The PGA Tour Policy Board is set to vote on a raft of significant changes which could come into effect for the 2026 season.

Members were sent a 23-page document on Tuesday, outlining proposals from the Tour’s Player Advisory Council (PAC).

Woods is an honorary member of the PAC, which is designed to represent players’ interests on the Policy BoardCredit: Getty
It included plans to reduce field sizes and hand out fewer Tour cards, with dramatic measures such as getting rid of Monday Qualifiers and making certain pathways smaller.

Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay are among the player directors who form the PAC – and they will get to vote on the proposals in November.

One section of rule changes proved particularly contentious among fans on social media – and that is the new proposals to address pace of play.

Slow play is a serious problem in professional golf, not only for fans, but for players who rely on rhythm.

Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka have led the complaints about slow play in recent years.

Woods himself has previously called on the Tour to hit players with serious fines.

However, at first glance, it appeared as though the Tour was proposing to reduce punishments for slow players.

The Rules Committee has suggested a reduction of the current ‘Bad Times’ fine from $50,000 to $10,000, and the ‘Excessive Shot Times’ from $10,000 to $5,000.

They also want the beginning of the timing process to be adjusted so players have more time in certain scenarios.

Fines for ‘Timings’, ‘Bad Times’ and ‘Excessive Shot Times’ would no longer apply at the major championships.

Cantlay, who is also on the PAC, has faced criticism over his pace of play in recent yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Social account ‘Monday Q Info’, which led much of the outrage over the proposed changes, tweeted: “Holy s***. They are adjusting the pace of play to give players….

“More time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the fines… less!!!!!!!!!”

But rather than let players off the hook for slow play, it seems the PGA Tour is simply shifting its focus away from one-time offenders, and onto more regular culprits.

Under the proposals, the Tour’s biggest weapon to assess slow play will be its Average Stroke Time (AST) policy.

This will paint a bigger picture over the course of a tournament, rather than one shot – and these fines are increasing.

Players will be hit with a $50,000 fine, up from $30,000, if they amass ten AST breaches.

The Tour is set to introduce an ‘Excessive Average Stroke Time’ rule – which will see players docked $50,000 if they average 12 seconds more against the field in all four rounds.

It should also be said that overall pace of play will likely be improved by the reduction in field sizes, too.

While some argue this denies opportunities to players on the outskirts, McIlroy has been one of the biggest supporters of a smaller tour.

Speaking in August, the Northern Irishman said: “I’m all for making it more cut-throat, more competitive.

“Probably won’t be very popular for saying this but I’m all for less players and less Tour cards, and the best of the best.”

Unlikely Woods, McIlroy no longer gets a vote as part of the PAC after quitting his role in 2023.

But the chances are they would both be in full support.