In 2021, the PGA of America announced that it would allow the use of distance-measuring devices in its three professional major championships – the PGA Championship, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. This decision was made in an effort to improve the flow of play during these prestigious events. The devices made their debut at the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s Ocean Course in South Carolina. Players and caddies have been using these devices during practice rounds to gather relevant yardages for years, and it was time for them to be integrated into the major championships.
The PGA of America became the first major body to allow the use of distance-measuring devices in all its premier professional events. While the United States Golf Association’s Rules of Golf have allowed the use of laser rangefinders and GPS devices in casual play and tournaments since 2006, a local rule previously allowed tournament committees to ban such devices. At elite professional levels of play, the devices had not been widely embraced for competition rounds until the PGA of America’s decision. They are still not permitted at PGA Tour events or the U.S. Open and British Opens.
According to Rule 4.3a (1), the devices allowed in the PGA of America championships can only report on distance and direction. Devices that calculate elevation changes, wind speeds, or suggest a club for a player, among other data, are not permitted. Many pros were already using laser rangefinders and GPS devices in practice rounds prior to this rule change, so the transition to using them in competition rounds was relatively seamless for them. Some players choose devices that do not provide elevation and other data as a precaution against accidentally using that information during a round.
The use of distance-measuring devices in professional golf has been a topic of discussion for many years, with some speculating that they could help speed up play by eliminating the need for players and caddies to walk off yardages to fixed positions on the course. The devices provide accurate yardages quickly, allowing players to make decisions faster and potentially improve their performance. While distance-measuring devices have been permitted in amateur events such as the U.S. Amateur since 2014, their use in professional events has been limited until recently.
Overall, the decision by the PGA of America to allow the use of distance-measuring devices in its major championships represents a significant shift in the way professional golf is played at the highest levels. This change has the potential to enhance the experience for players and spectators alike by improving the flow of play and providing more accurate information for decision-making on the course. As technology continues to advance, it will be interesting to see how the use of these devices evolves and potentially impacts the game of golf in the future.
