Max Homa Responds After Pace Of Play Call Out

In a video which showed Homa using AimPoint over a short putt, the American stated that he will 'work on speeding' up the process

Homa lines up a putt at the Match Play
(Image credit: Getty Images)

There's no denying that Max Homa is one of the good guys in golf, with the American regularly seen having a laugh with fans via his social media, as well as producing some fantastic golf that has seen him net six PGA Tour titles since 2019.

However, at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, the 32-year-old's pace of play was called out as Homa lined up a putt in his Last 16 clash with Mackenzie Hughes, with Hughes seen on camera looking somewhat frustrated with the amount of time Homa was taking on a five-foot putt.

Homa, who was tagged multiple times after the video was released, did respond to it, with the American tweeting: "Got tagged in this. Will work on speeding this process up."

The process that he uses is something called AimPoint, which is a method where you feel the slope of the green via your feet. By straddling the ball's path, you should be able to gauge the severity of the slope from one to five and, from there, you stand behind the ball, close one eye while lifting your hand up and pointing your finger outside the hole. Based on how severe the slope is, you put the amount of fingers up, so if it's a one percent slope, you put up one finger.

In the video that was posted to Twitter, we see Homa measuring the slope four times with his feet, twice looking at the hole and twice looking at the ball, whilst the camera pans to an almost exasperated Hughes, who is seen tapping his fingers on the bridge before slowly pacing his way to the next tee box.

Mackenzie Hughes and Max Homa shake hands after their match

Hughes would go on to defeat Homa 3&2 in their Last 16 clash

(Image credit: Getty Images)

It's not the first time that AimPoint has been called into question. Back in March, during a women's college tournament, a competitor appeared to do the green reading method while standing right next to the hole, with both of her playing partners still to putt, something which riled up social media, as it appeared she was stood on the lines of her playing partners.

Professionals have also called out the method previously, with Scott Hend tweeting back in April 2022 that "guys just don't give a s*** about when it's your turn (to putt). Mostly AimPoint guys as well I must say." 

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x