The LPGA Tour is implementing a new pace-of-play policy in response to player and fan feedback, with the intent of better enforcing rules already put into place to regulate pacing of tournament play.
The policy will go into effect on the LPGA Tour and Epson Tour. The policy starts on the LPGA Tour on March 27 at the Ford Championship in Arizona, and the Epson Tour will adopt the policy starting April 25 at the IOA Championship.
The pace-of-play policy is designed to keep golfers moving when they fall behind the pace of the groups in front of them -- a term known as "out of position" -- or slowing up the pace of the round with their actions.
Under the current policy, “a player in a group which is out of position may be penalized for unreasonable delay if: a. the player takes more than 60 seconds to play one shot, including putts, and/or b. the players exceeds the maximum allotted amount of time for the total strokes timed on a given hole by more than 10 seconds.” Players get 30 seconds of allotted time per shot for a hole's par, and they can use that how they'd like. They get additional time if they need more shots than par. Playing a hole using 1-10 seconds more time than allotted could result in a fine, while a two-shot penalty could apply if a player goes 11 or more seconds beyond the allotted hole time.
Under the new policy, a group that is out of position, or in the case of the lead group over its time par (the prescribed pace set by the LPGA for a lead group), will be issued one warning per round by a Rules Official unless an official deems the group to be so far out of position that a warning is not appropriate. Groups may be timed without receiving their warning if they are on the last three holes of their round.
A player can be timed at any time during a round and for any stroke, targeting players who are "not helping to improve the groups’ position on the course due to their actions and/or pace of play."
When a player is being timed, they have to complete the hole within a certain amount of total time from when it is deemed their turn to hit. How much time a player has depending on the par of the hole and their position in hitting order. For example, under the new policy, players who hit first on a par 3, on their group's approach shots and first putts get an additional 10 seconds to play compared to their peers. The new policy removes that extra 10 seconds for being first to hit on non-drivable par 4s and par 5s.
If a player is being timed, they have the right to use their time as they wish. However, if a player has a hole time that is over the allotted limit, then they are penalized by the LPGA. If a player's time is 1-5 seconds over, they'll receive a fine from the LPGA. If a player's time is 6-15 seconds over the limit, they're penalized one shot on the spot. For times 16 seconds and more over the limit, a two-stroke penalty will be automatically applied. Players will also face double fines in subsequent years in which they violate the policy, encouraging players to speed up or face steeper fines.
According to the LPGA, this policy would have led to 23 one-stroke penalties and eight two-stroke penalties in 2024. Instead, in 2024, the LPGA fined 22 players for slow play, while nine players received two-shot penalties.
“As a global sports and entertainment property, the LPGA conducted a thorough review of the current pace of play policy to evaluate and address an issue that has been a source of frustration for players and fans alike. This new policy, which was player-led and developed through an established Pace of Play Committee, was created in what we believe is in the best interest of our brand, fans and the overall LPGA watching experience,” said LPGA Player President, Vicki Goetze-Ackerman.
“Based on a data-backed approach and direct player input, this policy now acts as a stronger deterrent, ensuring players take warnings seriously before penalties become necessary. Our overall intention is to improve the pace of play on Tour, and these updates mark a significant step toward creating a more efficient and enjoyable competitive environment, benefiting both our Members and our fans.”
