Opinion & Analysis

My Take: The slow play epidemic in golf (and a call for transformation)

Published

2 years ago

Nov 1, 2024

Golf, cherished for its precision, sportsmanship, and rich tradition, is suffering from an epidemic that threatens its very essence: slow play. This growing issue is neither new nor unnoticed, yet it continues to plague courses around the globe. The culprits? Players who meander unnecessarily, course operators who fail to enforce pace policies effectively, and even the professional sphere, where the PGA Tour too often sees rounds extending beyond five arduous hours. Each party shares responsibility and must be part of the solution.

The Problem: A Collective Responsibility

According to the USGA’s extensive research, the average round of golf has surged to over four and a half hours, with several rounds stretching far beyond this timeframe. This data is not only alarming for purists of the game but detrimental to its growth and sustainability. Many factors contribute to this persistent issue, beginning with golfers themselves.

Players often take excessive time in pre-shot routines, deliberating over club choice and yardage as if every shot were their last. While meticulousness is a part of the game, the heightened emphasis on perfection is unwarranted. This enduring obsession with precision leads not only to frustration among fellow competitors but also alienates new and younger players, who favor more dynamic and engaging sports.

On the administrative end, course operators must bear their share of the blame. Too often, they shy away from implementing or enforcing pace-of-play protocols, fearing backlash from patrons. The reluctance to penalize slow play or educate golfers on pace expectations undermines any attempts to alleviate the issue.

Additionally, the PGA Tour sets a questionable standard, regularly showcasing rounds that exceed five hours. While professional golfers perform under immense pressure, and meticulousness is their hallmark, the impression left on amateur counterparts is one of permissiveness toward leisurely play. The Tour, as the pinnacle of the sport, must model efficiency and respect for time.

Solutions: Harnessing Urgency and Innovation

Addressing this problem demands innovation and a collective shift in mindset from players, course management, and the professional arena.

First, golfers must embrace personal accountability. Encouraging “ready golf,” where players hit when prepared rather than strictly adhering to a sequence, can make a substantial difference. Understanding that recreational golf does not require the intensity and analysis found at competitive levels will help speed up play considerably.

Course operators hold the keys to impactful change, too. Instituting firm yet fair pace-of-play policies and proactively teaching golfers about expected timeframes can reshape expectations. Visual cues such as clocks on scoreboards or course signage can subtly remind and motivate players to maintain pace.

Technological solutions also show promise, as the USGA’s research highlights. Implementing GPS-based tracking systems can help monitor groups, allowing course management to address bottlenecks promptly. Staggered tee times may reduce congestion at critical points on the course, facilitating smoother play.

Lastly, the PGA Tour must assume its role as a pace-setter. Cutting down on practice swings, employing time limits on shot preparation, and penalizing breaches of time regulations can send a strong message. Tour events can inspire recreational golfers to follow suit by aligning culture with efficiency.

A Call to Action: The Path Forward

The slow play epidemic is a complex one but not insurmountable. Each participant in the world of golf — from weekend enthusiasts to the elite — must pledge to transform the game into an experience that respects time, cherishes engagement, and upholds the values that have long defined it. By drawing insights from USGA’s research and employing collective action, the game can transcend this hurdle, ensuring its rich traditions endure for future generations. Let us take to the tees with renewed purpose and lead golf into a more efficient, enjoyable era.

Editor’s note: “My Take” will be an ongoing weekly series where Brendon shares his thoughts and opinions on various aspects of the game and industry. These are Brendon’s opinions and do not necessarily reflect those of GolfWRX, its staff, and its affiliates.

Want to find out my thoughts on the first day of the LPGA’s Toto Japan Classic? How about a look back on the DP World Tour’s “Back 9” series? Go to my new weekly column, “Friday Fore-Cast,” on RG.org.

