• Loading stock data...
Friday, August 8, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

PGA Tour Will Emulate MLB Pitch Clock in Push to Speed Up Golf

Slow play in golf is a huge problem on the PGA Tour. A new policy is being tested that could speed things up. 

Florida Times-Union

The PGA Tour is becoming the latest major sports league to turn to technology for help in modernizing and speeding up its on-course product.

With Major League Baseball seeing fantastic results from the implementation of the pitch clock in 2023, the PGA Tour is testing the use of distance-measuring devices (commonly known as rangefinders) at six events over a four-week period beginning Thursday at the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head and at the Corales Puntacana Championship.

Like baseball, professional golf has long struggled with its pace of play, often resulting in five-plus-hour rounds during tournaments—well above the standard four hours expected for playing 18 holes. During the first season of TGL, the indoor golf league co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, players praised the shot clock, which was new for a major golf competition.

MLB saw its average game time drop by four minutes last year with the pitch clock, after dropping by 24 minutes in 2023, the first year of implementation. The 2024 regular season average game time was two hours, 36 minutes—the league’s lowest figure since 1984.

The PGA Tour does not release specific data around pace of play, although that could change in the future. While the use of rangefinders is welcomed by many, it is not expected to have the same drastic impact that the pitch clock has had on baseball.

Brett Phelps / IndyStar

Cost of Doing Business

On the second-tier Korn Ferry Tour, players over the next three events will be assessed a one-stroke penalty for their first “bad time,” which occurs when a player exceeds the applicable time to play a stroke while being timed. Previously, a one-stroke penalty was not applied until a player was assessed a second “bad time.”

Similar to how MLB tested the pitch clock and other changes in the minor league before implementing them into the majors, the stroking policy could eventually make its way to the PGA Tour. 

That’s key because every stroke a player loses could mean missing the cut—and not getting paid at all for that tournament—or dropping a spot in the final standings, which can result in tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money.

After the testing period ends for all of the above changes, a deep dive into the data could result in the PGA Tour implementing a new pace of play policy as early as 2026.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 6, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Marc Leishman (center) celebrates with his teammates after winning the final round of the LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral.

Trump Golf Courses Secure 2026 Stops on LIV, PGA

For the fifth consecutive year, LIV golf returns to a Trump course.

After Draft-Day Snub and Drama, Sanders to Start Preseason Opener

Multiple injuries mean Sanders gets the nod for the opening preseason game.

US Open Breaks Prize Money Record, Still Leads All Grand Slams

The total 2025 US Open prize money is $85 million.
Mar 11, 2024; Jupiter, Florida, USA; MLB umpire Jen Pawol watches from first base during the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Washington Nationals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium

MLB Calls Up First Female Umpire for Marlins-Braves Doubleheader

Jen Pawol officiated in the minor leagues and MLB spring training.

Featured Today

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Coco Gauff at New York Liberty
August 2, 2025

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.

LAFC’s Record Son Deal Brings Global Buzz and Local Pride

Los Angeles has the largest Korean community in the country.
August 7, 2025

More Dildo Throwing During WNBA Games Leads to Second Arrest

The 18-year-old threw a dildo that hit another fan and his young niece.
DiJonai Carrington
August 7, 2025

This WNBA Trade Deadline Could Be League’s Last Snoozer

A new CBA could give GMs more flexibility.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
August 7, 2025

Smelling Salts Not Banned in the NFL, but Teams Can’t Hand Them..

Teams are banned from supplying smelling salts to their players.
Diana Taurasi
August 6, 2025

Diana Taurasi Warns Against WNBA Work Stoppage 

Taurasi saw several key negotiations in her legendary career.
Italian soccer players
August 6, 2025

Serie A Players Agree to Automatic 25% Pay Cuts If Relegated

The new rule applies to all contracts signed after Sept. 2.
August 6, 2025

WNBA Hits Sophie Cunningham With Fine Over Ref Criticism—Again

Cunningham was fined $500 in July for criticizing referees on a TikTok.