PGA Tour makes big change to slow play and fines for golfers from 2026 onwards

The PGA Tour Policy Board has revealed an immense change to its slow play policy and fines for all golfers. The tour has decided to give players more time, and the fines for bad times shrank to $10,000 from $50,000 and fines for excessive shot times have been reduced to $5,000 from $10,000.

This policy will be implemented by the tour from 2026 onwards, and one of the most prominent golfing accounts on X (formerly Twitter), Monday Q Info, shared a screenshot of this new policy. They shared the post with a caption:

"HOLY SH*T. THEY ARE ADJUSTING THE PACE OF PLAY TO GIVE THE PLAYERS.... MORE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND THE FINES....LESS!!!!!!!!!"

Following are the proposed adjustments to benefit players:

• Amend the definition of Out of Position to recognize that if a group is on a par-3 hole and the group in front is still on the teeing ground of the next hole, they are in good position.
• Adjust the beginning of the timing process to provide players additional time to find a fixed reference point and pace back to their ball.
• Players will no longer be subject to fines solely as a result of Timings, Bad Times, and Excessive Shot Times during the majors.
• Reduce the fine structure of Bad Times from $50,000 to $10,000, in addition to reducing the Excessive Shot Times fine from $10,000 to $5,000 (with subsequent offenses dropping to $10,000), which brings the financial penalties back into scale.
• Remove rounds from the Average Stroke Time calculation for players who play more than 9 holes in a group of 2 when groups of 3 have been scheduled.

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Latest changes proposed by the PGA Tour Policy Board

The PGA Tour Policy Board met recently and has proposed a few changes to the structure and some other aspects.

Following are the latest changes proposed by the PGA Tour Policy Board:

• The policy board has proposed to adjust the maximum number of players in a starting field to be reduced from 156 to 144, with a reduction to 120 or 132 as required by circumstances such as daylight.
• They have proposed the FedEx Cup exemption status be changed to 100 from 125, with an additional category for golfers finishing 101-125.
• The board wants to reduce the number of PGA Tour cards offered from the Korn Ferry Tour to 20 from 30.
• Eliminate or reduce the Open qualifying spots at regular season events with fewer than 144 players.
• Reallocation of spots in the field, which is currently used for restricted sponsor exemptions (2 PGA Tour members and 2 DP World Tour/Korn Ferry Tour/Q-school category).
• Changes in the FedEx Cup points distribution with an increase in Runner-up points and a decrease in points for position 11 and beyond with a decrease in Signature Event points in position 7 and beyond.

The Policy Board has proposed these changes, which will be presented for a vote on November 18 for the implementation from the 2026 season onwards.