PEBBLE BEACH, California — The PGA Tour is thoroughly evaluating the potential introduction of rangefinders and the public disclosure of rule violations as part of an extensive review focused on enhancing the pace of play and various other aspects of the game. This initiative has emerged from insightful feedback gathered from a survey involving 50,000 golf enthusiasts.
During a recent media session, officials were deliberately vague about the specifics of the “Fan Forward” program, a project launched by Commissioner Jay Monahan last year. More detailed revelations are anticipated at the forthcoming Players Championship in March. The discussion in Pebble Beach reinforced Monahan’s message from late last year that “everything is on the table” as the PGA Tour prepares for a series of transformative changes.
Andy Weitz, the tour’s chief marketing and communications officer, emphasized the prospective growth and evolution of the tour, suggesting that 2025 could be viewed as a crucial turning point in its development. He noted that the substantial investment of $1.5 billion from Strategic Sports Group, with possibilities for even greater funding, would facilitate this growth. Fenway Sports Group, a key player in SSG, has Theo Epstein as a senior advisor. Epstein, previously the general manager for the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, has been involved in recent Major League Baseball modifications like adopting a pitch clock and expanding base sizes to encourage more stealing.
The idea of implementing a shot clock to enhance the pace of play has gained traction, especially given that recent final rounds featuring threesomes have taken approximately 5.5 hours to complete. In an effort to explore these changes, the tour established a study group comprised of three players—Sam Burns, Jhonattan Vegas, and Adam Schenk—who will likely present their insights to the Players Advisory Council, which consists of 16 members and has become increasingly active.
At present, rangefinders—devices for measuring distances—are only permitted at the PGA Championship. The tour aims to identify a suitable event in the schedule for testing this technology to assess its effectiveness in expediting play by quickly providing players with necessary yardages. Gary Young, senior vice president of rules and competition, indicated that trials might occur during signature events that feature limited fields or at team competitions like the Zurich Classic.
The suggestion of publicly disclosing violations represents a significant shift from past practices of the PGA Tour. Traditionally, the tour has kept fines, disciplinary actions, and pace of play violations under wraps, believing this would minimize distractions. However, fan feedback has highlighted a demand for greater transparency. PGA Tour President Tyler Dennis acknowledged this pivotal moment for reevaluation.
Weitz mentioned that there has been minimal opposition to these proposals among players. Over breakfast, Max Homa expressed his support for accountability and emphasized the importance of providing fans with an enhanced experience.
Furthermore, initiatives aimed at expediting play include establishing a video review center at the new PGA Tour Studios in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. All these proposals stem from the “Fan Forward” initiative, which evolved from a fan council launched in 2017. An external agency assisted the tour in surveying 50,000 fans through a series of three rounds.
Key discussion points from the surveys included:
– Enhancements in broadcasting to feature more shots, substantial outcomes (like the 36-hole cut), and fewer tap-ins.
– Competition modifications, which may involve revisiting the Tour Championship format; proposed changes might be submitted to the policy board as early as March, depending on player feedback. Plans for adjustment could roll out as early as 2025 or potentially be delayed to 2026 for further dialogue.
– Player engagement and visibility, focusing on the interests of fans aged 18-34, who prioritize personality both on and off the course over competitive performance.
– Improvement of the fan experience on-site, drawing lessons from other sports, particularly since golf courses, unlike other venues, often do not allow for a single vantage point to view the entire field of play. One parallel drawn was with Formula One racing.
In recent years, the tour has already implemented player-driven changes, including introducing $20 million signature events with smaller fields and reducing player counts for the FedEx Cup from 125 to 100 by 2026.
As these transformative discussions progress, Weitz concluded, “If the voice of the fans is at the center of what we do, we’re on the right path.”
