The issue of pace of play in professional golf has been a major talking point this season, and the PGA Tour has taken note of the concerns raised by players and fans. In response, the Tour has made some subtle changes to its regulations regarding slow play, which will come into effect starting in the 2024 season.
Replacing the Observation List
One of the key changes is the replacement of the “Observation List,” which was introduced in 2021 to address the slowest players’ habits. Instead, the Tour will now focus on the Average Stroke Time Infraction:
Average Stroke Time (AST) Infraction
At the end of each tournament, a player’s average stroke time will be compared to the field average. If a player’s average stroke time is 7.0 seconds or more above the field average, they will be deemed to have committed an AST infraction. These infractions will accumulate throughout the season and result in monetary fines. The penalties are as follows:
- 10th AST Infraction: $20,000
- 11-14th AST Infractions: $5,000 each
- 15 or more AST Infractions: $10,000 each
Additionally, players who have less than 10 AST infractions but have a ratio of AST infractions to tournaments played of 50 percent or above will be fined $2,000 per infraction at the end of the season, with a minimum of five tournaments played. The AST infractions accumulated on the PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, and PGA Tour Champions will be combined to determine the total number of infractions for the season. The fines will be pro-rated based on the number of occurrences on each respective tour.
Other Adjustments to the Policy
In addition to the changes regarding AST infractions, the PGA Tour has made four other small adjustments to its pace-of-play policy:
- Removal of Official Warnings: The financial penalty associated with the accumulation of official warnings will be eliminated from the policy.
- Reduced Excessive Shot Times: The time permitted for players who are second or third to play will be reduced from 120 seconds to 100 seconds. The time for the first player to play will remain at 120 seconds, which aligns with the regular timing policy of 50 seconds for the first player and 40 seconds for subsequent players.
- Decreased Number of Timings: The number of timings allowed before a financial penalty is applied will be reduced from 12 to 10. This change reflects the return to a calendar season and accounts for the increased number of events in the 2022/23 super-season.
- Timings Financial Exemption Threshold: In 2022, an exemption from financial penalty was introduced based on a player’s 10-tournament stroke average, set at 5 seconds above the tour average. Under the new policy, players who accumulate 10 timings in a season will be subject to a financial penalty without exception, regardless of their stroke average.
These adjustments have been made to ensure that the pace-of-play policy remains impactful and fair for all players.
Davis Love III, a veteran professional, acknowledges the Tour’s ongoing efforts to address slow play issues. However, he also recognizes the challenge of significantly speeding up play, stating, “The best we’re going to do is speed up 15 minutes…but we have to keep up with the group so it’s fair for everybody.”
Rory Sabbatini, a vocal critic of slow play, has previously stated that fines alone are not enough to incentivize players to speed up. He believes that implementing penalty strokes or disqualifications would be more effective in prompting change.
By: Adam Schupak
Title: PGA Tour Implements New Pace-of-Play Policy for 2024
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/11/14/pga-tour-pace-of-play-policy-2024/
Published Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2023 21:30:06 +0000
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