Yes, we are talking about slow play again. The issue continues to plague the game, frustrating fans and players alike. It’s a problem that’s been around for decades, and despite efforts to address it, slow play remains a major concern. The pace of play affects not only the players but also the broadcast partners and ultimately the fans, who are eager to watch a thrilling competition. In a recent call to action, PGA Tour player Charley Hoffman emphasized the need for players to take responsibility for speeding up their game, highlighting the importance of being aware of their position and taking initiative to accelerate play.

Hoffman also touched on other issues, including limited opportunities for golfers to play their way into signature events and the need for players to support PGA Tour events over non-tour events. Well, people at the Fore Play podcast may have devised a potential solution, if you want to call it one.

The hosts dive into a heated discussion about the PGA Tour’s slow play issue in the latest episode of the Fore Play golf podcast on YouTube. While exploring potential solutions, they surprisingly pinpoint Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed as the unlikely keys to solving the problem – but not for their golfing prowess. Instead, the hosts argue that the controversy and drama surrounding these two golfers are what the sport needs to capture the attention of a wider audience.

The hosts nostalgically recall the “glory days” of golf, when DeChambeau and Reed were constantly making headlines for their antics on and off the course. From DeChambeau’s unorthodox putting style to Patrick Reed’s cheating scandals, these golfers brought a level of excitement and drama to the sport that’s been missing lately. As one host notes, “We just need to inject like 30 more superstars into the sport, that’s it.” Another host chimes in, “We used to have so much to talk about when Bryson and Patrick Reed were in the mix… they were so polarizing all the time, every week, Bryson was doing something that had people so riled up.”

And well, that is true, DeChambeau’s aura on the field is no joke, as it was also witnessed by many at the ’24 US Open. Growing golf is a top priority for many in the professional game, and DeChambeau gave a masterclass on it at Pinehurst. When he took home the trophy, the 30-year-old generously credited the crowd for helping him secure the win and then took it a step further by letting countless fans touch the trophy as he celebrated his second major since 2020. A third host adds, “That was the Golden Era of his wife on Twitter, putting us in the cheap seats.”

The hosts contend that the PGA Tour needs more charismatic DeChambeau and Reed to draw in new fans and keep the sport relevant and they might be right. We mean, did you see what happened at the 2025 LIV Adelaide?

Patrick Reed’s fan interaction at the LIV Adelaide

Patrick Reed is undoubtedly one of the most polarizing figures in golf, and his charismatic aura is undeniable. Love him or hate him, Reed always seems to be at the center of attention, and his latest feat at the LIV Adelaide event was no exception. The former Masters champion sank a hole-in-one at the 12th hole, sending the packed galleries into a frenzy. Reed’s infectious enthusiasm and unapologetic confidence make him a magnet for attention, and his antics on the course are always worth watching.

While the electric atmosphere at the LIV Adelaide event was undoubtedly thrilling, it’s essential to remember that crowd engagement, as important as it is, won’t solve the issue of slow play plaguing the sport. As entertaining as it is to watch Reed and other golfers thrive in a lively atmosphere, the reality is that slow play remains a major concern that needs to be addressed through more meaningful solutions. Reducing field sizes, increasing penalties for slow play, and promoting a culture of efficiency among golfers are just a few potential solutions that could help alleviate the problem. Ultimately, while crowd engagement is crucial for the sport’s popularity, it’s only one piece of the puzzle.