Conflict Brews in PGA Tour as Calls for Strict Penalties Against Slow Players Grow Louder: ‘It’s Frustrating’

Slow play in golf is a topic that stirs up plenty of debate. Whether you’re the one being told to hurry up or you’re the one trying to keep up with a lagging group ahead, it’s a constant issue for golfers of all levels. A variety of factors can influence how long it takes to finish 18 holes, from the number of players in front of you to the course difficulty, weather conditions, and even the pressure of competition. And let’s not forget those moments when you need an official ruling or a quick break. But even the pros aren’t immune to the frustration it causes—just ask Sam Burns, who was recently seen showing some frustration towards slow play on the course.

Sam Burns recently appeared on the Subpar Podcast, where he opened up about the issue of slow play in golf and how it affects the game. Burns didn’t hold back in expressing his frustration, especially when it comes to certain players who take their time on the course. He pointed out that when playing in threesomes, there isn’t much incentive for players to speed up. This is because, after hurrying their shots, they often end up waiting for the group ahead, which just leads to more frustration. He said, “Certain guys are slow. It’s frustrating when I’m playing with them.”

Burns also discussed how the size of the groups plays a major role in the pace of play. He explained that players tend to play faster when in twosomes compared to threesomes. According to him, when comparing the times in threesomes to twosomes, players could be “probably five seconds faster per shot in twosomes.” He went on to mention his experience at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, where players in threesomes were taking around five and a half hours to finish the round, despite the tough conditions. In contrast, when the same players switched to twosomes on the weekend, they finished in just four hours.

“That’s a big difference,” he said. Burns believes that the slow pace is not something that can easily be fixed, as shaving off just 10 to 15 minutes doesn’t really make much of an impact. Burns emphasized that the issue isn’t just with the number of players in a group, but also with certain individuals who take excessive time on their shots. He noted, “I watch, and it’s their turn to hit, I’m like, what are you even doing for the last minute and a half? You don’t have your number yet, you don’t know what club you’re going to hit.”

Well, Sam Burns is not the only player who has a problem with the increasingly slow play on the Tour. There are several players on the list.

Charley Hoffman sent out a letter complaining about slow play

Charley Hoffman recently reached out to fellow PGA Tour players with a letter that addressed the ongoing concern of slow play. The message, which Golf Magazine shared on social media, comes after Justin Thomas raised similar concerns in a recent memo about how golfers should improve their pace to help make the sport more appealing to fans and improve television coverage.

In his letter, Hoffman acknowledged that slow play is not just a problem for fans but also the players themselves, explaining that it has been an issue for much of his 20-year career on Tour. While he agreed that reducing field sizes might help reduce overall time slightly, Hoffman emphasized that players still need to be proactive in speeding up their game. He urged his peers to be ready when it’s their turn to hit, encouraging them to speed up if they realize they’re falling behind, even before a rules official steps in.

Hoffman also shared his thoughts on the slow nature of golf, especially when conditions are difficult, but made it clear that players can improve the pace by taking responsibility for their actions. “We all need to take responsibility,” he said, encouraging players to be mindful of their pace even if it’s just a matter of a few seconds. In addition to addressing the pace of play, Hoffman also talked about the role of the PGA Tour in presenting the game in the best light for fans, including through on-course interviews and showing the skill and passion of the golfers. He emphasized that the Tour should always showcase the world’s top players competing at the highest level.

Hoffman didn’t stop there; he also criticized some players for cutting back on their participation in PGA Tour events while still making time to play in other non-Tour competitions like the TGL and Race to Dubai. He argued that to strengthen the Tour, players should prioritize playing in PGA Tour events, rather than participating in smaller, limited-entry tournaments. This would preserve the competitive nature of the Tour, where golfers of all levels have a chance to prove themselves against the best.

As the season continues, Hoffman’s letter could serve as a wake-up call for golfers to rethink their approach to the pace of play. By taking personal responsibility and playing faster, they can help preserve the integrity and excitement of the game, ensuring that the PGA Tour remains competitive and appealing to fans. What do you think about slow play on Tour and how it affects the sport? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!