Slow play solution, Scheffler’s return, and more

Check out the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors each week as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us a tweet: @golf_com. This week, we discuss Justin Thomas’ letter to tour members, solutions to the PGA Tour’s pace of play issues and Scottie Scheffler’s return.

Justin Thomas sent a letter to his PGA Tour members asking them to provide more access and insight to domestic audiences through pre-tournament and in-game interviews and “better connection with fans.” While this is an important topic, do you think Thomas’ urging will work?

Zephyr Melton, Assistant Editor (@zephyrmelton): Will players be more willing to accept interviews? perhaps. Will it be all additives? Probably not. Like a sideline interview with a football coach before halftime, there isn’t much insight to be gleaned from competitors during the game. This is good for broadcast, but only very slightly.

Jack Hirsh, deputy equipment editor (@JR_HIRSHey): Zephyr’s proper, pre-round and mid-round interviews wouldn’t have had that much of an impact on the broadcast. That said, I think there are a few other things that pros can embrace to better connect with fans both on the court and in broadcasts. I think it starts with more players being willing to use a microphone during a round. Netflix has done this, they had great success with Full Swing, why not bring it to regular broadcast? It also involves things like interacting with fans along the ropes, which not everyone does, but when Bryson DeChambeau called out the guy who stole a golf ball he threw to his kids at the PGA Championship How many fans did he gain? Please say more.

Josh Berhow, Managing Editor (@Josh_Berhow): Playing professional golf is a job for these guys, just like any other job: some take instructions or follow them better than others. I’m sure some people will, but, as Zephyr said, some quick canned answers won’t be the insights the domestic audience wants to hear. Why do so many people love Max Homa, Joel Dahmen or Bryson DeChambeau? This is because they have personality and are not afraid to show it. It’s hard to make. It’s nice to see Thomas and/or the Tour realize it needs to get better, but there’s a larger conversation that needs to be had here, and other issues that need to be addressed (see below).

Speaking of Thomas, one thing people like about TGL (shot clock) is what he said recently is that it may not translate perfectly to speeding up the PGA Tour’s games. “You have to make such a big change to get people’s attention,” he said. “Almost a lot of conversations end the same way; like, what are we trying to accomplish here? Are the rounds going to be 12 minutes faster? Are they going to be 20 minutes faster? It’s hard when people are like, wow, this is awesome. Just a few days ago, CBS analyst Dottie Pepper blasted the Farmers for their slow play in the final round. Killed. What needs to happen for us to get here?

Melton: They’d better find a way to speed up the game because the current pace is untenable. Fans don’t want (and don’t have the free time) to spend nearly six hours a day every weekend watching golf from their couch. It’s time for the PGA Tour to take drastic steps to move faster — or risk losing more eyeballs. Major League Baseball (MLB) proved that drastic measures can be successful when it instituted rule changes in 2023, including a speeded-up game clock. It’s time for golf to follow suit.

Hersh: I hate to say it because I hate this move, but thankfully next week’s Pebble race won’t be a full pro-am. Weekend games can last more than six hours. Thomas is right, there are plenty of guys who bat in games for far less than 45 seconds and still take that long. This shouldn’t even be a plea, but why doesn’t the PGA Tour allow more people to play and issue penalties? You can fine players, but what does $20,000 mean when your prize is $20 million? Tighten your belt and start hitting some balls, because there’s no reason why I can’t get around my home course in three and a half hours, and three amateurs can’t get around my home course in five hours.

bellhau: People have to realize that this hurts the product, and they need the product to be watchable in order to make money from it. We can certainly be stricter on penalties, but it’s also very complex. There are many factors that contribute to slow rounds – too many groups, reachable par 5s, tricky rulings and more. It should be taught at a young age and continued as we grow older. Baseball realized it was losing its audience and adjusted. Golf requires the same, even if it seems extreme.

Netflix has announced that the third season of its “Full Swing” documentary series will premiere on February 25, 2025. Is there anything you’d like to see changed this time?

Melton: My interest in the show has waned significantly since the first season premiered in 2023. . I leave it in the background while I do other tasks throughout the day, but it’s not something I’m locked into every night.

Hersh: I say this more times than I want to, but Zephyr is right again. I’ll watch it, but I’m not as invested in it as I was in the first season. The only thing I’m looking forward to is the addition of Scheffler after his first absence.

bellhau: agree. Still need tiger stuff. And gave me a tour of these guys’ houses, MTV crib style.

Scottie Scheffler will return to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am this week, ending a one-month absence following surgery. Hurry and build your own Vegas route for the 2025 season. What would you put his season win total at?

Melton: I would choose 4.5. Will it be down compared to last year? Yes. Is this still a great season? Yes.

Hersh:3.5. We have to admit how ridiculous his season last year was. This level is unsustainable, but he’s still better than everyone else. Three or four wins is still a great year.

bellhau: I would choose 4.5 and I would crush it.

Bonus question: What’s Scottie Scheffler’s boldest prediction for 2025?

Melton: he No Win a Grand Slam in 2025.

Hersh: He used at least one round of blade putting.

bellhau: He won two majors this year (the Masters won’t be one of them). Also, I predict he won’t be arrested.