Does Slow Play Make Pro Golf Unwatchable

Tour players have much to answer for when it comes to the pace of the game we all love.

I know it, the players know, the officials know it, spectators know it, TV viewers know it - and so do you.

Our survey on the pace of play revealed that of the 2,000 of you who responded, 69% believe professional golfers are too slow. Just 18% disagreed with 13% unsure.

We also asked if the pace put you off watching the PGA Tour and DP World Tour on TV and it was interesting to note that just 42% of you found it to be a turn-off.

Pre-Shot Routines

One of the things that drives me bonkers when watching many of the world’s best golfers is having to sit through their pre-shot routines. US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley immediately springs to mind. 

We also asked you if the pre-shot routines of the world’s best influenced what you do. Thankfully, just 6% answered in the affirmative.

What Golf Fans Think

You had a LOT to say on this subject.

"What people watch is copied through the generations. Serious penalties are the only answer as it is also ruining the spectacle to watch on TV."

"Slow play punishments should be enforced and they need to be shot penalties not fines."

"Five-hour plus rounds are common. The watch is not used enough and fines don’t work. Penalty shots are the way to go."

Many of you said the same thing. This has been an issue I have addressed many times. I could not agree more with the comments above. What is the point of fining a multi-millionaire a couple of thousand dollars or euros for slow play? I am utterly convinced that the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA and LET, as well as all the development tours, should start penalising slow play with one-shot penalties, and more for serial offenders. There is not the slightest doubt in my mind that this would speed up the game. They have 40 seconds to play but how many of them achieve that?

Slow Play Makes Golf Hard to Watch

Rounds routinely take upwards of five hours - and in the majors it is even worse.

Does anybody really want to watch Bradley endlessly stepping in and out of shots, changing clubs, and then going back to the one he originally had? 

I have to say that the likes of Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele are like a breath of fresh air. They just get on with the game.

Over the years I have been driven to distraction watching the likes of Jason Day, Sergio Garcia and Kevin Na taking forever and a day to hit a golf ball. It is a turn-off. Period.

What Are The Solutions?

"Allow distance devices, ban Aim Point and walking along line of putt."

"Ban green contour books, allow GPS or other distance device. Only allow ball to be marked once on the green, cleaned and replaced, no constant lining up."

Distance devices are now allowed at certain tournaments. If club golfers can use them, why are they not widely permitted at professional events? Again, this would surely speed things up for everybody. A distance device never lies. And do not get me started on Aim Point. I said…. Does anybody out there actually understand it? What happened to getting down on your haunches, looking at the line of a putt and trusting your instincts?

I also agree that green contour books should be put in the bin - they have been banned on the PGA Tour since 2022. And having an already perfectly clean golf ball cleaned again? What on earth is that all about?

"Caddies should not be allowed to read putts, player only."

"No checking of line on putts by the caddie and cut out this ridiculous walking the putt line with feet either side."

"Far too much time spent checking yardage books, wind, ground conditions, putt lines, Aim Point and asking caddies for guidance. Get on with it, use your skill and try to keep the spectators awake. The rules officials should establish a reasonable time per round and apply it."

Agreed. 100%. If you are one of the world’s best golfers you most certainly do not need your bag man to tell you which way a putt breaks. It is nonsense.

Contrasting Opinions

Some of you were happy to defend pre-shot routines…

"Having a pre-shot routine is almost certainly the only way most humans could cope with the intense pressure and scrutiny that pro golfers have to deal with. You can't make the stakes so high then expect them not to do everything they can to be the best they can be. Maybe TV producers need to be more selective over the players they focus on or, when they can't, at what point they switch to certain players."

Others disagree…

"I believe that it is the professional game that has caused slow play to become an issue in the amateur/club game. I understand that there is a lot at stake in terms of money and tour cards and so players want to ensure they are making the right decisions. However, some of the deliberations are far too excessive, especially on the greens. I believe that better enforcement of the rules (regarding time to play shots) by officials in the professional game would help the game of golf all round."

It is a subject that clearly polarises opinion, and probably always will.

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