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Brendon Elliott

As a member of the Golf Writers Association of America, Brendon Elliott covers premier tournaments including the PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour, the Masters Tournament, and the PGA Championship. He has conducted notable interviews with golf legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Annika Sorenstam, and modern greats like Keegan Bradley. Elliott's media career spans multiple prestigious platforms, with current affiliations including PGA.com and PGA Magazine (since 2018), GolfWRX (since 2018), MyGolfSpy (beginning in 2025), and RG.org (since 2024). Through his One More Roll Golf Media company, he works as a premier freelance golf writer while consulting with golf start-up companies. Elliott's distinguished career as a PGA Professional has focused on developing junior golfers. In 2017, he was named the PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award Winner and has been recognized multiple times as one of the best golf instructors regionally and nationally. In 2008, Elliott founded Little Linksters, an award-winning youth golf academy, and in 2010 expanded with a sister nonprofit organization for children of all abilities. While he sold Little Linksters Academy in December 2024, he continues as Executive Director of the nonprofit and launched the BE A GOLFER Academy for competitive teen golfers in January 2025. Elliott's combination of teaching experience, business acumen, and journalistic expertise positions him as a comprehensive authority in the golf industry, bridging instruction and media for golf enthusiasts, industry professionals, and aspiring players.

65 Comments

Richard

Nov 21, 2024 at 9:43 pm

Slow play is caused by one thing and one thing only: poor enforcement.

People are going to be slow and not know it. But courses are so timid about getting people to keep up with the group in front of them. Confront those people regardless of why they’re behind. Looking for lost balls, taking forever on greens, not clearing the green area after putting out. Whatever. The reasons are myriad, but the solution is one: enforcement.

Reply Report comment
Andrew J

Nov 18, 2024 at 9:09 am

At least 50% of the slow play issue is greenreading. And it’s brutal to watch Pros hopscotching and perform tedious walk-arounds. Ask Jim Nance. All slow play on greens goes away and more putts disappear with this book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJT2YLL9

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Jerry Mahony

Nov 15, 2024 at 12:36 pm

I worked at a very private golf course in SC. To avoid slow play we provided each teetime a sheet that tells them where they should be on the course at their given tee off time. The ranger had a master sheet that tells him where a specific group should be on the course. After a little bit of push back, the members actually liked the system so they would know if they need to speed up. All the teetime cards were laminated and could be use multiple times. Knowlege is power and nobody wants to be the one group that is slowing everyones and it was easy on the members and the rangers.

Reply Report comment
Dwayne

Nov 11, 2024 at 10:20 pm

STOP TRYING TO PACK FOURSOMES OF VARYING SKILL LEVEL ONTO THE COURSE WITH SHORT INTERVALS.

There, I fixed the slow play problem for you.

The *real* problem, however, is that course managers want all the revenue, customer experience be damned. If they can make more money by packing the tee sheet with 7-minute spacing, they don’t care if it results in six-hour rounds. There will always be some schmuck willing to pay…

Reply Report comment
Azz

Nov 11, 2024 at 1:39 pm

Ever heard of these guys:
https://www.mgatour.com

Reply Report comment
Greg

Nov 11, 2024 at 8:06 am

Slow play isn’t normal. Not where I’m from (Iowa) and generally not even when I’m playing courses in AZ. Some groups are slow because they’re terrible. Some courses are simply too hard for some people. Shit happens. IMO it’s really only bad on Tour and if the tv coverage shows enough shots idgaf.

I believe the real issue is places like Top Golf introducing people to golf and suddenly people think they know how to play and IT’S HARD. That’s where the shit happens comes in.

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Richard

Nov 8, 2024 at 8:23 pm

Slow play is always what someone else is doing. The reality is often different.

I believe the ONLY answer is enforcement. But…another possibility is encouragement. Reward groups who finish under a certain time. Of course, there will always be the group that doesn’t respond to the incentive and, thus, slows down the entire course behind them.

But that first inclination, that it isn’t you but someone else instead, is the real problem. That’s why enforcement is the only thing that works.

Reply Report comment
joe connelly

Nov 8, 2024 at 9:36 am

My home course is a 5800 yards from the tips, not a long course. But it’s Vermont, it’s super hilly. Not a long walk between greens and tees. My regular group, 4 tee times, we mostly walk, and usually play in 3:45-4:00. That includes an 83 year old who always walks and an 87 year old who walks 75% of the time. A 4:15 round, a few guys will be commenting on why the heck is it so slow today. Our club does 10 minute start intervals which is a big help.

My complaint is with one of our starters who doesn’t seem to understand that it’s ok for a little variance in pace of play between groups. We tend to be among the first groups out but never first. Usually about the 6th-10th groups out. #5 green is right next to #1 tee. We have come off #5 in under 1:05 as a 4some, the 2some or 3some in front of us is off #6 (a par 3), and we’ll get told we need to pick it up. 1:05 for 5 holes is sub 4 hour pace!

