If the PGA Tour got a nickel every time someone brought up the issue of pace of play, they would probably be the richest sports league in the world! Hyperbole aside, the fact that this continues to be a heavily discussed issue shows that Jay Monahan and Co. have yet to address the problem.

But the discussion around this issue has picked up a good pace, showing that changes are imminent. One recent discussion was led by 2009 US Open winner Lucas Glover. Lucas Glover had a lot of suggestions to the PGA Tour on the Jan 28 Episode of his show.

One was the reduction of the field sizes. He believes that it does not address the slow-play issue completely, but at least it is a step in the right direction. The onus on improving the quality of golf in display still lies with the player.  “It can, but we still need to do things that will speed up just the PGA Tour player.”

Lucas Glover on improving the quality of golf on the PGA Tour

Reducing the field sizes is not the only way forward for the PGA Tour. In Glover’s eyes, there needs to be different avenues that the Tour can explore. Glover explained, “There still needs to be a measure taken for the brand and for the entertainment value so it’s not fans and TV viewers watching us stand by our ball and wait.”

The players need to be aware of all the moving parts around them. Slowing play doesn’t bother just the broadcast, it disturbs other players. Glover clarified, “It’s getting boring for a lot of people including the players, especially the fast players, it’s getting frustrating.”

One of his controversial statements had been about the use of AimPoint and how it needs to be banned because of the time it takes to be executed. Several players on the PGA Tour are known to use the technique to get an advantage while putting. “I’ve been catching a little grief the last couple of days from some of my peers about AimPoint. Some of them do it very fast and very well.”

The AimPoint is used by several top golfers. The list has the likes of Viktor Rwoland, Max Homa, Dustin Johnson, Lydia Ko, Keegan Bradley, Stacy Lewis, and a host of many others. Glover did get some criticism for his comments on AimPoint and he clarified that what he said were suggestions and not demands for implementation. “Those were just suggestions. I wasn’t trying to single anybody out or anything like that.”

The AimPoint method involves a lot of movement between the ball and the hole and this could be a hindrance for other players. “We got enough people walking up around the hole and around each other’s lines and it can get a little frustrating.”

Lucas Glover’s thoughts on AimPoint

The AimPoint method is a straightforward way to improve your putting. It involves measuring the tilt and aiming your putt according to the tilt the green has. However, Glover does not believe that having an elaborate method contributes to success.

“Statistically, [AimPoint] hasn’t helped anybody make more putts since its inception on the PGA Tour,” the 6-time PGA Tour winner explained on his “The Lucas Glover Show” on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio.

He went on to insist that the AimPoint method messes up the focus and bearing of other golfers who are looking to putt. “Statistics have borne that out. It’s also kind of rude to be up near the hole, stomping around figuring out where the break is in your feet. It needs to be banned. It takes forever.”

While he did not reveal who among the AimPoint practitioners gave him grief, it would likely stick well with anyone who has refined their putting with the three-step method. But it is just one suggestion from his long list of ideas for improving the PGA Tour and its omnipresent pace-of-play issue. The other suggestions include the use of laser rangefinders, yard information on sprinklers, more rakers, and fewer honorary observers. While the PGA Tour might not be able to add all the suggestions, it needs to be seen what changes they bring. What do you think?