When a wait develops on the tee of a par-3 or drivable par-4, the Committee may wish to institute a “call-up” to help alleviate an impending pace of play problem and should do its best to anticipate such situations.  

Following are some guidelines to consider regarding a “call-up.”  

When to Implement  

A “call-up” would be warranted when there is a full-group wait on a par 3 or drivable par-4 hole and it is apparent that the wait will increase with subsequent groups. A full-group wait occurs when a group arrives at the tee immediately after the group in front has left the tee. If you notice a full group wait that is likely to increase with subsequent group, please notify the Championship Director or Chief Referee or Rules Lead for further instruction.  

How to Implement  

When it becomes necessary to implement the “call-up” policy, the following procedure will be put into place by the Rover or zone Referee assigned to the hole in question, in coordination with the walking Referees, if applicable. The Championship Director should be notified that a “call-up” is being implemented.  

• A Rover or zone Referee should be present at the tee and, if possible, a Rover or zone Referee at the putting green. 

• The first waiting group (or the group that has played their first strokes and which has yet to arrive at the putting green) should be informed that once all players’ balls come to rest on the putting green, they will be asked to mark and lift their balls and to step aside to allow the group behind to play from the tee.  

• Once that group has played from the tee, the group on the putting green may then replace their balls and proceed to play out the hole.  

• If a ball from the group behind comes to rest on the putting green and it potentially interferes or helps with play, Rule 15.3 applies, and it should be marked and lifted, by a player (not by a Referee). 

• Once the wait has been eliminated and the relative positions of following groups indicate that a “backup” is not imminent, the Rover or zone Referee should determine whether to discontinue with the “call-up” procedure. The Championship Director should be notified that the “call-up” procedure has been discontinued.