Players Keep Forgetting The Slow Play Discussion Is About The Fans...

Since PGA Tour executives and players do not actually pay to attend and watch their product, the slow play discussion has always been a mystery to them. When a player has turned up to watch this year to watch, he was astounded at what he saw.

But as Randall Mell notes in this GolfChannel.com rant, we all grasp that some slow play issues can’t be resolved when caused by distance gains, longer courses and faster greens. But the slow pokes exposed at select times by things like Edoardo Molinari’s tweet, and who everyone on the various tours know take their sweet time, could be addressed for the fans.

McDowell, as usual, is probably right about the overall numbers, but this is more about the viewing experience, about the frustration fans feel watching a professional take three minutes to make a two-second swing with his group a hole behind. That’s what this is all about.

“Until sponsors and TV tell the commissioner you guys play too slow and we’re not putting money up, it’s a waste of time talking about, because it’s not going to change,” Scott said.

He’s right, too. The answer may ultimately lie beyond what a player police force can do, but at least Molinari’s willing to lead a revolt that could lead there.