Justin Thomas: 'Faster Golf Or Harder Courses? Fans Can't Have Both' On Tour Play
Professional golfer Justin Thomas shares insights on pace of play in professional golf following Atlanta Drive's TGL victory. The discussion centers around implementing shot clocks similar to TGL's 40-second rule on the PGA Tour.
According to Thomas, who has served on the PGA Tour's Player Advisory Council for a decade, meaningful changes to pace of play face several challenges:
- PGA Tour rounds typically exceed 5 hours, while amateur rounds average 4.5 hours
- Professional golfers are competing for their livelihood, requiring more careful decision-making
- TGL's shot clock works well because indoor golf has fewer variables (consistent turf, no wind, automated yardage information)
Thomas highlights two conflicting fan desires:
- Faster play
- More challenging golf courses
He explains: "They like harder golf courses, they like watching us play difficult places, but they want us to play faster, so those two don't go together. You've got to pick and choose your battles."
Man holding medical clipboard
Key challenges in implementing changes:
- Need for drastic measures to create noticeable improvements
- Difficulty in significantly reducing round times
- Limited potential impact (saving only 12-20 minutes per round)
Golfer swinging iron at ball
While Thomas acknowledges the need for improvement, he emphasizes that meaningful change requires careful consideration of what can realistically be accomplished while maintaining the quality of professional golf.