Brian Hughes Answers – If I Could Change One Rule in Golf
If I Could Change One Rule in Golf
By Brian Hughes, PGA Master Professional,
Golf Program Director, Keiser University College of Golf
The Rules of Golf have been receiving quite a bit of scrutiny recently, as there have been more issues on the professional tours than normal.
With social media more prevalent than ever, many more rules “experts’ have come out of the woodwork.
While I am a staunch proponent of the Rules the way they are written (and don’t get me started on the “modernization” of the Rules that is underway), there is some room for adjustment.
A Rule that I believe should be changed from how it is currently (and is under consideration for change by the way!) is the restriction on the usage of yardage measuring devices.
As it is written now, use of range finders and GPS systems is prohibited under Rule 14-3, Artificial Devices.
There is a provision granting permission of use of these devices at the recommendation of a tournament committee; but, without this approval, yardages must be determined the old fashioned way – trying to find a yardage marker in the fairway, pacing off the distance of the marker to your ball, and adding or subtracting based on the hole location, depth of the green, and on and on.
A tedious exercise at best, as reflected by the awful pace of play exhibited on the professional tours.
Initially, many explanations against this technology in golf dealt with cost factors and the “challenge” golfers faced in judging distance.
However, in this day and age, these arguments don’t carry the weight they used to.
Improved technology is a given in all aspects of daily life, and in the case of distance measuring devices, at a price less than a new driver.
Increasing golfer enjoyment and improving pace of play have supplanted the desire to maintain the way things “used” to be.
Performing mathematics on the course is likely not going to help us maintain golfer interest, so we should embrace technology whenever possible, especially if it makes it easier to enjoy our great game.
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