I'm Not Sure Which is the Worse Buzz: FedExCup Format or Slow Play

by Adam Fonseca on Sep 23, 2009 1:18 PM EDT

...the fact that there is still a buzz around how the FedEx Cup should be restructured, or the fact that the PGA is thinking about fining players for slow play?

Easily two of the hottest topic this golf season, it seems as though nobody in golf can talk about anything else. To be frank, I think this has everything to do with how unexciting most of the tournaments have been this season (with the exception of the British Open and PGA Championship) and how golf someone wants to "fix" everything.

In terms of fining players for slow play, the Associated Press reported today on the story:

The tour's new pace-of-play policy began in 2003, and one of the components was a $20,000 fine for the 10th time during the season that a player was put on the clock.

In a policy change for this year that was not announced, the tour now is going after repeat offenders.

According to the [PGA] player handbook, anyone put on the clock 10 times for a $20,000 fine will face double the amount -- $40,000 -- if he gets put on the clock 10 times the following year.

And after that, the amount continues to double. If a player is timed on 10 occasions a third straight year, the fine goes to $80,000.

First of all, does anyone really know how many times a player is put on the clock in one season (other than that player, of course)? Furthermore, does slow play really affect the play of other professional golfers? These guys are playing for thousands (and in some cases, MILLIONS) of dollars every week. Can anyone blame them for maybe wanting to take a few extra seconds to hit an approach shot around a tree and over a lake?

Earlier this season, we saw how Paddy Harrington basically lost a golf tournament to Tiger Woods after being put on the clock by tournament officials for slow play. While I still believe that this was merely a coincidence, some can argue that he act of putting Paddy on the clock did more harm than good... so what was actually accomplished here?

Increasing fines for PGA Tour players for slow play is not the answer here. What would happen if this "repeat offender" just so happens to be at the bottom of the season money list? Does the PGA think he will be able to afford an $80,000 fine?

I thought the purpose of a professional sport association was to encourage more participants and world-class athletes to join... not push them away.

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Comments

Ease up – they haven’t played the first shot of The Tour Championship and you’re already griping. Wait until Monday to fire these shots. Five guys have a chance to win the big prize – unlike the two previous years. Let it play out and THEN decide if it sucks that bad.

Why take all the fun out of watching 30 top golfers before they even tee it up ?

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Sep 23, 2009 1:23 PM EDT reply actions

I completely disagree with you on this one, CD. In the rules of golf, the USGA states that golfers are expected to keep reasonable pace. Mess with the bull, you get the horns. It’s why so many people made fun of Who Wants to Be A Millionaire – they had infinite time to answer a question they may never get.

Email me any comments or questions at ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com.

by Ryan Ballengee on Sep 23, 2009 2:43 PM EDT reply actions

Earlier this season, we saw how Paddy Harrington basically lost a golf tournament to Tiger Woods after being put on the clock by tournament officials for slow play. While I still believe that this was merely a coincidence, some can argue that he act of putting Paddy on the clock did more harm than good… so what was actually accomplished here?

Paddy has now made a double or worse in 12 consecutive tournaments. At the time, being put on the clock was used by many (though never by Harrington) as a cop out for the shiteous shot the took him out of contention at the Bridgestone. However, as we saw the following week at the PGA and again in the 4th round at the BMW two weeks ago, something is causing Paddy to throw up all over himself at key moments.

I’m guessing it has more to do with his swing changes and not feeling entirely comfortable over certain types of shots (as well as some misfortune – bad lies, short sided, etc.), but the Paddy of ‘09 is not the Paddy of ’07-’08 who had ice water in his veins.

With that said, I do think slow play needs to be addressed, but the final group on a Sunday is obviously not holding anyone up (other than maybe the TV viewer). Tiger looking at a birdie putt six different ways usually adds to the excitement we get moments later as that putts rolls towards the cup. We forgive Tiger because he is Tiger and the putts usually drop.

On the other hand, Ben Crane taking forever to pull a club on the 12th hole on Saturday when he’s T-43 and hoping he can pull it together and backdoor a top 25 is outrageous. They should just send him (and other notorious slow players) off last in every tournament. It’s not like he’s ever in contention anyway! ;-)

by MattSpence on Sep 24, 2009 8:21 AM EDT reply actions