A video from the European Tour’s social media team of Bryson DeChambeau going through his pre-shot routine has reignited the slow play conversation, and current world No. 2 Brooks Koepka weighed in with some pointed comments.
Speaking to Michael Weston on the Golf Monthly podcast, Koepka called golf’s slow play epidemic “embarrassing,” and that “it’s not hard” to make a decision and hit a shot.
“I just don’t understand how it takes a minute and 20 seconds, or a minute and 15 to hit a golf ball — it’s not that hard,” Koepka said. “It’s always between two clubs: there’s a miss short, there’s a miss long. It really drives me nuts especially when it’s a long hitter because you know you’ve got two other guys or at least one guy that’s hitting before you, so you can do all your calculations, you should have your numbers. Obviously if you’re the first guy you might take 10 extra seconds, but it doesn’t take that long to hit the ball, especially if it’s not blowing 30 [mph].
“If it’s blowing 30 I understand taking a minute and taking some extra time with some gusts, you know changing just slightly. I get that, but if it’s a calm day there’s no excuse. Guys are already so slow it’s kind of embarrassing. I just don’t get why you enforce some things and don’t enforce others.”
An insight into @B_DeChambeau’s process ? pic.twitter.com/WfTyzstkDu
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 27, 2019
DeChambeau’s clip garnered equally negative attention for his discussions with caddie, Matt Cradock prior to a shot during the final round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
“Trust me, we do our due diligence to speed up and do our best,” he said. “We’re not trying to slow anyone down. I’m not trying to slow anyone down. It’s just a part of the process, and unfortunately, the Rules of Golf allow for a certain amount of time, and we’re used it to our fullest potential.”
