Should the Pro's use Rangefinders? Commentators say yes.

[randywildman]

Ian baker Finch and Gary McCord both seemed to be in favor of the point and shoot lazer rangefinders for the big guys.

 

What do you think ? Good idea to speed up play or will it slow down things?

[Skaffa77]

They have a better range finder than I could ever afford...a professional caddy.

[Frankensteins Monster]

I think absolutely yes. Watching Lacava pace off shots yesterday was annoying and slowed down the game. It happens all the time. Bones does it religiously. It's stupid to not allow them.

[randywildman]

[quote name='Frankensteins Monster' timestamp='1359392440' post='6314781']
I think absolutely yes. Watching Lacava pace off shots yesterday was annoying and slowed down the game. It happens all the time. Bones does it religiously. It's stupid to not allow them.
[/quote]

yeah. I am pretty sure it was Lacava walking off Tiger yardage that prompted it.

[baseballfrk8998]

I think, for the sake of the pace of play, that they should allow them.

Do I see it happening? Absolutely not. I think they should though.

[Brock Savage]

They should either make the pros use nothing but their eyeballs (i.e., ban pacing distances off), or let them use a rangefinder. What's the difference between a rangefinder and a yardage guide that gives all the distances, other than speed?

[Jamboy72]

This is a really good question...given how precise and accurate the yardage books are, I wouldn't have a problem with the lasers...in fact, during practice rounds, they can use anything they want, correct??? So why not just allow a basic rangefinder?? Good question...

[SnapFade2]

Y not use them It cant hurt anything.

[nova6868]

[b]Anything that speeds up play should be welcomed.[/b]

Here's the question though... would rangefinders speed up play or slow it down?

[MarkJK]

I'm in favor of Tour use. Just simply for the reasons we saw yesterday & during every round ever played on tour, it helps speed up play for everyone. Having to walk off yardages because of an errant shot takes up way too much time and the measuring device solves that issue in seconds. Allowing their use would in no way eliminate Caddies because they would still have all the other duties to perform including weighing in on how to play the shot, reading putts, etc. My club, as I assume do most others, already allow use of distance only measuring devices during tournament play & it helps tremendously. However, one of my regular playing partners (a 25+ year member) always seems to know to within a yard the distance every time I courteously shoot the distance for him.

[doubleagle2]

I would be for it especially if it speeds things up

[Frankensteins Monster]

[quote name='nova6868' timestamp='1359392998' post='6314847']
[b]Anything that speeds up play should be welcomed.[/b]

Here's the question though... would rangefinders speed up play or slow it down?
[/quote]

Why would it slow it down?

[esketores]

Pure and simply yes.
No brainer decision.

What was worse during yesterdays broadcast was them showing Marino and his group wandering around the green. I'd rather watch paint dry. Ended up turning off the broadcast due to the pace of play.

[golfer.61]

High school events are starting to use them along with some junior tour programs. I think they should, the golfer still has to execute the shot.

[monkeynaut]

Yes. The walking off yardage is a time waste.
OR replace caddies with super hot bikini babes and let them walk it off in Slo Mo.... Sponsored by Cialis.

[ragweed10]

If allowed would players use these, with all the gallery that Tiger and Phil have standing around the greens I think they would not always trust the laser because they could easily miss the flag and get a spectator standing near the green and if they used both methods to double check it would just slow things down. Besides your talking about a few shots around that are way off line that this happens on (Tiger) or when Phil needs to knock in a wedge shot, not every hole is being walked off like we saw in the tournament this week.

[ZINC68]

YES. However, I think JoeLa had time yesterday to walk the course and come back to Tiger for his shot. The groups in front of them were slloooooooowwwww. Don't know why they didn't just shotgun the start.

[Jamboy72]

[quote name='Frankensteins Monster' timestamp='1359393270' post='6314887']
[quote name='nova6868' timestamp='1359392998' post='6314847']
[b]Anything that speeds up play should be welcomed.[/b]

Here's the question though... would rangefinders speed up play or slow it down?
[/quote]

Why would it slow it down?
[/quote]

I think this is a good question...if they have the yardage books all marked up prior to the event and they know the yardage to every bunker, tree, hazard, etc...they just get the yardage to the pin and then go...I don't think they'd decrease speed of play (so much of this is due to time spent on the green) but would increase speed of play marginally...

