PGA Tour Proposes Four Solutions to Tackle Slow Play Crisis - Times News Global
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PGA Tour Proposes Four Solutions to Tackle Slow Play Crisis

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Pga Tour Slow Play Solutions 2025

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — The PGA Tour on Wednesday unveiled four potential solutions to address the growing issue of slow play, a problem that has frustrated fans and disrupted tournament broadcasts. The announcement came during a media briefing at the 2025 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where officials acknowledged widespread complaints about the pace of play.

“We’ve heard the fans loud and clear,” a PGA Tour spokesperson said. “Slow play is a priority issue, and we’re committed to finding effective solutions.” The Tour plans to implement rule adjustments aimed at improving both the pace of play and the overall viewing experience, based on feedback from a fan survey conducted last year.

Among the proposed solutions are stricter enforcement of time limits, reduced field sizes, and adjustments to tournament formats. The Tour has already experimented with downsizing tournament fields, but early results from three full-field events showed minimal impact on pace. For example, the final group at The American Express took 5 hours and 40 minutes to complete their round, while the Farmers Insurance Open saw similar delays, with the final threesome finishing in 5 hours and 30 minutes.

Jordan Spieth, a prominent PGA Tour player, emphasized the importance of fan input and broadcast considerations. “The Tour is doing a lot of polling with fans and talking to networks,” Spieth said. “We’re trying to figure out how to create the best product, whether it’s on the course or through new initiatives like TGL, to reach a broader audience.”

CBS analyst Dottie Pepper echoed the sentiment, calling for greater respect among players. “We need a new word for this issue: respect — for your fellow competitors, for the fans, for broadcasts,” Pepper said. “It’s got to get better.”

The PGA Tour’s efforts to curb slow play come amid broader changes to its membership structure and tournament formats. While the solutions are still in the testing phase, officials remain optimistic that these measures will enhance the sport’s appeal and address one of its most persistent challenges.

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