The PGA Tour has a growing issue with slow play, and it’s one that extends beyond just the professional ranks.
Golfers across the world – pros and amateurs alike – are feeling the impact of longer rounds, especially in three-ball formats.
On a recent episode of his podcast, Dan Rapaport shared his views on the issue and pointed to steps the PGA Tour is taking to address it.
The use of rangefinders is one idea that appears to be gaining momentum.
Rangefinders expected to be permitted on PGA Tour from 2026 season
The PGA Championship and LIV Golf have both allowed the use of rangefinders for a while.
But the PGA Tour had gone in a different direction over the years, and many players and caddies have spoken out against it.
The PGA Tour trialled the use of rangefinders at the RBC Heritage Championship in April, through to May’s Truist Championship, and it looks as if the rule may now be changed going into next season.
Rapaport explained how the use of them wasn’t significantly improving pace of play in general but did make a considerable difference for certain specific shots.
On his podcast, the golf insider said: “The Tour is continuing to move down this path to switch to rangefinders. I don’t think it made a massive difference with pace of play but the players liked it.”
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That is something that is absolutely correct. Because pace of play is so often about perception.
Even if rounds still take the same time, it’s how slow it feels when you’re out there. However, the numbers did point to a tangible difference on certain shots.
He went on to say: “The interesting part about the rangefinders is that the players felt that it was faster, which is almost as important as whether it’s actually faster, placebo is very real. Players really liked it, so I expect to see this approved. From what I gather the signs seem to be pointing toward rangefinders on tour from 2026.”
Other potential rule changes PGA Tour could consider to tackle slow play
Lucas Glover has been more and more vocal on this topic in recent years, frequently offering his own views on a complex issue touching every level of the game.
The American golfer sees the problem as one that even casual players deal with – and believes fixing it could have a ripple effect in both professional and amateur golf.
Policies in sports can be unforgiving at times, whether due to a lack of flexibility or a failure to adapt to shifting trends in the sport.
But simple decisions can have a profound impact. Rangefinders being made permanent on Tour being one of those, while dropping honorary observers is another change that should be evaluated.
Promoting better rules education among players and enforcing time penalties for those who repeatedly slow down play are also realistic options.
One measure that could have an instant impact on pace of play and how it is perceived would be to introduce walking marshals beside players, especially given the dramatic increase in fans looking to follow the game.
One of his other suggestions, banning Aim Point – a system players use to read greens based on feel and visuals of the slope – would be a far more controversial rule change.
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