Disputed Methods of Max Homa, Viktor Hovland & Co. Under Fresh Scrutiny Amid Latest Slow Play Drama: “Burns Me Up”
The slow play problem in golf has been a longstanding issue, frustrating fans and players alike. Despite efforts to address it, progress has been slow. The PGA Tour’s latest attempt includes introducing the Average Stroke Time Infraction in 2026, fining players for taking too long. However, critics argue this doesn’t go far enough. The current system has several flaws and players who slow down rounds but miss the cut often go unpunished.
Fans question the Tour’s seriousness in tackling this issue, and while everyone has their fair share of opinions, what this pro golfer said has everyone in a chokehold.
In the latest video by GOLF’s Subpar on YouTube, professional golfer Braden Thornberry shared insights on how slow play affects his game. When asked about his pace of play, Braden Thornberry revealed that he’s unfazed by others’ slow pace. According to the golfer, he’s comfortable playing at his own pace, and that’s quick. What really gets to him, though, is when players take forever on short shots. “Yeah, I mean, it doesn’t bother me that much, just because I’m so used to it. Like, a lot of times people are slow, and I don’t even realize it until the back nine or something,” he said. “But the stuff that really gets me is like the aimpoint on the two-footer and stuff. That always just burns me up a little bit.”
Now, did you catch the new word there? AimPoint? What is it? How is it related to slow play? Well, to put it precisely, AimPoint provides technology and software to help golfers improve their putting skills, and it is a controversial topic. A lot of golfers like Viktor Hovland, Keegan Bradley, Tommy Fleetwood, Collin Morikawa, and Adam Scott use this technique for their benefit, and it has proven to be effective. Take Max Homa’s clutch 8-foot par putt at the 2024 Masters as a prime example.
To seal the deal, he relied on AimPoint Express – a clever green-reading technique where he straddles his ball feels the slope with his feet, and holds up two fingers to signal a 2% tilt. This helped the golfer finish the tournament at T3 with a score of 4 under par. AimPoint has come under criticism in the past as well and the fans hate the technique even more now.
The Sony Open took an unexpected turn, and Grayson Murray emerged victorious in a thrilling 3-man playoff. However, the real buzz was around Keegan Bradley, one of the runner-ups, and his unorthodox green-reading technique, AimPoint. Bradley’s method involves feeling the slope with his feet and holding up his fingers to determine where to aim.
While it’s helped him sink crucial putts, fans found it annoyingly time-consuming. The controversy surrounding AimPoint raises questions about the balance between innovation and pace in professional golf, leaving many to wonder if Bradley’s technique is a game-changer or a game-slower. What are your thoughts on the controversial technique? Let us know in the comment section below!
