LPGA Tour to introduce huge slow play penalties

The LPGA Tour has sent a memo to players, briefing them on huge slow play penalties that are set to be introduced this season.

It was shared on X by the Monday Q Info account and confirms that players will face fines and stroke penalties.

As per the new guidelines, which will come into effect from March 27, fines will be dished out for taking up to five seconds over time, while exceeding the time limit by six to 15 seconds will result in a one-stroke penalty. A delay of 16 seconds or more will result in a two-stroke penalty.

There will, however, be no changes to the LPGA’s warning system, or rules for banking of time on a hole, excessive shot timing, target timing and fines doubling in the following year.

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Meanwhile, the circuit has updated its ten second allowance guidelines.

The first player to hit on par-4s and par-5s will no longer receive an additional ten seconds – except on reachable par-4s – while the first to hit on par-3s, approach shots, and putts will still receive the extra ten seconds.

“Under the previous policy in 2024, 22 athletes received a fine and nine received a two-stroke penalty,” it read.

“If this new policy had been in place last season, 23 players would have received a one-stroke penalty, and eight would have received a two-stroke penalty.

“We believe this is a meaningful step in addressing this challenge and will continue evaluating additional solutions as needed. With that said, our intention with these adjustments is to improve the pace of play – not to impose penalties and fines.

“These changes will take effect from March 27 at The Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass.”

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Slow play has plagued the professional game in recent years, but the LPGA Tour appears the first to attempt to clamp down on it.

Tour star Charley Hull reignited the debate in November when the Englishwomen called for perennial offenders to have their tour cards taken off them.

“It’s ridiculous,” Hull said. “I feel sorry for the fans.”

World No.1 Nelly Korda was among the army of players to back Hull and urged the LPGA to hand out the subsequently announced penalties.

“I just think it really drags the game down. I think that it really, really needs to change. Players just need to be penalised.”

The issue reared its head in the women’s game again in November when Carlotta Ciganda, a well-known slow player, was slammed for ‘cheating’.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.