Words: Stacey Peters

Golf is a game steeped in tradition, precision, and patience. Yet, one of its most persistent and frustrating issues—slow play—is slowly but surely suffocating the sport at every level. From the polished fairways of world-class tournaments to the weekend hustle of club-level courses, the plague of slow play is impacting players, fans, and the game’s future. It’s time to face the facts: slow play is killing our great game.

The Impact Across All Levels

This isn’t just a problem for women’s golf, men’s golf,or any specific demographic—it’s universal. In professional golf, rounds that stretch beyond five hours frustrate everyone involved. Fans grow weary as they wait for players to execute their shots. Players lose rhythm and focus, which can affect performance. Tournament staff scramble to keep events on schedule, while daylight fades, putting a hard limit on how much golf can be played. At the amateur level, slow play takes the joy out of a round, limits the number of tee times available, and discourages newcomers from taking up the game.

The worst part? No one seems to be addressing the issue with any real urgency.

From the polished fairways of world-class tournaments to the weekend hustle of club-level courses, the plague of slow play is impacting players, fans, and the game’s future.

Professional Golf’s Role in the Problem

Slow play has been a hot topic in professional golf for years. Fans and broadcasters regularly complain about the lack of pace, and many players have publicly voiced their frustrations. Yet, little has been done to tackle the issue head-on.

One of the biggest obstacles is the reluctance of rules officials to penalise players for slow play. Are they worried about upsetting the stars of the game? If so, they’re in the wrong job. Officials have a duty to protect the integrity of the sport, not cater to egos. Until meaningful penalties—like adding strokes to a player’s scorecard—are enforced, slow play will persist. Fines alone won’t cut it. For players earning millions, a financial penalty is just another line on a spreadsheet. But a shot or two added to their scorecard? That’s a consequence they’ll care about.

One of the biggest obstacles is the reluctance of rules officials to penalise players for slow play.

The Trickle-Down Effect on Amateur Golf

Professional golf sets the tone for how the game is perceived and played at every level. When the world’s best players take an eternity to line up putts or assess shots, amateur golfers often mimic these habits, thinking it’s the “right” way to play. This trickle-down effect exacerbates slow play at the club level, where education about pace of play is often lacking.Amateur golfers may not understand the true cost of slow play:

• Frustration Among Players: Long waits on every tee box diminish the enjoyment of the game.
• Reduced Rounds per Day: Public courses, in particular, suffer financially when fewer rounds can be played due to delays.
• Damaged Reputation of the Sport: Golf is already seen by many as slow and inaccessible. Slow play only reinforces this stereotype, discouraging newcomers—especially those who may already feel intimidated by the sport.

The Ripple Effect on Life and Balance

Slow play also has a tangible impact on golfers’ personal lives. For many, golf is a passion balanced with family and work commitments. Rounds stretching to five and a half hours or more make it harder for players to justify their time on the course. This time barrier further alienates potential new golfers, especially younger players with busy schedules.

How Do We Solve the Problem?

While slow play is undeniably a pervasive issue, it is not an unsolvable one. Here are a few strategies that could help at both professional and amateur levels:

1. Stricter Penalties in Professional Golf

The fear of upsetting players shouldn’t stop officials from enforcing rules. Adding strokes to scorecards for repeated slow play violations is likely to have a greater impact than monetary fines.

2. Shot Clocks

Events like the European Tour’s Shot Clock Masters have proven that round times can be reduced without compromising performance. Such innovations should be more widely adopted to set an example for faster play.

3. Course Setups

While challenging courses are part of professional golf, overly harsh setups contribute to slow play. Thoughtful course design can help maintain difficulty while ensuring a reasonable pace.

4. Education at the Amateur Level

Clubs need to educate their members and guests about pace-of-play expectations. This could include guidelines on ready golf, time limits for searching for lost balls, and proper etiquette for letting faster groups play through.

5. Cultural Shift

Encouraging faster play needs to be part of golf’s culture. Peer pressure and education can help players adopt habits that prioritize efficiency without sacrificing enjoyment.

Clubs need to educate their members and guests about pace-of-play expectations.

A Barrier to Growth and Enjoyment

Slow play is more than an inconvenience; it’s a barrier to the growth of golf.It drives away potential players, frustrates existing ones, and tarnishes the sport’s reputation. For golf to thrive in the modern world, the industry needs to prioritize pace of play across all levels.

Professional tours must lead by example, showing that precision and efficiency can coexist. Clubs and courses must foster a culture of awareness, education, and accountability. And officials must be willing to take decisive action, even if it means upsetting a few egos along the way.

The question remains - golf is a game that prides itself on integrity and sportsmanship. Addressing slow play is not just about preserving tradition; it’s about ensuring the sport remains vibrant and appealing for generations to come. The question is: will the golfing community enforce meaningful changes, or will slow play continue to frustrate and alienate players at every level?

It’s time to take a stand. Slow play is killing our great game—but with the right actions, we can revive its pace and its spirit.