Howell plays down slow play issues

David Howell, chairman of the European Tour’s Players’ Committee, does not feel slow play is that much of an issue in golf.

The 42-year-old has been involved in discussions about new events that will be played in 2018, including the World Super 6 Perth, GolfSixes and the Belgian Knockout, which debuts next May.

These are designed to speed up play along with the Shot Clock Masters, a tournament which debuted in June last year and where players are given a maximum of 40 seconds per shot.

While it might provide some excitement for spectators watching behind the ropes, Howell does not see it as anything that will really benefit the game.

“I think it can prove pros can get around in a really quick time but I’m caught in two minds about it because golf has never been a race,” he told bunkered.co.uk.

“Where we do struggle as a sport is trying to get across why it’s so slow and it takes four to four-and-a-half hours and I think, most of the time, it’s because we have 156 players playing and that’s a lot of players to get around.

“Personally, I don’t see slow play as a problem massively, but I can understand why we’re trying to do something about it.”