Golf, a game often associated with a leisurely pace, has recently found itself in the spotlight for being, well, too slow. Rounds at iconic courses like Torrey Pines and PGA West are dragging on, sometimes exceeding 5 and a half hours, leading many to wonder if this “go slow” approach is hurting the sport’s appeal.
Slow Play on the PGA Tour: A Growing Concern
The PGA Tour, the pinnacle of professional golf, has seen a noticeable increase in slow play, with rounds frequently stretching beyond the 5-hour mark. This trend has sparked frustration among fans, players, and commentators. During the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, for example, the final group took a painful three hours to finish the front nine. CBS commentator Dottie Pepper didn’t hold back, calling out the players for their lack of “respect – for your fellow competitors, for the fans, for broadcasts, for all of it.” A similar situation unfolded at PGA West during The American Express, where slow play once again cast a shadow over the tournament.
What’s ironic is that this isn’t a new problem. Way back in 1950, USGA Executive Director Joseph C. Dey Jr. addressed the issue, stating, “The time has come when we simply must act if the game is not to be seriously injured. The thing is getting completely out of hand.” Despite decades of awareness and numerous attempts to address it, slow play continues to plague the PGA Tour.
Causes of Slow Play: A Multifaceted Issue
Why are rounds taking so long? There are several contributing factors. Some argue that modern courses, with their lightning-fast greens and challenging pin placements, demand more careful consideration and contribute to a more deliberate style of play. Others point to the intricate pre-shot routines of some players, who seem to take an eternity to assess every shot. Sahith Theegala, for instance, was observed taking an agonizing 5 minutes and 10 seconds to play a shot from the middle of the fairway at the Masters.
The sheer number of players in a tournament also plays a role. With fields often exceeding 140 players, congestion on the course is almost unavoidable, leading to delays and slower rounds. To address this, the PGA Tour has announced plans to reduce field sizes starting in the 2026 season. This move is expected to have a positive impact on pace of play, potentially leading to shorter rounds and a more enjoyable viewing experience.
Impact on Popularity and Viewership
Slow play isn’t just frustrating for those on the course; it’s also turning viewers away. In 2024, the PGA Tour experienced a concerning 20% decline in TV viewership. Meanwhile, alternative platforms like YouTube, with their faster-paced and more engaging golf content, are seeing a surge in popularity. Bryson DeChambeau, for example, saw his YouTube channel explode from 400,000 to 1.7 million subscribers in just one year.
Paige Spiranac, a well-known golf influencer, has been vocal about the need for the PGA Tour to address slow play. She believes the Tour needs to “speed up the pace of play, get fresh talent incorporated into the broadcasts, introduce the audience to the rookies, less commercials, and most importantly have the best players in the world on one tour.” Her comments highlight the growing disconnect between the traditional broadcast format and the preferences of modern golf fans.
LIV Golf: A Different Approach
LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed rival to the PGA Tour, has taken a different approach to pace of play. Their 54-hole tournaments feature shotgun starts, where all players tee off simultaneously from different holes. This format, combined with a more relaxed environment and a smaller field of 48 players, results in significantly faster rounds, typically under 4 hours.
LIV Golf’s focus on speed and entertainment has resonated with some players and fans who are dissatisfied with the PGA Tour’s slow pace. Several factors contribute to the faster pace of play on LIV Golf. The shotgun starts to eliminate the “waiting on the group ahead” problem that often plagues traditional tournaments. The smaller field size reduces congestion on the course. And the overall atmosphere is more relaxed, with less emphasis on rigid traditions and more focus on entertainment.
Jay Monahan’s Perspective: A Balancing Act
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has offered an interesting perspective on slow play. He argues that it’s not necessarily a bad thing for the Tour’s business interests. The Tour’s broadcast agreements with CBS and NBC require tournaments to fill a specific time slot, and faster play could potentially shorten broadcasts and reduce advertising revenue. This leaves us all with the same thought “Com’on Jay… do better”.
Slow Play at the Club Level
The issue of slow play isn’t limited to the professional ranks. It’s a common complaint among amateur golfers as well. But the main issue with slow play starts at the top with the PGA Tour. If the pros are slow, it’s going to trickle down to the club level. Many club players express frustration with slow rounds and the lack of enforcement of pace-of-play guidelines. Some clubs have implemented their own penalties for slow play, such as fines or restrictions on tee times. However, the problem persists at many courses, highlighting the need for greater awareness and a collective effort to address slow play at all levels of the game.
The TGL Shot Clock
The introduction of the TGL Shot Clock has the potential to revolutionize the pace of play in professional golf and create a trickle-down effect that benefits the sport at all levels. By holding players accountable for their time spent on each shot, the TGL is setting a new standard for efficiency and decisiveness on the course. If the PGA Tour were to adopt a similar system, it would not only address one of the most common criticisms of professional golf but also send a strong message to amateur players and clubs worldwide about the importance of maintaining a steady pace. This could inspire local tournaments, clubs, and even casual golfers to prioritize quicker play, ultimately making the game more enjoyable and accessible for everyone. Implementing a shot clock on the PGA Tour would demonstrate leadership in modernizing the sport while ensuring its sustainability in an era where audience attention spans demand a faster, more engaging experience.