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Jeff

Nov 5, 2024 at 4:33 pm

The problem starts with TV coverage. Pros don’t have to golf faster the broadcasters need to stop showing anything other than the shot. The public course marshals need to start marshaling. If these two things are done the rest will fall into place.

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Alex Buckley

Nov 5, 2024 at 12:49 pm

A really simple solution, a triple bogey (or even net double bogey) max on every hole. If you’re someone who can’t realistically make a double bogey or better every hole and keep up with pace of play, you belong back on the driving range. Public golf has been ruined by the COVID golf epidemic with a flood of golfers who do not care to respect others.

Reply Report comment
- GregZ
  
  Nov 13, 2024 at 12:33 pm
  
  Totally agree with the COVID golf epidemic, i see it on all the courses i play. 18-24 year old males always in an electric cart even on a par 3 course. They were never taught how to respect the game. Yes…triple …pick it up please and move to the next hole.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Alex Buckley
    
    Nov 14, 2024 at 9:47 am
    
    Exactly. Now we have even more people keeping their score on each hole up to 8, 9, 10+ strokes to say they keep their score accurately, when really its ruining the experience for everyone else. It’s okay to take a triple as your max score and move on.
    
    Reply Report comment
- b
  
  Mar 27, 2026 at 12:15 pm
  
  Finally someone else has said it,,COVID has ruined golf.
  
  Reply Report comment
Eric

Nov 5, 2024 at 8:46 am

This isn’t a main issue but can make it worse when the course is packed. Walking should be at the pro shop’s discretion, if the tee sheet is packed full on a Saturday they shouldn’t be sending out groups of walkers.

Reply Report comment
- Richard
  
  Nov 21, 2024 at 9:39 pm
  
  Four walkers can be faster than four people in two carts. Walking is NOT the problem.
  
  Reply Report comment
Dan S

Nov 4, 2024 at 7:02 pm

Eliminate alignment markings on balls. Too much time spent tweaking those lines when putting.
Continuous putting. You get to lift and clean the ball once per green.
Don’t worry about walking on someone’s putting line, if needed. Someone else was there 8 minutes earlier. Tap down any spike marks.
No straddling the putting line to feel the slope.
Teach junior golfers to play faster. Junior tournaments are tough to watch, with players mimicking pros on tv. And juniors will regulars in a few years.
Allow all technology: slope, detailed green books, wind, etc. but limit use to 15 seconds per shot.

Reply Report comment
- T
  
  Nov 4, 2024 at 8:35 pm
  
  You don’t play golf, do you? LOL
  
  Reply Report comment
- stopit
  
  Nov 10, 2024 at 6:31 pm
  
  Goodness, you are way off the mark. Juniors ARE taught to play fast, in fact, most junior tournaments are the fastest things I’ve seen. They don’t even wait for each other to hole out; they are on the way to the next hole as soon as THEY hole out. Why? Because the tournaments PENALIZE slow play all the time.
  
  Aimpoint takes 1-2 readings for slope. Fast compared to reading a putt from all 4 sides while plum bobbing, so NO, that’s not the issue.
  
  Stay off people’s putting line; stepping over the line takes no additional time, it’s not slowing anything down.
  
  Instead, go to your ball and be ready to play as soon as possible! Stop the nonsense of “the correct order” of play. THAT is what slows the whole thing to a grinding halt. PLAY REAL READY GOLF!
  
  Reply Report comment
DaveJ

Nov 4, 2024 at 6:23 pm

At least 50% of slow play is caused by looking for golf balls. It is easier than ever to hit the ball far and therefore farther off-line into the trees and tall grass on bad shots. Balls are also more expensive so just dropping and moving on isn’t fun. There isn’t a good solution to this unless the course wants to give players 3 free balls with their round and not allow searches over 1 minute.

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G LUD

Nov 4, 2024 at 10:20 am

WHY DOESN’T ANYONE MENTION THE “BALL ON THE GREEN” PROBLEMS”
1. 4 GUYS MARK AROUND THE COMPASS POINTS WHERE THEY COULDN’T POSSIBLY INTERFERE…TV INFLUENCE.IF BALL IS THERE ONE CAN’T HELP BUT START LINING UP THE PUTT
2. NOT LINING UP THE PUTTS BEFORE THEY PICK UP THEIR UNNEEDED MARKER.
3. WAITING FOR GUY TO CLEAN SAND TRAP

