must comply.
Visibility
You might think fog, but this guidance can also cover darkness or any other conditions that might affect visibility. The guidance recommends play should be suspended “if landing areas are no longer visible to players” and if they can’t read the lines of putts on the green.
Temporary water
This can be a problem – particularly on putting surfaces – during periods of persistent rain and clubs often do not have the resources that can be employed in elite tournaments.
Play should be suspended in stroke play if “all the area around the hole is covered in temporary water” as the course is considered unplayable.
In match play, though, there are alternatives. If the water around the hole can’t be removed, play can either be suspended or the hole can be relocated.
Wind
One or two balls might be moving on a green, but only “several balls being moved by the wind” is a reason to suspend play, according to the guidance.
“The committee should consider suspending play due to wind only if there are several instances of balls moving and players are having problems with replacing the ball on the spot from which it is blown”.
When should a committee consider allowing play to resume?
Players will normally resume from the place where they originally stopped and committees need to think about how players will get back to their positions back on the course and how they will make sure that has occurred before play resumes.
Depending on the nature of the event, clubs might also want to consider reopening practice facilities, or allowing players sufficient time to warm up before play is resumed.
Key takeaways
- Safety first, always: Don’t hesitate to suspend play if lightning or visibility poses a risk – but be ready to resume quickly once conditions improve.
- Be consistent and fair: Follow The R&A’s guidance so all players are treated equally when weather affects play, especially with waterlogged greens or high winds.
- Plan for restarts: Have clear procedures for resuming play, including communication, player movement, and warm-up time, to keep events running smoothly.
