On November 18, the PGA Tour’s Player Advisory Council (PAC) approved several controversial changes aimed at enhancing competition and addressing the pace of play, set to take effect in 2026. While the tour’s management believes these adjustments will improve the game, not everyone agrees. Among the most outspoken critics is Hank Haney, Tiger Woods’s former swing coach, whose blunt three-word response to a tweet about the PGA’s slow-play penalties has grabbed attention.
Hank Haney’s Brief But Strong Critique of PGA Tour Changes
Hank Haney, the 69-year-old coach who worked with Tiger Woods from 2004 to 2010, is far from impressed with the PGA Tour’s latest moves. Haney, who helped Woods win 34 PGA Tour titles and eight major championships, is no stranger to the inner workings of professional golf. While he hasn’t penned a long diatribe against the changes, his response to Ryan Ballengee’s tweet sums up his sentiments perfectly.
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Ballengee, the owner of Golf News Net, voiced frustration over the PGA Tour’s handling of slow play, suggesting that the solution lies in penalizing slow players with strokes, not fines. He argued that publicly penalizing slow players would put a spotlight on the issue and force a cultural shift in the game. Haney’s response to this tweet? A simple yet telling “Very good point.”
Very good point https://t.co/SL0WlawWqo
— Hank Haney (@HankHaney) November 20, 2024
Tiger Woods Once Pushed for Stroke Penalties for Slow Play
Haney’s critique aligns with a sentiment Tiger Woods expressed over a decade ago. In 2012, Woods famously suggested that shot penalties should be applied for slow play, saying, “If you get a warning, you get a penalty. I think that would speed it up.” While Woods has remained involved in the sport, notably as a player-director, it’s unclear how much influence he has had in the recent decisions by the PAC.
Interestingly, Woods’s past comments suggest he could have backed Haney’s perspective. Even though Woods isn’t part of the PAC, the shared opinion between the two figures underscores the disconnect between the tour’s leadership and the players who feel the current pace-of-play issues have not been adequately addressed.
Why the PGA Tour’s Latest Changes May Fall Short
The PGA Tour’s new changes go beyond just tackling slow play. The proposed adjustments aim to increase competitiveness and reduce the time spent on the course. However, critics argue that these changes do little to solve the root problem.
Reduced Field Sizes Won’t Necessarily Speed Up Play
One key proposal involves reducing the field size at tournaments, which, on paper, could reduce the number of golfers teeing off and thus shorten rounds. However, this solution is not a guaranteed fix. There’s no indication that players would feel an additional urgency to speed up their game just because there are fewer competitors.
Fines for Slow Play: A Missed Opportunity
The PGA Tour has relied heavily on fines to address slow play, but as some players and critics have pointed out, fines are simply not enough. In fact, the proposal to penalize players for having an “Excessive Average Stroke Time” doesn’t seem to address the problem effectively. While fines for violating this rule could reach up to $10,000, there is no clear indication that this approach will change player behavior on the course.
Players Are Still Unimpressed with the PGA Tour’s Slow-Play Solution
Several players have voiced strong opinions against the tour’s slow-play policies. Major winner Lucas Glover referred to the new proposals as “an insult to our intelligence,” suggesting that they are inadequate in tackling the actual issue. In addition, LPGA Tour’s Charley Hull has also called for harsher penalties, indicating that this frustration is not limited to the PGA Tour alone.
Will the PGA Tour’s Slow-Play Plan Actually Improve the Game?
The biggest question surrounding these new changes is whether they will effectively tackle slow play. Although the PAC is taking steps to address it, critics argue that the changes lack the teeth necessary to force players to move faster. Stroke penalties, as Haney and Woods have suggested, could be a far more effective tool in curbing the growing issue of slow play in professional golf.
FAQ Section
Q: What are the proposed changes to the PGA Tour for 2026? A: The PGA Tour has proposed reducing field sizes and instituting stricter penalties for slow play, including fines and stroke penalties.
Q: Why is Hank Haney critical of the PGA Tour’s slow-play rules? A: Haney believes that the current measures, like fines, will not be effective in speeding up play. He supports more severe penalties, such as stroke penalties, for slow players.
Q: Did Tiger Woods support the idea of penalizing slow play? A: Yes, Tiger Woods has previously advocated for shot penalties for slow play, a stance he took as early as 2012.
Q: What is the main issue with the PGA Tour’s slow-play solutions? A: Critics argue that the proposed changes, including reducing field sizes and imposing fines, do not sufficiently address the root causes of slow play or encourage players to speed up their game.
