Vital that golf gets the clock to work..
I CAN’T wait to see how the new Shot Clock Masters tackles slow play in Austria.
I do hope the new format, which places a time restriction on shots, is a success.
The first player in the group has 50 seconds, with 40 seconds per shot for subsequent players, while two time-outs during a round permits twice the allotted time.
It is hoped the move reduces round times by 45 minutes – three-balls should take four hours and two-balls three hours 15 minutes.
I’ve said many times that the increasingly slow play in modern golf must be addressed.
European Tour chief Keith Pelley has shown he has the courage to think outside the box. Encouraging a more compelling spectacle is key to the future success of the sport.
It’s clear the European Tour – unlike the PGA Tour – is eager to affect change.
The main tenets of the game don’t have to be altered. Golf has some great traditions that need protected, but we do have to move with the times.
Slow play must be tackled, because it is now at epidemic level, not only for tour players but weekend golfers too.
Even in retirement, I’ve found my social four ball takes too long. As well as slow play, I believe too many players are making the cut, leading to congested and sluggish third and fourth rounds.
In the USA, the top 70 – plus ties – make the weekend, while in Europe it is 65.
Too often the weekend groups are three-balls and it’s a huge problem. Two-balls are the only way to increase the pace of play.
Add in a clock and you’ll see a vast improvement.
Some might argue TV companies would get two hours less air time which might lead to less advertising and a deflated product value when you come to renewing rights.
It also costs a lot more money to police players on a clock – 27 referees will be employed this week instead of the normal six.
But there’s no doubt two-balls and quicker play would allow us to see more shots and a broader range of players on our screens.
I would cut the weekends to 50 players but still pay down to 70.
With money and pensions in the mix, I’m not sure players in the States would vote for such a move, but there’s no reason why Europe can’t act.
It’s crucial viewers enjoy the unique drama of two players going toe-to-toe on the Sunday.
The top players aren’t in Austria this week – it’s a week before the US Open after all – but I’ll be keeping an eye on how our own Gavin Moynihan gets on.
And we might also just be witnessing the birth of something that could become the norm.