Slow play in golf is a major issue as it disrupts the game’s pace, causing delays for all players on the course. It leads to a lot of chaos and frustration, and now it seems the PGA Tour is also taking up many new rules to change it. However, some players have a different approach to the game. Well, John Daly is one of them. Take the 1995 Open Championship in St. Andrews for example. 

His time on the tee box during the third round of that year’s Open caused some frustration among fellow competitors. His slow play was noted by fans and commentators, and it became a talking point throughout the week. The slow pace was so notable that Daly himself later acknowledged the criticism and admitted that he didn’t always realize how long he was taking. Well, that was not where it ended. As it turns out, one of his videos has managed to reignite the debate once again.

NUCLR Golf recently took to their official X account and shared a video of the legendary golfer in action. In the video, they wrote, “The definition of Ready Golf.” He got down from his cart, smoked his cigarette, hit the ball, and waited to see how it went. Taking to this, they raised a question in the caption, “John Daly’s pace of play is ________.” This has once again put forward the issue of slow play in the game of golf.

The entire golf community came together to put forward their views about John Daly’s gameplay. And of course, some shared their views of his pace of play, too.

The Golf Community left in splits after watching the video

John Daly almost assessed all his shots and waited patiently for the ball to land before he went ahead to the next spot to make his putt. He even kept smoking his cigar at every interval he could. And yet, he managed to card three shots in thirty-seven seconds. This left the people impressed, unlike the time at the Open Championship. Taking to this, some of them answered the question and left comments like, “Absolutely perfect” and “This should be the standard”.

However, John Daly could not put the ball into the hole even after trying out three times. This left some of his fans disappointed with his aim. They believe it is more important to focus on the direction rather than speed. One of them commented, “Unfortunately sloppy.  Fast, yes… but people would rather see him do well… even if that means thinking about a shot”, answering the question.

The game of chess has awards and recognition for players who excel at playing quickly, particularly in formats like blitz chess and bullet chess, where speed is a crucial component of the game. One of them suggested that even golf should have something like that, which might easily help omit the problem of slow play on the course. They wrote, “Golf should have a chess-type timing and award players playing faster”. While another wrote, “His lack of self-respect is quite sad.”

In the video, to some of the fans, it seemed as if John Daly did not care about the shots he was hitting. He just came, made his swing, and that was all. Taking to this, they left comments like, “Dgaf” and “Looks like he doesn’t care”.

At the same 1995 Open Championship, held at the Old Course in St Andrews, John Daly claimed his first Open Championship and second major title, defeating Costantino Rocca in a dramatic four-hole playoff. Taking to his current shot and comparing it with the win, one of them even wrote, “Amazing same guy won open”.

What are your thoughts on John Daly’s pace of play? Let us know in the comments section below!