The Tight Lies tour is one of several regional circuits. Call it a “mini-tour” if you want – they’re all across the US. Ryan Palmer, a recent PGA Tour winner, once played the Tight Lies Tour.
This time, it’s not one of the players making news, but a rules change for the 2005 season. The Tight Lies Tour has decided to allow the use of electronic range finders. The tour has partnered with SkyGolf GPS, which uses a statellite-based system to determine yardages (accurate to within one yard) to carry hazards, the front of the green, the pin, and more.
Citing pace of play as the primary reason for the move, tour president Gary DeSerrano said “We started analyzing some of the slow play that goes along with the professional golf ranks. The majority was finding yardages and going through the routine. This new technology is the future of golf, and we have no doubt that SkyGolf will be an asset for our tour and our professionals.”
The Rules? Oh Yeah…
Unfortunately, there’s one simple problem: it’s against the Rules of Golf!!! Rule 14-3b says that a player cannot use an artificial device “to gauge or measure distance or conditions that might affect his play” (thus making electronic temperature sensors illegal as well, some would argue).
The Tight Lies Tour has slipped past this rule simply by creating a local rule that allows the players to use the device. Said DeSerrano, “We’ll monitor the pace and see how this affects it.” The downside? The Tight Lies Tour can no longer rely on the United States Golf Association – the US ruling body – for rules decisions.
Perhaps the USGA is reconsidering its stance on range finders? USGA Executive Director David Fay said recently “I don’t think it’s any secret that the USGA favors allowing them to be used under the rules. My personal view is that it enables guys like me to get the type of yardage assistance that (caddie) Steve Williams is providing Tiger Woods.”
Range Finder Rulings
Currently, the USGA allows players to use rangefinders when posting a score for handicapping, but bans them in competition. Insiders say that the reason the USGA has held off on allowing them at any point is the close relationship they have with the R&A – the ruling body of “the rest of the world.” The next rules change can be made in 2008, but sources say the R&A will probably not consider electronic devices. Said one Tight Lies Tour player who shall remain nameless, “England isn’t the home of gadget freaks. Heck, they’ve only recently discovered toothbrushes, right?” We’re pretty sure he was kidding…
Still, R&A Secretary Peter Dawson said “I think many people in the UK are opposed to these devices. These items are much more prevalent in the US, despite the fact they are against the Rules of Golf. It’s remarkable they are allowed for handicapping purposes.” In other words “what the hell are you thinking, USGA? You’re supposed to keep the game of golf in the 20th century, like us!”
When told of the Tight Lies Tour’s decision to use the rangefinders next year, Dawson replied “That staggers me. I suppose they’re not going to have stroke-and-distance for going out of bounds?”
Range Finder Technology
Some range finders use lasers aimed at flagsticks to determine yardages. PGA Tour caddies often use this type of range finder when they measure courses. Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus recently endorsed Laser Link Golf for use on their home courses, Bay Hill and The Bear’s Club.
Newer models use GPS – global positioning system. GPS is accurate to within a yard, and many golf carts are being built with GPS systems and displays. The SkyGolf GPS is a hand-held model which can be clipped to a belt or a bag. They don’t require any pointing – just read the yardage from the screen. The device may save players the time they spend hunting down sprinkler heads and pacing off yardages.
The Tight Lies Tour is not providing rangefinders; players can buy them for $350. DeSerrano points out that players pay just as much for detailed yardage books for the 21 courses the tour visits.
When yardage books are compiled, they employ range finders. Why not remove the middle step? “It’s a natural extension of getting a yardage on the sprinkler head,” Fay said. “I don’t think it affects the skill required to play the shot.”
And that’s really what matters, right?
Why even have technological advances if we can’t use and take advantage of them? I have no problem with them using GPS to determine exact distance. They still have to choose the right club and hit a good shot. In fact, most caddies know almost the exact distances because they walk the course beforehand.