When is play suspended at golf tournaments? Weather conditions and rain delay guidelines
Golf isn’t always played in beautiful, sunny conditions. Remember, this sport was invented in Scotland, where they play in the rain quite a lot. Let’s look at how the weather can force play to be stopped.
The question really is how much water is too much? Rain delays are called when the weather is so bad that players can’t get a good grip of the club or their feet slip when hitting the ball. Without taking into account at the moment dangerous conditions such as lightning, we’ll look at the official rules for a rain delay.
Golf rules for rain delays: stoppage of play
Tournament organizers decide on when to stop play. They can decide to stop play immediately or allow players to finish the hole they are on. Stoppage of play is indicated with a horn and instructions are given to the players regarding marking their balls if they must leave the course immediately.
The general rule is that if puddles begin to form on greens or fairways, play must be postponed until the playing surface is clear of standing water. Most courses nowadays have excellent drainage systems, especially where PGA Tour events take place, but sometimes the amount of water is just too much and the ground is saturated with water.
When water pooling occurs, a rain delay will come into effect until the greens and fairways are playable again. Depending on what time the delay starts, play may start up again later in the day or the following day, which may push back tee times and sometimes play will be carried over on Monday or even Tuesday, if necessary. Darkness is a factor that must be dealt with when determining when to start the rounds again.
LIghtning and dangerous conditions
If a player or an official sees lightning, players should mark their balls as they lay and get off the course. After all, walking around a lightning storm with a golf club made of steel is not a good idea. Golfers also must remember to avoid taking shelter under trees, which can be lethal if lightning strikes nearby. At the 2023 Masters Tournament trees fell, but not because of lightning, because of high winds and rain.
What are some tricks players use when playing golf in the rain?
It’s important to keep dry, have waterproof pants and a jacket and, of course, an umbrella. You’ll see most experienced caddies and players keep a towel under the umbrella to dry off hands, clubs and grips. Playing in the rain can be a challenge, but it can also be fun as long as you’re prepared for the moisture. The advantage of playing in the rain is the greens are a lot softer and you can attack the pins as long as you take into consideration how the water will effect your distance and ball flight.
Fun, right?