Miles Bennett
Golf range finders, also known as distance-measuring devices (DMDs), have been used at various levels of the game for many years. However, there has been some ambiguity about their acceptability in professional golf. In 2019, an amendment to the Rules of Golf stated that rangefinders were allowed to be used in competitions, but only to provide information on distance and direction. Any functions that calculate elevation or wind speed must be turned off. Since this ruling, the women's professional game has been more accepting of rangefinders than the men's, with the PGA Tour not allowing them in events.
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What You'll Learn
Laser rangefinders are allowed in PGA championships
Laser rangefinders, also known as distance-measuring devices (DMDs), have been allowed in the PGA Championship since 2021. The PGA of America made the decision to allow rangefinders in its three major championships: the PGA Championship, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, and the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. This made the PGA of America the first major body to allow the devices in all its premier professional events.
The use of laser rangefinders in the PGA Championship is in line with Rule 4.3a, which allows players to carry devices with prohibited functions, as long as those functions are not used. According to this rule, rangefinders can be used to provide information on distance and direction, but not to calculate elevation changes or wind speeds, or to suggest a club for a player.
While the use of laser rangefinders is allowed in the PGA Championship, it is important to note that they are not permitted in all golf tournaments or competitions. For example, rangefinders are forbidden in all Open Championships, including the U.S. Open and British Opens. Additionally, the PGA Tour does not allow the use of rangefinders in its events, although players can use them in practice rounds.
The decision to allow laser rangefinders in the PGA Championship was made to help improve the flow of play during the events. Laser rangefinders provide quick and accurate yardages, which can speed up the game and enhance the viewing experience for spectators. However, there has been some debate about whether the use of rangefinders gives players an unfair advantage or goes against the traditional skills and strategies of the game.
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Rangefinders are allowed in the women's professional game
The use of rangefinders in golf has been a contentious issue for some time. While they have been used at various levels of the game for years, their acceptability in professional golf has been a grey area.
In 2013, despite not being permitted in the official Rules of Golf, players at the USGA Women's State Team and US Women's Mid-Amateur were allowed to use rangefinders. This was perhaps the first sign of the women's professional game embracing rangefinders.
The following year, governing bodies began allowing rangefinders as a local rule in R&A and USGA amateur championships, but their use could still be prohibited by the organising committee of a tournament. On January 1, 2019, an amendment to The Rules of Golf made the use of rangefinders more likely in the professional game. Under Rule 4.3a, rangefinders were allowed, but with limitations on their functions and events. For instance, measuring elevation changes was prohibited.
The women's professional game has gone considerably further than the men's game in allowing rangefinders. In 2020, the Epson Tour and LET Access Series allowed rangefinders in competition, and the LET and LPGA Tour followed suit in 2021. As part of their agreement with Voice Caddie, players received SL2 Laser Rangefinders with a special competition mode to ensure compliance with the Rules of Golf. The men's professional game has been slower to embrace rangefinders, with the PGA Tour not allowing them in its events.
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Rangefinders are allowed in R&A and USGA championships
The use of rangefinders in golf has been a contentious issue, with some arguing that they improve accuracy and consistency, while others believe they take away the skill of estimating distances. Rangefinders, also known as distance-measuring devices (DMDs), have been allowed in R&A and USGA championships with certain restrictions.
The governing bodies of golf began allowing rangefinders as a local rule in R&A and USGA amateur championships, giving players the option to use them during competitions. However, the use of rangefinders could still be prohibited by the organising committee of a tournament. In 2019, an amendment to The Rules of Golf further clarified their usage. According to Rule 4.3a, rangefinders were permitted, but only for measuring distance and direction. Any functions that calculated elevation changes or other data were not allowed.
The women's professional game has been more accepting of rangefinders than the men's game. The Epson Tour, LET Access Series, and eventually the LET and LPGA Tour allowed rangefinders in competitions. In contrast, the men's professional game has been slower to embrace them, with the PGA Tour not permitting their use during events, although players can use them in practice rounds.
The acceptance of rangefinders in professional golf has been gradual, with some tournaments and championships allowing their use while others prohibit them. While the R&A and USGA championships have permitted their use, each competition may have its own specific rules and guidelines regarding rangefinders, emphasising the importance of players checking the Local Rules before using any devices.
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Rangefinders are allowed in the professional game, but with limitations
Laser rangefinders are allowed in professional golf, but with limitations on their use. While the devices have been used at various levels of the game for many years, there has been some ambiguity about their acceptability in professional golf.
In 2019, the Rules of Golf were amended to allow rangefinders, but only in a limited capacity. Rangefinders can be used to give information on distance and direction, but not to figure out elevation changes. This ruling brought them in line with the R&A and USGA amateur championships, which had allowed rangefinders as a local rule since 2018.
The women's professional game has been more accepting of rangefinders than the men's game. The Epson Tour and LET Access Series allowed rangefinders in competition in 2020, with the LET and LPGA Tour following in 2021. In contrast, the men's PGA Tour does not allow rangefinders in its events, although players can use them in practice rounds.
The use of rangefinders can improve accuracy and consistency in the game, and they are popular because they provide quick and accurate yardages. However, some traditionalists may argue that estimating distances is a crucial skill in golf, and the use of rangefinders could give players an unfair advantage. As a result, the use of rangefinders in professional golf tournaments is carefully regulated, and their use may be prohibited by the organising committee of a tournament.
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Rangefinders are allowed in practice rounds for the PGA Tour
Laser rangefinders, also known as distance-measuring devices (DMDs), have been allowed in practice rounds for the PGA Tour since 2021. The PGA of America made the change, stating that the devices were being introduced to help with the "flow of play" during events.
While the PGA Tour does not allow rangefinders in its events, players can use them in practice rounds. The PGA of America has also allowed rangefinders in its three major championships: the PGA Championship, the KPMG Women's PGA, and the KitchenAid Senior PGA.
Rangefinders are one of the most popular pieces of golf technology, as they provide quick and accurate yardages. They were first legalised for use in golf in 2014, and an amendment to The Rules of Golf in 2019 further clarified their legality, stating that they were allowed but with limited functionality. Under Rule 4.3a, rangefinders are permitted to give information on distance and direction, but not elevation changes.
Despite their popularity, the men's professional game has generally been slower to embrace rangefinders. There are concerns that the devices could contribute to slow play, and tournament guidelines vary regarding their use. For example, while rangefinders are allowed in LIV Golf events, players must disable any advanced features, and violations result in penalties.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, since 2019, golfers have been allowed to use laser rangefinders in competitive PGA championships. However, they are not permitted to use the equipment to calculate the true distance when playing on a slope.
Yes, the PGA Tour does not allow rangefinders in its events, but players can use them in practice rounds.
Golf rangefinders are used to measure the distance between the golfer and the hole.
