The golf world has its fair share of issues and the drama surrounding them seems to be never-ending. From aimpoint to delay in the merger, we have seen it all but the issue that has the golfers and fans in a chokehold is, evidently, slow play. The people in the golf have a lot to say about it. For instance, think about 17-time LPGA winner, Dottie Pepper, and her stance on it. She says, “I think we are starting to need a new word to talk about this pace-of-play issue, and it’s ‘respect’…” for the competitors, the fans, and the broadcasts.

When it comes to slow play, Tom Kim has become the heart of ridicule after his performance at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. At his final round on the par-5 sixth hole, he took a long time to line up his second shot. And what happened when he finally hit it? Well, it went out of bounds! Watching this scene unfold for more than a minute, the angry golf world couldn’t do anything but roast him. But it didn’t help him much, because the golfer repeated the same at the following Phoenix Open. While names like Tom Kim are frustrating the golf world, the PGA Tour is making efforts. But it will take time.

Ludvig Aberg has added something new to this conversation. Aberg is currently getting ready to swing on the Bill Hay Golf Course. But before that, he sat down for a press conference, where the conversation eventually turned to the issue of slow play. When someone asked him about what other golfers could take away from his game, he smiled and said, “Oh, pace of play maybe.”

“I would like to think that I’m quick, and I would like to think that I make my decisions pretty fast. I think that’s something positive.” Interestingly, Aberg is known for his “see ball, hit ball” strategy. His compact but robotic golf swing has made him popular, and perhaps that’s why he feels confident making this comment.

So, how did that come about? Ludvig Aberg says it has probably to do with his “playing golf” instead of “practicing golf.” Additionally, he didn’t enjoy practicing. “I didn’t think it was fun to hit balls for a long time, I just wanted to go play and sort of hit shots and go play with my buddies. When I played, I didn’t want to be the guy that people were waiting for. I just don’t like playing slow, and I want the round to sort of have a nice tempo and a nice flow to it, I guess.” This also comes in the same breath as Pepper’s comment about thinking about others as well, and not just yourself. But a lot of golfers face this issue.

The world of golf and the issue of slow play

It is a polarizing subject, though. Some say it needs significant changes, while others believe it is beyond anyone’s control. Besides, there’s a lot of money involved in the sport. The 4-time PGA Tour winner, Ryan Palmer, believes the issue will never be resolved. Why? Because it involves huge purses and players swinging for “a lot of money.” You cannot always be sure, though.

Take the 2023 Masters as an example as well. Then, the rain wasn’t the only reason holding back the golfers, but also slow play. The final round dragged on for hours, as golfers like Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm found themselves waiting at nearly every tee. Much of the upcoming blame was directed at Patrick Cantlay, infamous for his slow pace of play. Koepka didn’t hold back the criticism: “That group in front of us was brutally slow. Jon went to the bathroom like seven times during the round and we were still waiting.” And it is true.

Slow play can be agonizingly boring and exhausting. Just when you think the golfer will hit, they hold back. In fact, even Xander Schauffele was accused of the same last year with Cantlay again. Another name? Well, Bryson DeChambeau. While there’s no fixed solution, what do you suggest? Do you think it can be resolved?