Image Cedit: The Golfing Gazette
Legendary swing coach Butch Harmon, best known for guiding Tiger Woods to eight major titles, has called on golf’s governing bodies to impose stricter penalties, specifically, two-shot penalties, for slow play in elite tournaments.
Renewed Debate after Tour Championship
The debate reignited after criticism of Patrick Cantlay’s deliberate pace during the final round of the Tour Championship in Atlanta. Many fans and analysts viewed the approach as excessive. Harmon argued that modest fines won’t change behavior, saying, “These guys don’t care about money… if you put two shots on them, it could cost them making a cut, it could cost them winning a tournament, it could cost them keeping their card.”
A Hard-Hitting Proposal
Speaking on his “Son of a Butch” podcast alongside his son Claude, Harmon stressed the need for stronger deterrents. “I blame the Tour. I 100 percent blame all the Tours because if they wanted to stomp out slow play, they could,” he said. He added bluntly, “But if you put two shots on these guys… hurry the hell up, damn it!”
Tommy Fleetwood Unfazed by Slow Play
Harmon also recalled that not all players are affected the same way. He shared a conversation with Tommy Fleetwood, who played alongside Cantlay during the Tour Championship. Fleetwood said the slow pace did not bother him, explaining, “I’m just in my world and he could be as slow as he wanted because I was still going to whip his butt!”
Growing Support for Stronger Measures
Harmon’s comments add weight to the growing calls from players such as Cam Davis and Rory McIlroy, who have suggested that shot penalties, or even implementing a shot clock, could be more effective than fines in addressing slow play. McIlroy, however, cautioned that any changes must preserve the unique rhythm and traditions of the game.
