Paige Spiranac’s plea for golf to welcome its growing audience was meant to challenge the sport’s reputation for exclusivity. The reaction, however, quickly became another example of the hostility she believes is pushing people away.
After her original statement attracted more than 2.3 million views on X, Spiranac returned to address critics who blamed newer players for slow rounds, poor etiquette and disruptive behavior.
Some also argued that her experiences at private clubs left her disconnected from the problems facing golfers at busy public courses.
The former collegiate player rejected that characterization and insisted the issues aren’t confined to one type of venue or generation.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play at some of the nicest courses and I also still play, and pay for rounds, at munis,” Spiranac wrote. “Debauchery and poor pace of play happen at both from new golfers to old.”
Rather than treating beginners as the sole problem, she suggested the tension reflects a wider decline in courtesy.
“I think people in general are less kind and considerate, and that is also showing up on the golf course,” she added.
Spiranac responds to golf’s slow-play frustration
Pace of play emerged as the central complaint beneath Spiranac’s post. Golf’s participation boom has placed greater pressure on courses, creating longer waits and increasing frustration when groups fall behind.
Spiranac acknowledged that slow play is a genuine problem, but argued that operators can improve the experience through better scheduling and firmer enforcement.
“Pace of play seems to be the biggest issue for everyone,” she wrote. “I think if courses stick to 12-15 minute interval tee times and crack down on pace of play, then the experience will be enhanced for all.”
Her suggestion has support from previous research. A USGA case study found that Maryland’s Montgomery County Revenue Authority improved pace after extending tee-time intervals from eight to 12 minutes.
Average rounds dropped from as long as five-and-a-half hours to approximately four hours, while customer satisfaction and revenue increased.
The debate has intensified as golf reaches more people. National Golf Foundation figures show that 48.1 million Americans participated in on-course or off-course golf during 2025, a 41 percent increase from 2019.
“Gentleman’s game” defense draws sharp response
Spiranac’s original message didn’t dismiss etiquette or suggest new golfers should ignore established rules. Instead, she called on experienced players to help beginners learn rather than mocking them for lacking knowledge.
“I’m so tired of hearing ‘shrink’ and hating on this new culture of golf fans,” she wrote. “This condescending and belittling behavior of new golfers is gross to me. You’re not better than someone else or morally superior because you’ve played longer.
“Golf doesn’t need to be stuffy and exclusive to preserve what we all love about the game so much. It’s about community.”
The abuse that followed allowed Spiranac to highlight what she viewed as the clearest contradiction in the argument against newcomers.
“It’s funny how people will preach decorum, etiquette, and how it’s a gentleman’s game while also sending the most vile tweets,” she wrote.
Her position remains that golf can protect its standards without closing itself off. Teaching etiquette, spacing tee times properly and enforcing pace offer practical solutions. Attacking the people discovering the game does not.
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