Confused by how range finder rules are enforced

Beavis1846 · August 19, 2021

How are the rules enforced and what are they regarding range finders with or without slope measurements for qualifiers and tournaments usga and pga/Korn ferry?

Years ago came up with a very good course management system that basically taking dead aim at the most neutral points away from any trouble for every shot and using the median distance for each club which was determined mostly by front of green and back of green yardages and nearly always completely disregarding the flag. This drastically improved my scoring but was completely dependant on a rangefinder.

I played in a qualifier that did not allow them but noticed another player in the group using his phone to get yardages and after the fact realized I shouldve said something.

I played in another more recently that allowed wider grooves as well as rangefinders for the pre qualifier but not for the qualifier, I saw them using at the pga but I guess this is only for majors? The slope button can be turned on and off and I assume slope is definitely not allowed but how do they even know if a player is using it? I've never found the slope measurement necessary. Personally I dont think any electronics should be allowed on a course during tournaments of any kind including training aids on the practice green or otherwise. Seems strange also with the groove thing to me it wouldnt make sense to carry two sets of wedges and have to get used to two sets of spin. The usga seems to be hyperactive about changing rules and wish they would just settle on things for longer than they do.

Edited August 19, 2021 by Beavis1846

cristphoto · August 20, 2021

I just saw an article last week saying a pro golfer was disqualified from a tournament by having his laser in slope mode. I'd think a pro would either have two lasers (non-slope for tournaments and slope for practice) or tape down the switch during tournaments.

Beavis1846 · August 20, 2021

3 hours ago, cristphoto said:

I just saw an article last week saying a pro golfer was disqualified from a tournament by having his laser in slope mode. I'd think a pro would either have two lasers (non-slope for tournaments and slope for practice) or tape down the switch during tournaments.

Apparently it is a situation where if you have one with slope function you need to verify with playing partners and starter/official that it is set to OFF before starting the round. I wonder if that particular player who was disqualified simply forgot to turn it off before playing, but I guess you would be able to see it in the viewfinder so maybe not. I think generally the rangefinders are allowed in prequalifiers but not qualifiers but it depends on each tournament I guess and they have a section that covers the distance measuring device rules for that particular qualifier or tournament in the regsitration.

Edited August 20, 2021 by Beavis1846

gioguy21 · August 20, 2021

i have heard of a golfer disqualifying himself after 5 or 6 holes b/c his caddie who was giving him the yardages had slope on and didn't notice it.

cristphoto · August 20, 2021

Here's the article (its on the Golfwrx home page:

All Pro Tour player disqualified for peculiar rules infraction – GolfWRX

Stuart_G · August 23, 2021

On 8/19/2021 at 3:34 AM, Beavis1846 said:

How are the rules enforced and what are they regarding range finders with or without slope measurements for qualifiers and tournaments usga and pga/Korn ferry?

It's really entirely up to the rules committee for any particular tournament to set the policy on what efforts they will take. At the higher levels of play, they typically rely on the integrity of the players.

NatSt8er · August 23, 2021

If I played golf for money, I'm not sure I would even own a rangefinder with slope, for exactly this reason.

TwistedSister · August 23, 2021

I thought ALL range finders were a no-no on PGA tours?

RCGA · August 23, 2021

I don't understand the logic at the amateur level.

I can use it for handicapped rounds, but not in the club championship - which uses my handicap for net scores.

cristphoto · August 24, 2021

6 hours ago, dhacker56 said:

I thought ALL range finders were a no-no on PGA tours?

Not allowed on PGA Tour events. LPGA now allows them as does certain European tour events. Events run by the PGA (PGA and Ryder Cup) they’re allowed.

Stuart_G · August 24, 2021

13 hours ago, RCGA said:

I don't understand the logic at the amateur level.

I can use it for handicapped rounds, but not in the club championship - which uses my handicap for net scores.

If you're talking about the slope functionality, then no you're technically not allowed to use that for handicap rounds. And yes, I know a lot of people do it anyways.

If you're talking about using rangefinders in general, then look to your tournament committee for the inconsistency. It's not coming from the USGA.

Edited August 24, 2021 by Stuart_G

phil75070 · August 24, 2021

I have found that unless the uphill / downhill is pretty steep, my ability to control my yardage with any club varies greater than the difference in yardage provided by the slope function. Thus, it is rare where the distance calculated by the slope function has made a significant difference in club selection. I have found I score pretty much the same whether I use the slope function or not. Just my experience.