The PGA Tour has announced new rule changes aimed at addressing slow play, including a reduction in fines for certain penalties, which were approved on November 18, 2024.

As part of these changes, the fine for 'Bad Times' has decreased significantly from $50,000 to $10,000, while fines for 'Excessive Shot Times' have dropped from $10,000 to $5,000.

Young also discussed the challenges officials face in monitoring multiple players across 18 holes, noting that they utilize an app to track players' positions and timings.

Importantly, players will not incur fines solely for slow play during major tournaments, as new definitions of being 'Out Of Position' have been established.

The rules committee will continue to analyze pace of play data to identify slow players more effectively, indicating an ongoing commitment to this issue.

Looking ahead, a player-led committee to address slow play may be established, although details are still being discussed.

In addition to these reductions, a new 'Excessive Average Time Stroke Time' penalty will be enforced, targeting players whose average stroke time exceeds the field average by 12 seconds or more after four rounds.

The effectiveness of stroke penalties for slow play has been questioned, with Young explaining the complexity of the penalty system that requires multiple warnings before a stroke is assessed.

This penalty will result in a $50,000 fine for the first offense and $10,000 for subsequent violations, reinforcing the Tour's commitment to improving pace of play.

Gary Young, senior VP of rules and competition, emphasized that fines can escalate for repeat offenders, potentially doubling in subsequent years.

He acknowledged that while the public may view these fines as insignificant, they can be substantial for players, particularly habitual offenders.

To enhance monitoring, Young highlighted the use of ShotLink data, which effectively creates a shot clock system without a physical clock by tracking every player's timing.