Take away the “Tour card. Instantly.” That’s what Charley Hull suggested after her final round at the ANNIKA Invitational ended in darkness. The culprit? The same headache that’s been plaguing golf for years—the pace of play, which has frustrated both fans and players alike. It’s one thing to battle injuries, bad weather, or an off-day. But what gets on everyone’s nerves is enduring rounds that crawl at a snail’s pace.

Thankfully, the issue has been addressed more often now than ever, and some solutions are finally being thrown around. Recently, the No Laying Up podcasters also shed some light on the same topic, suggesting that the LPGA Tour should implement a shot clock, which could help speed up things. They even went as far as to claim that the LPGA’s pace of play is “even worse than the PGA Tour’s.” Straightforward? Yes. Brutal? Absolutely. But slow play isn’t just an LPGA Tour problem. Over on the PGA Tour, pros are just as frustrated.

During a pre-tournament press conference at the RSM Classic, Brian Harman came forward with a ‘no-nonsense’ solution. As a major winner and member of the Player Advisory Committee, he’s got some weight behind his words. When asked about the problem, Harman didn’t hold back. His solution? Reduce field sizes. It’s already happening, with the PGA Tour planning smaller fields in 2026. Beginning that year, only players who finish in the top 100 of the prior year’s FedEx Cup standings will keep full status, down from the top 125 this year. Meanwhile, players finishing Nos. 101-125 will drop to conditional status.

While it’s not exactly a crowd-pleaser, Harman explained why it makes sense. “We play the hardest golf courses that you can imagine,” he said, pointing out that the challenging setups naturally slow down the game. “Part of that’s — part of the pace of play problems too.” But it’s not just about the difficulty of the courses; it’s also about logistics. Harman broke it down: fewer players mean fewer groups on the course, making it easier to finish rounds on time. “It’s math,” he said. Reducing field sizes lets tournaments manage tee times better, so players aren’t racing the “daylight” to chase it. 

Of course, this comes with downsides, and Harman didn’t shy away from them. “I’m not numb to the fact that we’re cutting opportunities, right?” he admitted. “It’s not something that sits well with me, and it doesn’t sit well with anyone in those discussions.” But tough decisions like this aren’t black and white. Harman emphasized that every angle was considered. “All these decisions that get made, they’re all not good or all bad,” he explained. We’re looking at every single kind of pro and con to every piece that moves around and trying to figure out the most equitable, fairest way to have a great product.”

The PGA Tour’s move might not be perfect, but it’s bold. Meanwhile, the LPGA is still grappling with slow-play complaints, with players like Hull openly venting their frustrations. Should the LPGA follow the PGA’s lead and shrink field sizes? Or could a shot clock, like the one suggested by No Laying Up, be the way to go? That remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Harman has suggested a solution that golfers such as Billy Horschel are not in favor of. 

PGA Tour amends comes at a cost for golfers

The PGA Tour’s proposed field size reduction, indeed comes out as a bold move to speed up play and ensure rounds finish on time. However, not all golfers are on board with this decision. The pro agreed that the Tour would get smaller while also talking about the PGA Tour removing Q-School. He said, “When I came through it in 2009 to get my card for the first time. Now there’s only Q school went away, which I thought was the dumbest thing the tour could have done.”

He also shared that he told the PGA Tour how negatively it would affect the league, “You guys are killing opportunities for guys coming out of college, players that are good enough to get through the Q school and get on the PGA Tour.”

The move cuts playing opportunities for many, especially those in the 101-125 range of the FedExCup standings. This move also trims Korn Ferry Tour spots and Q-School membership. While the changes are designed to address pace of play and daylight issues, some players are worried about the long-term impact on their careers and future opportunities. This has sparked a bit of tension, as the Tour balances fairness with the need for efficiency.

One thing’s for sure—something’s got to give. Harman’s comments show just how messy fixing the pace of play can be, but at least the PGA Tour is trying. Maybe it’s time for the LPGA to make a move too. Because, let’s be honest, golf is supposed to test your mental toughness, not your patience. What do you think of Harman’s stance? Let us know in the comments!