[baseballfrk8998]

[quote name='ragweed10' timestamp='1359394341' post='6315027']
If allowed would players use these, with all the gallery that Tiger and Phil have standing around the greens I think they would not always trust the laser because they could easily miss the flag and get a spectator standing near the green and if they used both methods to double check it would just slow things down. Besides your talking about a few shots around that are way off line that this happens on (Tiger) or when Phil needs to knock in a wedge shot, not every hole is being walked off like we saw in the tournament this week.
[/quote]

Pin seeker my friend, pin seeker.

[ragweed10]

[quote name='baseballfrk8998' timestamp='1359395005' post='6315131']
[quote name='ragweed10' timestamp='1359394341' post='6315027']
If allowed would players use these, with all the gallery that Tiger and Phil have standing around the greens I think they would not always trust the laser because they could easily miss the flag and get a spectator standing near the green and if they used both methods to double check it would just slow things down. Besides your talking about a few shots around that are way off line that this happens on (Tiger) or when Phil needs to knock in a wedge shot, not every hole is being walked off like we saw in the tournament this week.
[/quote]

Pin seeker my friend, pin seeker.
[/quote]
On a day with zero wind even with pin seeker it is sometimes difficult to get the flag on longer approach shots.

[baseballfrk8998]

Yeah.. Usually from 225+ it can be a challenge. Never have problems inside of that though.

That's with a Tour V2, however. They'd be using a Pro 1M or the equivalent. 7x magnification with Pin Seeker.. They'd have no problems.

[tembolo1284]

If it speeds up play then def let them use it.

I imagine it would save a minute or so. Instead of a chap walking off yardage he just lasers it and bang done!

[esketores]

Have both GPS and laser.
Exact pin location on GPS.

Would the use of such technology possibly lead to a change in the caddie / player dynamic? There are players who can play the game standing on there own two feet. Sorta like Hogan, Nelson, Snead, et al. Wonder how they did it?
It is almost as if some players are nothing more than a puppet with a programmed swing. The caddie is the puppet master.

Would we see players start to pick up a local guy to be their caddie?

[SadTrombone]

Absolutely.

I wish the USGA would "test" it at the Amateur level. Say in the Mid Am or APL...at least in qualifying rounds. Give them range finders and GPSs. With a laser and GPS combo, I don't have to pace anything off. The GPS gives me front/back/carry distances and the laser gives me the number to the flag. I can figure everything out from there. Works well, lasts long time.

[mgoelz]

Should it happen: YES. Will it happen: doubt it anytime soon.
Does it really offer that much of an advantage over what they have now? Certainly not a "competitive advantage" if everyone is using one.

[Jim Clark]

[b][size=6]ABSOLUTELY YES!!!!![/size][/b]

[size=5]IT WILL SPEED PLAY! The amount of time they spend trying to calculate an exact yardage is insane. If I were behind them on the course, I'd be going ballistic and yelling "hey, while we're young!" right in their backswing.[/size]

[Brock Savage]

[quote name='monkeynaut' timestamp='1359393864' post='6314967']
Yes. The walking off yardage is a time waste.
OR replace caddies with super hot bikini babes and let them walk it off in Slo Mo.... Sponsored by Cialis.
[/quote]

I like the way you think. But rather than have the bikini babes walk it off, put them on pogo sticks.

[dplasters]

[quote name='ZINC68' timestamp='1359394424' post='6315035']
YES. However, I think JoeLa had time yesterday to walk the course and come back to Tiger for his shot. The groups in front of them were slloooooooowwwww. Don't know why they didn't just shotgun the start.
[/quote]
Final group tees of at 6:10pm EST. In 50 minutes I got to see them play 3 holes... it was mind numbingly slow.

I'm all for them being able to use a laser on tour. I suppose there is an argument to be made that by hitting it into the 6th fairway on #2 your shot should be more difficult simply because you are playing from that isn't intended to be played from. There should be some uncertainty in the shot distance because of your errant tee shot.

I know as someone watching... 3 holes in 50 minutes is awful. A laser should help, but the group in front looked like most of their time was spent on the greens where they would mark anything outside 12 inches.

[mark m]

I am waiting for some player to pull out a clip board or legal pad size portfolio (with all his written info on it) from the specially desgned slot on his tour bag.

I too think the answer is to allow the devices or not allow anything but the scorecard. I don't see the different between info that is on paper vs electronic. It's all just info. Anyone know the year that they first began to produce pin sheets (hole location sheets) for the tour? Angelo Argea (Jack's caddy) used to walk the course before rounds to see the set-up for the day.

[seany bo]

i noticed Tigers caddy pacing off distances as wel, buttt they were waiting on every single tee shot so it didn't slow them up at all... groups in front were slowwwww