In recent years, the PGA Tour has been facing the ongoing issue of slow play, with players taking far too long to complete rounds. While the Tour implemented a new pace of play policy in 2020, there has been a lack of penalties for slow play, with the last penalty being issued in 2017. This has led to frustration among fans and players alike, as the slow pace of play can make the game less enjoyable to watch and participate in.
Veteran CBS Broadcaster and 1991 Open Championship winner Ian Baker-Finch recently shared his thoughts on how the PGA Tour can enforce pace of play and combat slow play. Baker-Finch believes that players should be required to play in four hours and have only 30 seconds to play each shot, with only the player being able to read putts. He argues that the current pace of play, averaging around 5.5 hours, is excessive and is detrimental to the game of golf as a whole.
During a recent episode of GOLF Subpar, Baker-Finch criticized the slow pace of play at times on the PGA Tour. He referenced a recent tournament where 36 holes had to be played on the final day, with each round taking five hours and 20 minutes to complete. Baker-Finch believes that the issue of slow play begins before players reach the PGA Tour, as they are accustomed to playing in longer rounds during college and junior golf. He argues that the PGA Tour needs to set strict time limits for rounds and penalize players who exceed those limits.
One suggestion that Baker-Finch proposes is allowing the use of distance-measuring devices on the course. While this idea may be unpopular among some, Baker-Finch points to the recent U.S. Amateur where the pace of play was good with the use of distance-measuring devices. He believes that the increasing use of caddie conversations and discussions before shots is contributing to the slow pace of play and suggests finding ways to limit these discussions on the course.
Overall, Baker-Finch believes that the PGA Tour needs to take more proactive steps to enforce pace of play and speed up the game. He urges the Tour to set strict time limits for rounds and penalize players who exceed those limits. By implementing measures such as requiring players to play in four hours and limiting the use of caddie conversations, Baker-Finch believes that the pace of play can be improved and the game of golf can become more enjoyable for players and fans alike.
For more insights from Baker-Finch and some entertaining stories about his friend David Feherty, viewers can watch the full episode of Subpar. With the ongoing conversation around pace of play in professional golf, it is clear that more action needs to be taken to address this issue and ensure that the game remains enjoyable for all involved. By implementing stricter policies and time limits, the PGA Tour can work towards improving the pace of play and enhancing the overall experience for players and fans alike.
