LPGA Introduces Stricter Pace-of-Play Rules to Combat Slow Rounds

The new policy, effective in late March, enforces fines and stroke penalties to speed up play and enhance the fan experience.

The LPGA's updated pace-of-play policy will go into effect at the Ford Championship in Arizona from March 27-30, 2025, with similar enforcement starting on the Epson Tour in April.
The revised rules impose fines for delays of 1-5 seconds, a one-stroke penalty for delays of 6-15 seconds, and a two-stroke penalty for delays exceeding 16 seconds.
Key changes include removing the additional 10-second allowance for first players hitting on par-4 and par-5 holes, except for reachable par-4s, while other situations retain the extra time.
The policy was developed with player input and aims to address long-standing frustrations from fans and players about excessively slow rounds, which often exceeded five hours.
Prominent players, including world No. 1 Nelly Korda, have expressed strong support for the changes, emphasizing their potential to improve golf's entertainment value and competitive flow.