Will tightening the Old Course reduce the pace of play?

[John Chilver-Stainer]

The announcement from the R&A that the Old Course was being strengthened to adapt to the elite players will presumably mean it will also be more difficult for the normal punter.

It is proposed to bring some of bunkers into the line of play and closer to the green, which will inevitably mean more  off-line approach shots will end up in deep bunkers.

So intead of maybe a neat little chip, the visitors will descend into the bunker, make their perusal, make their stroke, maybe repeat the stroke, maybe a stroke away from the green, rake the bunker and eventually carry on.

At least the Marshals will be kept busy.

[Philip Spogard]

I would assume it would become slightly slower to play - but I personally think it will be a matter of minutes. There are a lot of caddies, etc. helping with raking and finding balls. And it sounds like some gorse has been removed which might open up a few views or result in balls being easier to find so perhaps that will counter it?