The PGA Tour is testing the use of distance-measuring devices to help speed up play at the RBC Heritage this week. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler believes that the use of rangefinders may help pace of play by a few minutes, but the biggest impact comes from playing with smaller groups on the course. While Scheffler acknowledges the benefits of using rangefinders for yardage, he doesn’t believe it will significantly improve pace of play on Tour. The penalty for breaching the rules regarding rangefinders is severe, with players facing a two-stroke penalty for the first infraction and disqualification for the second.
The issue of slow play on the PGA Tour has garnered attention, with slow rounds at events like the Farmers Insurance Open prompting criticism from CBS’ on-course reporter Dottie Pepper. Chairman Fred Ridley addressed the pace issue during the Masters, indicating that the club will monitor pace of play at the Drive, Chip and Putt contest. A player-formed committee has suggested using rangefinders, changing the penalty structure, and releasing slow-play data and statistics to improve pace of play. Top players like Collin Morikawa have advocated for stricter penalties for offenders to address the slow-play problem on Tour.
Scheffler echoes Rory McIlroy’s sentiment that switching from threesomes to twosomes could be a more effective way to address pace of play. He believes that the focus should be on making golf more inclusive and accessible to new players rather than just reducing round times by a few minutes. Scheffler emphasizes the importance of growing the game and getting more people involved in golf to share the sport’s life lessons with others. The PGA Tour’s rangefinder trial period will last through the RBC Heritage, Truist Championship, and OneFlight Myrtle Beach Classic, with the Korn Ferry Tour also testing them during three consecutive events.
In conclusion, while the use of rangefinders may have a minor impact on pace of play, the focus should be on addressing larger issues like playing with smaller groups to improve pace on the PGA Tour. Stricter penalties for slow-play offenders and releasing data on slow-play statistics can also help incentivize players to move faster on the course. Ultimately, the goal should be to make golf more inclusive and accessible to new players to grow the game and share its valuable life lessons with a wider audience.
