Rob Schumacher - Imagn Images
Pro golfers are already incredible. Frankly, I’m not sure people realize just how good these guys are unless they see them play up close in person.
Right now, pace of play is a huge issue on tour, as rounds routinely take upwards of five hours. According to a new report, the PGA Tour is set to experiment with players using rangefinders during rounds to speed up play.
Right now, PGA players have to count off yardage the old-fashioned way, counting it off via paces from on-course yardage markets. Honestly, some players prefer this to rangefinders, which aren’t always 100% accurate. Players and caddies like the routine of pacing off the yardage and noticing changes in topography.
But, let’s face it, it could take a while. It takes a lot more time to walk up to the yardage marker and pace it off as compared to just using a top-of-the-line rangefinder, which takes seconds.
The PGA Tour wants to address pace of play, and they’re looking to rangefinders to do so.
PGA Tour says they will test allowing players to use distance-measuring devices during competition. One of a number of initiatives to try to speed up play.
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) January 29, 2025
Here’s what Rapoport had to say after the PGA Tour announced testing rangefinder use on tour.
Rangefinders are permitted in the PGA Championship, and the Tour has tested the policy on the Korn Ferry Tour. It’s not clear if allowing rangefinders would also mean disallowing yardage books, and a very unscientific poll of social media and tour-pro chatter suggests players and caddies will likely still double-verify their yardages with the books if allows.
The purists will definitely not like this. But, if it speeds up play, it will make for a better television product.