1,2,AND 3 CAN EASILY ADD 2 MINUTES TO EACH HOLE…..36 X 2= 36 IT’S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE

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Andrew J

Nov 4, 2024 at 7:43 am

Nobody knows what plumbobbing is because there is zero Math behind it. Ditto Aimpoint. No Math textbook has a chapter on foot-feeling. Only EGOS has Math and no need to stare at putts from all sides. EGOS with Math is in these 20 dollar books from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJT2YLL9
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCSZ7M53

Reply Report comment
- No
  
  Nov 9, 2024 at 11:08 pm
  
  You’re just wrong. Aimpoint is based on feeling the slope percentage, a mathematical measurement you can double check with a digital level. It’s a real measurement. It’s based on computer models that show the slope percentage as applied in the system is the primary driver of break in a putt. So no, there’s lots of math in aimpoint.
  
  Reply Report comment
- pnd4pnd
  
  Nov 12, 2024 at 12:04 pm
  
  You couldn’t be more wrong about aimpoint and only trying to hawk some crap books on amazon. Wanna bet you are the author?
  
  Reply Report comment
Lefthack

Nov 3, 2024 at 10:49 pm

I am a very ready golfer. I don’t take practice swings, it takes less than 3 seconds from when I step up to the ball to hit it. I visualize the shot, I picture the swing it takes, and I step up and hit it. Sometimes it’s as pictured, sometimes not. But taking 4 practice swings isn’t going to impact that shot.

Reply Report comment
- M. LUMBO
  
  Nov 4, 2024 at 9:33 am
  
  I appreciate your thought.
  When I lived and played in Scotland, it was common for 2 possible 3 guys hitting from the fairway at the same time.
  Looking for a refurbished top flight golf ball as if it’s the Holy Grail.
  
  Reply Report comment
Murv

Nov 3, 2024 at 6:07 pm

I will admit our groups could play faster. We have a mix of walkers and riders. And we are all older golfers. Some in the 80’s We try to play ready golf as best we can. But if one guy always hits first because he walks a little faster..that gets old. But that’s the way it goes. We have some long walks between greens and tees. A walker can lose a couple minutes just getting to the next tee. But if we aren’t held up ourselves we can finish in 4 hours. But if a group of 4 riders is behind us who wants to play in 3 1/2 hours we’re in trouble.

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Andrew J

Nov 3, 2024 at 9:22 am

Foot-feeling greenreading is slow, annoying and doesn’t work. Replace it with the Quick & always accurate EGOS: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJT2YLL9

Reply Report comment
Mike

Nov 2, 2024 at 7:56 pm

I’m glad places I play don’t have this problem. The problem, however, it’s too many people crammed on a course.

While I’ve never been warned of slow play, I’m tired of articles and complaining that transforms my game of improvement into a game of rushing. I agree that it’s excessive sometimes, but so is the constant complaining.

You want to sprint? Join track. Golf could stand to lose popularity. There’s not enough room on the course for all these people.

It causes people to hit into others because we’re pressured to play fast. I’ve played 6hr rounds before because of slow play. Seldom.

I still enjoyed it. If I don’t want to do that, I can quit golf.

Thigh, I rarely run into this anyways. And I live in North Carolina.

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Idea

Nov 2, 2024 at 6:54 pm

We have slow play constantly at my course. 2 observations:

one, the slow groups are ALWAYS going one player at a time. They are never at their own ball, ready to play. They are always at one of the other 3 players until it’s their ordered turn. So go to your ball and be ready and stop with the nonsense formality of playing in order.

Two, if for example you’ve hit 8 shots on a par 3, pick up. Know when to pick up the ball and move on.

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Brad

Nov 2, 2024 at 4:28 pm

Just PLAY FASTER! If 2 are in a cart drop the first person at their ball and drive to the next, don’t wait. Make the shorter hitter walk up to the cart or pick them up on the way back to the path. If you’re at your ball ready to hit and the player away isn’t – hit it, don’t wait! Be mindful of where you are and that you’re keeping up with the group in front. Self awareness seems to be in short supply these days. No, it’s not a race, but it’s not a Sunday stroll through the park either, find the happy medium. If you can’t finish 18 in under 4 hours you need to ask yourself why and figure out what you need to do to fix it.

