"Tim would rather talk about Middle East peace than slow play. He cannot stand the subject."

Adam Schupak files an NY Times item about slow play and besides a stellar quote above from Joe Ogilvie, reminds us that the USGA has a successful checkpoint system they could implement to speed up rounds but are afraid to do so because it lacks PGA Tour support.

Another solution that is gaining supporters is a checkpoint system. Groups are required to reach each checkpoint hole (two to four a round) in the allotted time or within 15 minutes of the group ahead. When a group is out of position at any checkpoint, the players are liable to be penalized. (A warning is issued for the first miss.)“The beauty is it puts the onus strictly on the players and not the officials to come time a group,” said Mike Davis, the executive director of the United States Golf Association.

In the first year of implementation at the 2006 United States Amateur, pace of play improved by 48 minutes a round during the stroke-play portion of the competition. But the U.S.G.A. is not eager to introduce checkpoints to the pro championships it administers.

“It’s such a different policy, and given that we see these players one week a year, we’re hesitant to be the ones to do it,” Davis said.

Only for one reason: the PGA Tour does not support the policy.