Because AMs see what the pro's are doing and think they need to replicate them. It's one of the many reasons why golf takes 6 hours on weekends....

Also It's a fun and new way to try to get people talking about golf and the event

Agree fully with your first statement there

Hi AW ... I think you have hit upon one of the biggest challenges and "secrets" in golf today - namely pace of play.

Firstly, regarding your comment about the European Tour and the "shot clock", I do think that it is generally a good idea. The challenge is in how it comes about and is implemented. For example, lets say that someone like Patrick Reed decides to play in Europe again. He is "Captain America" during Ryder Cup time similar to Ian Poulter is the European equivalent.

It would not be a stretch to imagine a more unruly fan making just enough noise or distraction on a tee shot or something similar that would result in the player backing off and having to reset himself for the shot. That in itself would probably take longer than 40 seconds and hence incur a warning and ultimately a stroke penalty. In essence, it is another way for the fans to become part of the tournament in an undesirable way thereby potentially affecting the outcome of the tournament.

Hi again AW! My next thought about your posting is that in regards to many courses and their "obsession" with pace of play is that many of these courses are also "culprits" contributing to the problem themselves.

Where I live, there are quite a few courses in which they "advertise" or post their desired pace of play. For example, one of these courses posts a 4:20 minute pace of play on their scorecard. This averages out to 14 minutes per hole.

The problem is that this course has tee time intervals of 8 minutes, meaning at any one time there can be three groups on a Par 4 hole (1 on the green, another in the fairway and the third sitting on the tee box).

Now, just think about it if one player in each foursome has a bad hole - this is to be expected with the overwhelming majority of recreational golfers. Then this is repeated with different players in the group over the course of 18 holes, meaning that there is a small delay that causes a bit of a back up.

I strongly believe that it is the responsibility of the golf courses to also persuade their players to use the appropriate tees to suit their skill levels. Another part to it is that some courses have a "long" walk between holes, from the preceding green to the next tee box which slows things down despite what could be a nice walk.

It is a challenging topic to be sure, but I do think that the overwhelming goal on the course is to be mindful of others, consider letting a quicker group play through if we are slowed down looking for balls, etc. And play ready golf with continuous putting.

Hi again AW! My next thought about your posting is that in regards to many courses and their "obsession" with pace of play is that many of these courses are also "culprits" contributing to the problem themselves.

Where I live, there are quite a few courses in which they "advertise" or post their desired pace of play. For example, one of these courses posts a 4:20 minute pace of play on their scorecard. This averages out to 14 minutes per hole.

The problem is that this course has tee time intervals of 8 minutes, meaning at any one time there can be three groups on a Par 4 hole (1 on the green, another in the fairway and the third sitting on the tee box).

Now, just think about it if one player in each foursome has a bad hole - this is to be expected with the overwhelming majority of recreational golfers. Then this is repeated with different players in the group over the course of 18 holes, meaning that there is a small delay that causes a bit of a back up.

I strongly believe that it is the responsibility of the golf courses to also persuade their players to use the appropriate tees to suit their skill levels. Another part to it is that some courses have a "long" walk between holes, from the preceding green to the next tee box which slows things down despite what could be a nice walk.

It is a challenging topic to be sure, but I do think that the overwhelming goal on the course is to be mindful of others, consider letting a quicker group play through if we are slowed down looking for balls, etc. And play ready golf with continuous putting.

Hey Dino I think I have to agree with you on both accounts. I can easily see this going sideways for the pro's especially with the crowds and possible interruptions. Even more so now that they allow phones etc. to be on, and so many other possible delays. As for our local courses I totally agree with you. All scorecards tell you that your round shouldn't take longer than 4:10-4:20 and yeah tee people off every 8 minutes. But some holes take a while to walk, and while i don't fish for balls my shots do go awry at times and it can take a bit to find them. People driving carts move up a hole a ton faster than those of us whom walk. And if people are catching my group we always let them through.
And while I understand that a golf course if they can rush people through they can have more golfers in a day. Or get everyone to rent a cart so they can make more money, I myself pay to play a golf course, not pay to be ushered through one. Golf is a mental game and I dont really see how it could be played well if all you have in your head is rush rush rush!!
It is my hope that this shot clock thing goes south and we can go back to playing normal rounds at a normal pace for everyone. :)

I would disagree if this rule were to be put in place. Like you said, the great shots sometimes take a long time to devolp. I feel like this rule would ruin the game of golf and force players to have to hurry their shots. It would be a great idea for ameatures who think that they need to take forever to pull a good shot off, but they ultimately shank it. The only problem is is that it is basically impossible to enforce the rule for basic golfers.

One issue I have with pace of play is courses mixing walkers and riders and not spacing accordingly. My group is always walking and then there will be a group riding behind. Nothing like being felt like you have to rush a shot.
There are courses that are only walking or riding. IMO I think it should be one way or the other. That would help with the pace.
Also players should play ready golf. Sorry for my little rant, just frustrated.

Not real excited about the shot clock idea. The Tour can speed up the game in 2 simple ways in my humble opinion.

1. Keep the caddies off the greens reading putts for the best players in the world.

2. Eliminate the drawn alignment line on the golf ball. A 2 putt par takes 10 minutes marking and realigning the ball multiple times.

Deno

These 2 things waste more time than someone looking over a difficult approach shot. Caddies should tend the flagstick and carry the bag period !!!

Just an added thought. Very impressive play at East Lake Collegiate Tournament. I didn't see one Coach reading greens for their players. Golf is supposed to be an individual sport at all levels. It sadly has become a team sport at the highest level.

Deno