News
USGA, R&A to target green-reading books
Green-reading books are about to get a tough edit. Per a report by Geoff Shackelford, the USGA and R&A are going to “severely restrict” the information players can have at their disposal in the books, beginning Jan. 1, 2019.
According to Shackelford, “the move will effectively render the books impractical to players who have increasingly leaned on them for reading putts.”
Several sources have confirmed the decision is coming.
“We announced last year that we were reviewing green-reading materials and expect to be able to give a further update in the coming weeks,” an R&A spokesman said. “We believe that the ability to read greens is an integral part of the skill of putting and remain concerned about the rapid development of increasingly detailed materials that players are using to help with reading greens during a round.”
For its part, the USGA had this to say.
“We haven’t made any public announcements on Green Reading Materials since our joint announcement with The R&A last year, but we do plan an update on our review process in the coming weeks. It’s simply too premature to discuss, but we promise to keep everyone informed as we move forward.”
The books, particularly the green-mapping portion, have come under scrutiny in recent years, particularly as they have become popular at the college level. Opponents of the books believe they slow down play and/or remove an element of skill in the playing of the game.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Square
Jul 25, 2018 at 4:46 am
The USGA is soooo much fun. I can’t wait for next year’s US Open.
Mike Thompson
Jul 24, 2018 at 10:55 am
So Geoff Shackelford is now a source for an article that he wrote with no sources? Where’s HIS source? Jordan Spieth asked a question-didn’t make a statement.
This is the kind of #fakenews that is the problem. Go back to the days of getting an actual source to go in record before publishing false stories.
Bob Parson Jr.
Jul 22, 2018 at 10:35 pm
Sure, the USGA and the R&A are afraid if enfircing the rules fir slow play, so they create a non Issue to tackle their own cowardice. This another reason the USGA mafia will never get my money.
Rich
Jul 21, 2018 at 8:09 pm
Yea, it’s about time this is addressed.It’s getting to be a robot golfer-ish game… Go back to no books period !! It’s the best player from his decisions without books…
Even stop the walk off distance measurements also.This would speed up the game!!!
G.W
Jul 21, 2018 at 6:34 pm
Another stupid idea.Just enforce the rules for slow play and its a non issue.
Travis
Jul 21, 2018 at 8:44 am
“It’s simply too premature to discuss”… dear god… how long is this process going to take? Do they need to “mobilize the committee” again? Have a meeting to have a meeting to discuss having a meeting about thinking about meeting for this topic? If the USGA can make this decision within the 2018 calendar year I’ll be shocked.
acew/7iron
Jul 21, 2018 at 8:26 am
Its about time…
Anchoring a putter never help as many putts go down as these cheat sheets used by the best in the world.
How many more putts could you sink over the course of a year with a caddie & his cheat sheet?
Adrian
Jul 21, 2018 at 5:16 am
This is silly…even if you know the break without a doubt you are still going to miss most putts outside of about 6 feet.
Raj lp
Jul 21, 2018 at 2:00 am
Finally. The green reading books were getting out of hand. Reading greens and judging the subtle breaks is an art. Pros using cliffs notes in tournaments is ridiculous. Let em have it for practice rounds.
Wiger Toods
Jul 20, 2018 at 8:12 pm
The major complaint about this is the topographical information. It’s the main part where the ball rolls. The catch is that technology is always going to be an issue. They’ve been mapped. These maps exist. Banning them without banning yardage books means it’s going to always be there.
If you want to “ban” the advantage, stop publishing the damned pin sheets!
Tom
Jul 20, 2018 at 5:21 pm
USGA let the golf ball get totally out of control (spin rates/ distance)….but they are worried about books showing contours of greens??? lol! If the USGA was ruling body of major league baseball, outfield fences would have to be 600ft!
DB
Jul 20, 2018 at 2:31 pm
Hey, finally the USGA is doing something productive. Credit where credit is due. These books are out of control, and they definitely are slowing down play. Plus it’s just not interesting to see a bunch of guys standing around a green staring down at their books. There’s no art, no soul… they should be looking around and trying to read the green like everyone else. It’s part of the game.
Phil D. Snuts
Jul 20, 2018 at 3:02 pm
I disagree that they hold up play because now these guys are gonna read it from 360* then they’ll stand over the putt and second guess and go through the whole routine again. Probably a “wash” time wise. But I 100% agree it’s a step in bringing the game back to a traditional level. Next up wound balls, wooden woods, steel shafts and max loft of 56*. Come on USGA stop catering to the manufacturers. Pro golfers should be held to a different set of rules and standards. Let fat mike and his 87 year old dad play 48” 50 gram antenna whips and a sack full of wedges.
B
Jul 20, 2018 at 12:38 pm
What course/hole is this? That green is nuts.
alas
Jul 24, 2018 at 12:15 am
It’s the green on the Moon when Buzz Aldrin swung his 7 iron….