Okay, let’s be real for a moment: slow play is a big problem. It’s something that tests a golfer’s patience like no other factor. While weather, wind, and even course conditions can be challenging, nothing quite tops the frustration of slow play, especially when it starts frustrating both players and fans. Unfortunately, this has been a recurring issue on the LPGA Tour, with fans often voicing their displeasure over the drawn-out pace of play. So, when the No Laying Up podcast crew, Chris Solomon, Soly, and DJ, discussed the topic, it wasn’t exactly breaking news. They even argued that the LPGA’s slow pace is worse than that of the PGA Tour. “LPGA is even worse than PGA Tour,” said one of the hosts—and honestly, there’s a lot of truth to that.

The PGA Tour is often seen as having a better pace of play management compared to the LPGA for several reasons. First and foremost is its measures like the PGA Tour Pace of Play Policy, which includes penalty strokes for players who take too long. While this system is not as strict as a full-shot clock, it provides a framework for tournament officials to manage the flow of the game. In contrast, the LPGA has been slower to implement these kinds of measures, which has led to longer, more frustrating rounds for both players and fans.

One example of this came to light during the 2023 Amundi Evian Championship, where Carlota Ciganda found herself disqualified after refusing to accept a slow-play penalty. Her group had been placed on the clock, and when she was penalized for taking too long. The 34-year-old appealed the decision—but that didn’t go in her favor. So, she was eventually disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard.

This issue of slow play has been a long curse for the LPGA for a while now, and the No Laying Up crew suggests it’s time for a change. They suggested implementing a shot clock, which could not only speed things up but the LPGA apart from other tours in terms of efficiency.

LPGA Pros Speak Up About Slow Play

While these podcasters recently discussed the issue, slow play has been a topic of frustration for LPGA pros long before. After a frustrating round at The Annika Invitational, Charley Hull’s final round was delayed so much that it ended in darkness. Why? You guessed it—slow play. Hull, fed up with the delays, suggested “If you get three bad timings, every time it’s a tee shot penalty, if you have three of them you lose your Tour card instantly.” And even World No.1 Nelly Korda has weighed in, saying, “Honestly, I despise slow play.”

It’s clear that both fans and players are fed up with the current state of affairs. The slow-play issue is damaging the experience of the sport, and it’s something that the LPGA needs to address—especially given the growing popularity of women’s golf. Do you think the LPGA needs a shot clock or stricter penalties to tackle slow play? Let us know in the comments!