More players could be penalised under new LPGA slow play rules as calls come for green-reading technique to be banned

Time wasters in golf could be in for a shock, with new rules to penalise slow play and a tiresome technique used by the likes of Adam Scott panned.

When he was put on the clock at the Australian Open last December, Cam Smith was quick to point the finger at the “common denominator” who was playing with him in two consecutive events when officials clamped down.

Smith was alluding to rising star Elvis Smylie, who remained adamant that it was a “ group thing, it’s not an individual thing”.

But under increasing pressure to end the scourge of slow play, LPGA officials have decided it is on the individual and are set to impose stroke penalties for players who take as little as six seconds outside of the allotted time to play a shot.

Australian star Cam Davis called for officials to be “more penal” against slow players before he finished in a tie for fifth at last week’s $32m Pebble Beach Pro-Am, an event that coincided with the opening of the LPGA season where compatriot Minjee Lee shot a final round 10-under to finish third.

A memo sent to LPGA players about the new rulings stated players would be penalised one shot for exceeding the allotted 40 seconds for a shot by six-15 seconds and two shots for taking an extra 16 seconds or more.

And huge Kudos to Nelly and Charlie Hull (among others) for speaking out about slow play issue. The best player in the world saying it is a problem is a HUGE reason these are implemented. https://t.co/AN6achTCjR

— Monday Q Info (@acaseofthegolf1) February 5, 2025

Statistics from 2024 showed that under the new rules, 23 players would have received a one-shot penalty and another eight the two-shot hit, instead of the 22 fines handed out.

“We believe this is a meaningful step in addressing the challenge and will continue evaluating solutions as needed,” the memo said.

“With that said, our intention is to improve the pace of play, not impose penalties or fines.”

Women’s world No.1 Nelly Korda has been strong in her call for action on pace of play, while 2009 US Open champ Lucas Glover called for the AimPoint green reading technique used by players, including Australian Adam Scott, to be “banned” because of its impact.

“Statistically, (AimPoint) hasn’t helped anybody make more putts since its inception on the PGA Tour,” Glover said on the Lucas Glover radio show.

“It needs to be banned. It takes forever.”

🚨🐢👆Lucas Glover on @SiriusXMPGATOUR: “Aim point statistically hasn’t helped anybody make more putts since its inception on Tour + it’s also rude to be up near the hole stomping around, figuring out where the break is in your 🦶. It needs to be banned…”pic.twitter.com/wGOW6W88Hi

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) February 4, 2025

Before his bold showing at Pebble Beach, Davis said golf had become “slower” with so much more money and crucial points on various tours at stake.

“It feels like golf is definitely getting slower. I always try to make sure I’m not the problem in groups I play in,” he said

“So sometimes I find myself rushing if other guys are going slow. I find it affects me to have slower guys around you, in behind you or in front of you.

“Times for rounds have gotten longer, but courses are getting harder, pin locations are getting more difficult. It’s taking more time finding our yardages, reading greens because they are getting faster.

“The only way it’s going to get faster is if they get more penal with how they time people.”

The new LPGA rules will come into force at the $4m Ford Championship in Arizona starting March 27.

Originally published as More players could be penalised under new LPGA slow play rules as calls come for green-reading technique to be banned