Pace of play on the PGA Tour needs addressing after what can only be described as a difficult start to the 2025 season.
Slow play at The American Express marred the final round and once again brought what has been a long-standing issue into the spotlight.
Tour officials would have been hopeful of a slightly faster pace of play during The Farmers Insurance Open. Yet, on Saturday, the final group took three hours to complete nine holes, which was hardly compelling viewing.
CBS on-course reporter Dottie Pepper said: “I think we’re starting to need a new word to talk about this pace of play issue, and it’s respect, for your fellow competitors, for fans, for broadcast, for all of it, it’s just got to get better.”
PGA Tour look to combat slow play
The PGA Tour has since announced that a number of solutions have been drawn up to combat the ongoing problem.
In an official statement, the Tour revealed that it is considering allowing distance-measuring devices. Range finders are permitted in the PGA Championship and could reduce the time spent calculating yardages.
Secondly, a new video review centre has been pitched, which will allow officials to deal with any decisions quickly. Typically, a wait will occur if a player requires a ruling before hitting their shot. Thirdly, the Tour plans to publically announce the slowest players, which could well act as a deterrent.
Finally, the Tour wants to issue fines and penalties to fans to demonstrate that the slow play problem is being addressed.
Range finder decision could cause more harm than good
Permitting distance-measuring devices feels like a smart move. Players and caddies will no longer be pacing up and down the fairway in search of their perfect number.
However, allowing such devices will only be effective as a replacement for yardage books. If caddies still possess the traditional equipment, they will likely use it. Yardage books have been used throughout the history of the game, and many caddies would opt to use the written layout over new technology.
If both yardage books and measuring devices are allowed, there’s a chance the pace of play would actually get slower. What’s more, without a yardage book, players could actually take longer to read chips and putts whilst around the green.
It’s a proactive idea from the PGA Tour, but the jury is very much out on whether it’s the right move.
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