As Arnold Palmer said, “Golf is a game of inches,” yet the game loses its rhythm when those inches take prolonged hours. Therefore, you’re not alone if you’ve ever attended a round of golf and wished you could have prepared dinner, cleaned up, and returned in time to watch a player shoot. On the PGA Tour, slow play has grown to be a major annoyance for players, broadcasters, and viewers alike. It slows down rounds, disrupts the game’s flow, and, to be honest, makes for some very monotonous television.
Trevor Immelman, a golf expert for CBS, was candid about slow play in a recent interview. He clarified that broadcasters must match the cadence of each player, as some swing a few times talk to their caddie, and then fire away. However, there are also men like Tom Kim who, in Immelman’s words, simply stand over the ball indefinitely. So let’s explore what Immelman has to say about Kim’s show on the course.
Trevor Immelman’s highlights about the unusual routine of Tom Kim
In a candid conversation on The Fried Egg Golf Podcast, Trevor Immelman, the primary golf analyst for CBS, discussed the difficulties of broadcasting golf and the problems that players with lengthy pre-shot routines present. To guarantee smooth commentary, Immelman underlined how crucial it is to comprehend each player’s rhythm. He pointed out, “So, you know, we all pick up on it really quickly, and we start to roll with the player’s routine and understand at that point how much time we have to talk.”
Immelman further explains the broadcasting team’s commitment to uphold the authenticity of the game, adding that they make an effort to be quiet throughout the player’s swing to capture the real sound of the shot. He did note, though, that some players, such as Tom Kim, display actions that are not typical. “Now and then you get a player that looks a little iced over the ball, Tom Kim is in that spot right now, and that catches us off guard,” Immelman expressed.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – SEPTEMBER 24: Tom Kim of South Korea and the International Team plays a shot during a practice round prior to the 2024 Presidents Cup at The Royal Montreal Golf Club on September 24, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
The main problem is Kim’s propensity to stand over the ball for long periods after appearing to finish his pre-shot preparations. The expected flow is broken by this prolonged hesitancy, which makes it difficult for broadcasters to properly rhythm their analysis. Immelman called this “not normal,” emphasizing that although most players may take longer to prepare, they usually execute the shot as soon as it is ready. However, some golfers such as Kim, have a method that entails a perceptible pause even after appearing set, which is a routine that is particularly visible in professional play.
So from a broadcast point of view, everything is organized in a way that the viewing experience remains authentic and something that is unique to the sport. However, issues such as slow play can affect that authenticity. But wait, this is not the first time Kim’s slow play was highlighted. Let’s see where else Kim caught the attention.
Kim’s slow play at Pebble Beach draws criticism
During the last round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the problem of Tom Kim’s slow speed was exacerbated. The TV crew saw that Kim waited more than a minute to make his approach shot on the par-5 sixth hole. Commentator Frank Nobilo chuckled, “It was not worth the wait,” after he eventually made the shot, which regrettably drifted into the rocks.
The golf community responded to this occurrence in an array of ways. Both fans and commentators vented their frustration on social media, with some amusingly claiming that they had “fallen asleep” while they waited for Kim to make his move. Everyone agreed that while strategic thinking is important in a game like golf, too many delays can ruin the viewing experience and slow down the tournament’s progress. This also affects fellow golfers who follow their own rhythm and pace, resulting in putting off their concentration.
The larger issue is that the PGA Tour is seeing an increase in these slow-play incidents. Despite the law’s provision of recommendations regarding pace, its patchy implementation has prompted requests for more stringent penalties. Regular slow play, according to analysts, not only detracts from the experience of on-site and television viewers but also from other competitors.
Therefore, the problem of sluggish play continues to be a major worry as the PGA Tour attempts to negotiate the difficulties of contemporary golf. Players who display lengthy pre-shot preparations, such as Tom Kim, are coming under more scrutiny. Players must be aware of their pace to retain their credibility and enjoyment of the sport, and there is a greater need than ever to strike a balance between meticulous preparation and keeping the game’s rhythm.
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