Reply Report comment
- Brad
  
  Nov 2, 2024 at 4:32 pm
  
  Also, handicap guidelines specify net double bogey max. Instead of putting out for 7 on the #1 handicap par 4 after dumping one in the water off the tee, pick it up, it’s good, move on!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - T
    
    Nov 2, 2024 at 7:00 pm
    
    If, that is if they maintain a handicap!!
    Most people don’t. Most people are out there for fun and a hobby, they are not too serious about it to that extent.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Brad
      
      Nov 2, 2024 at 10:44 pm
      
      That’s fine, my point was more to the fact that USGA handicap rules stipulate net double bogey then pick it up. If you don’t have a handicap or you’re just out there for fun, once you get to double bogey pick it up and move to the next hole.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - T
        
        Nov 4, 2024 at 8:33 pm
        
        To add:
        Do you think any of those people even care about the Rules??? And just imagine if you made those absolute weekend hackers play by the Rules. Proper boundariesw, proper drops, etc etc….
        And who are YOU to tell them what to do and how many strokes or whatever. They paid to play. You don’t own them
        
        Reply Report comment
- Greg
  
  Nov 3, 2024 at 6:02 am
  
  Tee time intervals are HUGE. My course has 10 minute times. Across town, 8 minutes. In my experience, 8 minute intervals result in multiple groups getting to know each other on multiple tee boxes. Very rarely happens at my muni.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - ericsokp
    
    Nov 4, 2024 at 11:35 am
    
    Bingo! I think this is one of the biggest causes of slow play … and you should feel fortunate with 8 or 10 minute tee time intervals; at my local courses it’s down to 7 minutes as they cram as many people as possible onto the course and then wonder why there are so many backups.
    
    Reply Report comment
T

Nov 2, 2024 at 3:32 pm

Courses are too long. 7000 yards used to be the back tees at most places back in the day of persimmon at most courses.
Ball goes too far – back then when people would miss it 250 into the rough, they could still find it, that same ball (with the requisite modern driver at 45.5 inches more when they used to be less than 44.5), now that same shot, same miss is going 275 and therefore deeper on the same line – and people go searching for their $7 Pro-Vs. I don’t blame them, they are just using equipment sold to them
There needs to be actually be MORE bush and brush, with MORE OBs in the same areas – so that people would just hit provisional, give up looking, and move on, rather than red penalties and therefore they go looking and if one person loses 10 balls into the bush and are ‘allowed to” look for 3 minutes each time – well??? That’s 30 minutes added to their “playing time” is it not????
Repeal the ball, reduce COR of drivers to .800, reduce driver lengths and cap it at 45, quit selling the game of distances, make it a SKILL game, make it harder, make people WALK

Reply Report comment
David Krumenacker

Nov 2, 2024 at 3:22 pm

Superintendents need to use their heads a little also. Stick the pins in the middle of greens or far away from the penal areas around the green. No need to tuck pins or on slopes where two putting is impossible.

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Larry Deschler

Nov 2, 2024 at 10:57 am

I agree that the golf course owners/managers need to get more involved and actually do something to discourage slow play rather than just collecting green fees and ignoring the situation. The actions outlined on the yellow sign in the article would be a good start if they would actually follow through. I think that the 4 hour and 30 minute suggested time is way too long however. A foursome can readily play in 3 hours and 45 minutes without rushing. There should be penalties attached for not meeting that standard.

Reply Report comment
- T
  
  Nov 2, 2024 at 3:23 pm
  
  Bull. Try walking some of these wickedly hill courses that were made only with carts in mind, gaps between holes are as big as the Par4s and at 7000 yards there is no chance you could do that in that time
  
  Reply Report comment
Nick

Nov 2, 2024 at 10:56 am

Can’t grow the game and have quick play at the same time .. too many people who should be on the driving range practicing are on the course practicing during a round.

Reply Report comment
Gary Waliszewski

Nov 2, 2024 at 10:30 am

Golfers should play from appropriate tee and course should explain that to the golfers. Playing from back tees and shooting 100+ is a sure way to have a 4.5 to 5 hour round

Reply Report comment
- snapjack
  
  Nov 4, 2024 at 9:15 am
  
  I’ve been playing for 35 years and have seen players on the back tee twice. I agree the number of people playing from the blue tees is to high though.
  
  Reply Report comment
JM

Nov 2, 2024 at 10:07 am

Using a 4 and 1/2 hour as the standard is the first problem. Anything more than 3.75 hours seems like a crawl to me and i play with 60-75 yr olds who hole out every putt. If you tell someone that they have 4.5 hours before its a problem, they’ll use every minute.
If I go bowling, rent a pickleball court, etc…there is a time limit. If I go over, I pay for more time. If someone else has it reserved, I’m off the court/lane. Slow golfers have a mentality that they are the only ones that matter.

