"Wasting time on a golf course simply standing around will only mean more ghost signs on other courses as they see more and more players opt for other pursuits."

M. James Ward attended the USGA’s Pace of Play Symposium and concludes for those not getting the urgency of the issue…like the PGA Tour Commissioner...

Wasting time on a golf course simply standing around will only mean more ghost signs on other courses as they see more and more players opt for other pursuits. That’s not a solid future, it’s a dead end certainty.

Before reaching that point, Ward covers the array of topics involved with trying to speed up play both in tournament golf and at the recreational level, as presented at the event.

The symposium provided reams of information on how and when to time players but when all the smoke clears, the main issue is enforcement. Backing up matters to show action will be taken when warranted. A great example of retreating on slow play took place at the 1981 U.S. Open. Two players from a threesome were deemed responsible for being more than 20 minutes behind the group in front of them. Then USGA Executive Director P.J. Boatwright Jr. slapped two shot penalties on John Schroeder and Forest Fezler. Both men appealed to a four-man Rules committee—of which Boatwright was one—and the committee overturned P.J. by a vote of 4–1. So much for standing behind your key man.

After reading a few stories from the syposium, I'm still stock on the overwhelming data that points to 11+ Stimpmeter speeds as the most evident evil facing pace. Stop this study now and stop the chase for 13 feet!

I  discussed on Morning Drive with Gary Williams.