Rangefinders can now be used at the PGA Championship and the KPGA Women’s PGA Championship.
The American Professional Golf Association (PGA of America) announced on the 10th (hereinafter Korean time) that “from 2021, the use of range finders is permitted in three major competitions organized by the association.”
Accordingly, athletes participating in this year’s PGA Championship (May 21-24), KPMG Women’s PGA Championship (June 25-28) and Kitchen Aid Senior PGA Championship (May 26-31) can use a range finder.
Jim Richardson, president of the American Professional Golf Association, explained the background of allowing the use of a range finder, saying, “I was always interested in how to help improve the flow of the game in championship competitions.”
“The use of rangefinders is already common in games and is up to the rules of golf,” said Richardson. “Athletes and caddies have long used rangefinders to determine distance in practice rounds.”
Athletes and caddy who wish to use range finders in competitions hosted by the American Professional Golf Association must comply with the Golf Rules (Section 4.3a, Article 1,’Distance and Direction Information’).
Although it is possible to collect information on distance or direction using a range finder or compass, it is prohibited to grasp changes in altitude or to receive assistance in interpreting distance and direction information.
In other words, don’t use devices that recommend playlines or clubs to use.
/yunhap news
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