LPGA Strengthens Pace-of-Play Policy with Immediate Fines and Reduced Time Limits

The LPGA is set to implement a revised pace-of-play policy for 2027, featuring stricter penalties following a stagnation in playing speed during the 2026 season.

The updates were communicated to players by the Pace of Play Committee at a Tuesday meeting held during The Annika tournament in Belleair, Florida, which is the LPGA’s penultimate event of the year.

The new policy introduces additional financial penalties to enforce faster play.

Previously, players exceeding the time limit by one to five seconds received two warnings before a fine. Under the revised rules, warnings are eliminated, and fines are imposed immediately. For delays of six to 15 seconds, a one-stroke penalty remains, but now includes a fine. Similarly, delays of 16 seconds or more still result in a two-stroke penalty, accompanied by a fine.

Since the policy’s implementation in 2025, the LPGA has monitored its effectiveness, identifying three key outcomes: initial improvement in pace of play followed by a recent plateau, an increase in warnings and penalties, and a 12 percent rise in the number of holes timed.

In 2025, under the previous system, there were three one-stroke and two two-stroke penalties. This year, the numbers have risen to five one-stroke and two two-stroke penalties. Notably, recent incidents include two-stroke penalties for Carlota Ciganda and Yealimi Noh at the Buick LPGA Shanghai.

Top players Nelly Korda and Charley Hull, known for their popularity and quick play, expressed support for the policy changes during discussions at The Annika.

When asked for their opinions, Korda stated, “I’m a big fan. Anything to get the game a little faster for us players, for fans, for everyone, I think they’re doing a really good job. I mean, at the end of the day, no one wants to be out here for five-plus hours. No player wants to. Nobody wants to watch it. I think we’re just moving in the right direction.”

In addition to the new fines, the policy includes two other adjustments: the threshold for fining based on timed holes is lowered to 35 from 40, and the allowed time per shot is reduced from 70 to 60 seconds.

An LPGA spokesperson emphasized the commitment to improvement, stating, “Pace of play matters to our players, our fans and our partners, and we committed to reviewing our policy every year to make sure it’s working. After a close look at this season’s data and conversations with our players, we’re strengthening the policy for 2027 with tighter time limits and stronger, earlier consequences for players who exceed them. Going forward, we’ll keep measuring, keep listening to our players and keep adjusting as we work to further improve pace of play.”

Following The Annika event, the LPGA season will wrap up the following week with the CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples.

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