Reply Report comment
- JM
  
  Nov 2, 2024 at 10:09 am
  
  also, with gps technology…reward fast play and punich slow play. Easy enough to tell who is the problem. Carts that are holding up the course get $ tacked on their tab. Carts being held up get $ deducted from theirs.
  
  Reply Report comment
- eeee
  
  Nov 11, 2024 at 3:57 pm
  
  exactly
  
  Reply Report comment
Saturday

Nov 2, 2024 at 7:57 am

I have an old golf magazine from 1973. You know what the number one problem was back then? Slow play.
Superintendents never get the share of the blame they deserve. The rough is too often “Easter egg hunt” deep. People are reluctant to abandon golf balls that cost 5 bucks each. Rough should be one inch, no more. Pin placements should be in the flattest section of the greens so that the second putt is easier. Pins are never cut into the sides of slopes anywhere in the professional game, and that includes Augusta. Why do it for us? Bunkers should be eliminated from public courses. The cost savings is huge and most of them aren’t constructed properly so they are basically ground under repair anyway. People try to play from them and can’t. Tour pros couldn’t play from them either. There is plenty of blame to go around but since nothing else has really worked let’s look somewhere other than the players for some of the solutions.

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Square

Nov 2, 2024 at 4:34 am

I would play more golf if I knew stomping out slow play was a priority. Technology could aid in advising the group they are running behind in their expected times. I just don’t have the patience for a 5 hour round any longer; I’d rather do something else like go to the driving range.

Reply Report comment
B

Nov 1, 2024 at 10:21 pm

1. As a tall, less-than-professional athlete, that takes longer than average to get balanced/centered/comfortable over a shot, I have to point out that the pre-shot routine trope is (largely) a myth. I’ve played 500+ rounds in my life and spent a decade as a club and pro caddie; most the culprits of slow play are: 1. High-handicap and occassional golfers not picking up and heading to the next hole when double par is no longer achievable. 2. Being ready to play when it’s your turn (there’s many components to this which are too long to list here) 3. Not being able to find your ball. As a former caddie, and non-idiot, I probably save 20 minutes a round by directing both the rest of my regular foursomes, as well as players I get paired up with, to the location of their balls.

Reply Report comment
BD57

Nov 1, 2024 at 7:41 pm

A couple of ideas

#1, 8 minute gap between tee times is ridiculous. Best would be 10

#2, develop “single player carts.” Significant slowdown is “drive to ball #1, wait til the shot is hit, drive to ball #2. No, people don’t “Have” to do that, but they do it all the time.

Single player cart would be smaller, lighter, less wear & tear on the golf course.

Reply Report comment
- T
  
  Nov 2, 2024 at 3:25 pm
  
  Getting rid of carts should be the priority, you’d get rid of lazy players who don’t want to walk and the pace will get quicker as real walkers know how to place their hand carts in the right places and know how to move between greens and tee boxes better
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Ted
    
    Nov 3, 2024 at 8:32 pm
    
    You know I hear this all the time, but there is no courses by me I know of that will let you walk unless you’re a member. So get off your, I’m a better person than you because I walk high horse. Slow play is caused by idiots, and assholes.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - 8008
      
      Nov 4, 2024 at 12:29 pm
      
      “Slow play is caused by idiots, and assholes.”
      You just exemplified yourself, didn’t you? Not really helpful with the whole “So get off your, I’m a better person than you” attitude that YOU have.
      You have to give the general public a break. Nobody is out there, not a country club, not the Golf associations, not fellow long-time golfers – nobody is teaching them manners or etiquette, on how to actually play the game and have respect for the game and others.
      You’re the only one with the high horse attitude.
      Getting rid of carts has lots of implications that stretches to how golf courses are designed, where too many courses were built with only carts in mind and “fun” in mind due to the terrain and “views” etc – and just because they can build it – not based on pace of play based on difficulty and the ability for everybody to be able to traverse such terrain in a reasonable amount of time by themselves on a packed course without a caddy while carrying or pushing/pulling their carts
      
      Reply Report comment
    - T
      
      Nov 4, 2024 at 8:38 pm
      
      You would know what it’s like to be on a high horse huh, LOL
      Do you even hear yourself? You are EXACTLY the pompous fool! Sounds to me like you’re the idiot and the bunghole.
      Try walking. See what happens
      Sooner than later you’ll realise half the course are not designed correctly with ALL players in mind. Most of them are built for cart pace.
      All courses should be built for walking in mind, FIRST
      
      Reply Report comment
  - Dave
    
    Nov 6, 2024 at 1:54 pm
    
    All players that use carts are not lazy. I use a cart because I can not walk do to conditions beyond my control. I love to play golf and this is the only way I could play.
    
