Georgie Bingham: I want jeopardy for slow players
A volunteer holds a "Quiet" paddle on the 16th hole during the final round of the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 12, 2023 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Let them play in Phoenix
Golf fans - if you don’t like the fact a golf tournament is just a giant beer throwing contest, don’t tut-tut about it, just turn off! I love the Waste Management Open.
Rickie Fowler reacts with the gallery on the 16th tee during the second round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 01, 2019 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
I love the fact more people go per day than are let into the entire Open Championship week. I love that young frat-boys stand, drink beer and heckle golfers on a par 3 - and I think the golfers love it too - don’t tell me they’re all obliged to turn up that week - most of the big boys pick and choose their calendar for the season and all the big names still go.
“I love the fact more people go per day than are let into the entire Open Championship week.”
I know; golf is sedate and polite and peaceful - but c’mon everyone - let the madness rain down once a year or just turn over to the NFL Superbowl build up if you don’t like the chaos!
Let the pain begin for the slow…
The LPGA have followed the PGA tour’s lead in changing cut lines from 70 plus ties to 65 plus ties from its first full-field tournament in March onwards. This small change will apparently prevent slow play, it helps organisers to group players better at the weekend.
Kevin Na, one of the slowest players in 2022, is Team Captain of Iron Heads GC. Here, he speaks to the media during the LIV Golf Team Championship Press Conference prior to the LIV Golf Team Championship - Miami at Trump National Doral Miami on October 26, 2022 in Doral, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf/via Getty Images)
There have been a number of measures introduced over the years to try and combat slow play but I want shots docked and naming-and-shaming! Merciless, I realise, but I want jeopardy for slow players, not improved sheep herding. The game at all levels has directives in place to prevent slow play; Three minutes not five for ball searching, moving promptly between shots, these applies to every golfer at every level; 40-50 seconds for actual shot-playing seem pretty bloody lenient - what we don’t seem to be seeing is better pace of play or much change except fines for the worst offenders.
“I just don’t see enough implementations of the threat to dock shots. Come on golf! Dock those shots! Bring on the jeopardy! Let’s do this!! ”
I’ve seen first hand for years in football how financial penalties don’t work; if money is little or no object (and at the very top of the game it isn’t in either sport) if hitting the players in the wallet doesn’t hurt, shot docking should do.
Ben Crane, historically one of the slowest players on tour, and his caddie William Lanier wait to tee off during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Spyglass Hill Golf Course on February 03, 2023 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
A quick search on measures brought in to improve player speed produces SO many results; I could list just them and fill my entire word count without comment - but look for players ACTUALLY penalised at top level with anything other than money and the pickings are slim.
Google lists PGA invitee John Catlin at the PGA championship and Maria Fassi at the KPMG Women’s PGA championship, both in 2021 and little else. I just don’t see enough implementations of the threat to dock shots. Come on golf! Dock those shots! Bring on the jeopardy! Let’s do this!!
