Steve Williams spent many years caddying on the PGA Tour, most notably with Tiger Woods, and the looper has had his say on the problem surrounding slow play at events

Steve Williams had his say on slow play(Image: Getty Images)

Tiger Woods’ caddie Steve Williams believes slow play has become more of an issue on the PGA Tour due to a change in shot preparation from players.

Williams worked with the great Woods for 12 years and was by the 82-time PGA Tour winner’s side throughout his prime, winning 12 of his 15 major championships in that period. Having parted with ways with Woods in 2011, Williams went on to work on the bag elsewhere.

In the modern game, the issue of slow play has become apparent, most notably in the 2025 season, with fans, analysts, and players alike all raising concerns in recent months.

The problem was put to veteran looper Williams, who compared how players have become much more meticulous over the ball, referencing his time with both Woods and Jason Day. “When I look back at it, I think that was one of his major attributes,” Williams told the Subpar Podcast of Woods’ impressive pace of play.

“He played pretty quickly. He made his decision, pulled the trigger, and played the shot. So I think that was one of his attributes that made him successful. It blew me away. Nothing against Jason, you know, I would call Jason a modern-day player, and I would call Tiger an olden-day player.

“When I was caddying for Jason, you know, trying to calculate, he had information about how far the ball went in 70°, 80°, 90°, 100° weather, and all these different things became overwhelming.” Williams continued: “I think today, part of the problem is that the information that’s available now has contributed to the slow play on Tour.

Steve Williams caddied for Tiger Woods from 1999 to 2011.(Image: Getty Images)

“There’s just too much information now. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing, it’s an individual choice. I feel like some of these guys like, paralyze themselves, ᵴtriƥ themselves of their talent just [by] worrying too much about that stuff.”

After recent complaints, Tour bosses have looked to take action on slow play, and in an effort to improve, trialed rangefinders for players to measure distance. The trial period included the RBC Heritage in April, and speaking at Harbour Town, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler revealed his doubts over the idea.

“Is it going to help pace of play? Maybe a few minutes,” Scheffer said at the time. “Will it be anything significant? No. In this tournament, what affects the pace of play is walking the golf course. I think we’re playing twosomes all week, so it will go from a five-hour round to maybe four hours or less.

“When you see the biggest changes in pace of play, it all comes from going from three guys to two guys in a pairing. It’s just easier to get around the golf course.”