    Reply Report comment
- Bill
  
  Nov 4, 2024 at 12:07 pm
  
  Excellent suggestion and there is evidence to support your theory. I played a lot of golf during Covid and at the two courses I primarily played only one player was allowed per cart and the rounds were completed in 20-30 less time. The two head pros hated the practice because of the perceived increase of damage to the course but didn’t complain at all about the time savings.
  
  Another huge waste of time I see is players who have to take their gloves off to putt and don’t put them back on until they get out of the cart at the next tee and have already grabbed their club. I don’t believe for a second that a 15-25 handicapper putts any worse while wearing a glove, they just do it because they see the pros do it on tv.
  
  Reply Report comment
J K

Nov 1, 2024 at 4:11 pm

Covid golfers!!

Reply Report comment
- will
  
  Nov 3, 2024 at 7:25 am
  
  this.
  
  Covid has helped more people get into golf but those golfers have not been taught pace of play. I have noticed a big difference of pace of play (and just how crowded my course is) since covid happened.
  
  Reply Report comment
Karsten's Ghost

Nov 1, 2024 at 3:28 pm

Slow play is a US problem. When you consider it from that lens, you find it’s very simple…

First, the US encourages finishing out stroke play for everyone. Put that 14 on your card, Billy. Instead, encourage pickups and forward tees.
Next, the PGA is a terrible influence because everyone thinks that’s how you do it. You get what you watch.
Courses should also be encouraged to keep their grounds where balls are visible. No need for 8″ rough.
Finally, encourage walking whenever possible. Walkers keep the pace even.

There’s more, but this is a start.

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HeftyLefty

Nov 1, 2024 at 2:57 pm

Players have a responsibility first and foremost for pace of play, but, courses need to set expectations. Many set a pace of play that is slow to begin with (see the photo in the article). Several years ago I talked to a ranger that had confronted a group that was 2 holes behind. Their response? We are on pace, which according to the expected pace of play (4 1/2 hours) and the onboard GPS they were. Set the pace of play at 4 hours and enforce it. If this is done the pace of play improves and the course becomes known as one that doesn’t take all day to play.

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John K

Nov 1, 2024 at 2:15 pm

Courses just need to stop stacking groups out 7 minutes a part from each other. A group on the tee and a group in the fairway of every hole is just asking for a traffic jam.

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- Brandon
  
  Nov 1, 2024 at 10:08 pm
  
  Bingo. 12 minute tee time intervals combined with a marshal who actually does his job would solve the problem. Playing mostly in the SF Bay Area, I rarely see marshals on public courses these days.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - T
    
    Nov 2, 2024 at 3:38 pm
    
    So you’re OK to pay higher green fees? Because you’re losing about 1 group per hour of greens fee if you went even from 10 min to 12 min tee times, so clubs have to make it up somewhere, and that would include selling more confections and stuff at higher prices, look at the price of range balls!!!! It’s a joke!!!!
    
    Reply Report comment
D Gillis

Nov 1, 2024 at 11:18 am

Doesn’t make any difference anyway. No one is watching this slow excruciating green reading waltz they call AimPoint!

Get rid of it!!

Reply Report comment
- Uhhhhhj
  
  Nov 2, 2024 at 6:49 pm
  
  Aim point has NO impact on pace of play. Plumb bobing, going to all sides of the flat, it all takes time. Aim point is just one way to do it, and is exactly the same amount of time.
  
  Reply Report comment

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Opinion & Analysis

AVL: My U.S. Amateur local qualifying experience

Published

6 days ago

Jun 5, 2026

Andrew Von Lossow

This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.

I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.

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Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.

With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.

Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!

Club Junkie

Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast

Published

1 week ago

Jun 4, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.

Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.

If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.

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Club Junkie

Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie

Published

2 weeks ago

May 28, 2026

Brian Knudson

On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.

I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.