News
USGA will restrict green-reading materials beginning in 2019
More than a year after announcing their concerns, the USGA and R&A are proposing regulations on green-reading materials/yardage books.
The governing bodies emphasized “the need for a player to read greens based on their own judgement” in a press release.
The regulations will be finalized in a published “interpretation” of Rule 4.3 (Use of Equipment) and adopted Jan. 1, 2019, following a six-week feedback period.
David Rickman, Executive Director – Governance at The R&A, said,
“We have looked carefully at the use of these green-reading materials and the extremely detailed information they provide and our view is that they tip the balance too far away from the essential skill and judgment required to read subtle slopes on the greens. It is important to be clear, however, that we still regard the use of yardage books and handwritten notes to be an entirely appropriate part of the game.”
Here are the key elements, per the USGA release.
Minimum Slope Indication Limit: A minimum slope indication limit of 4 percent (2.29 degrees) is proposed (this includes lines, arrows, numbers or any other indicators); this will have the effect of eliminating such indicators of slope from those areas of the putting green where the hole is most likely to be positioned (which tend to be cut on reasonably flat sections of the putting green with a degree of slope of less than 3.5 percent – or 2 degrees). This proposed limit also equates roughly with the amount of slope that is readily visible to the naked eye.
Maximum Scale Limit: A maximum scale of 3/8 inch to 5 yards (1:480) is proposed; this will limit the size in print form to a pocket-sized publication and has the effect of restricting the space for handwritten notes (also referenced below).
Indicative Information: General information that is included in traditional yardage books or course guides, such as basic illustrations that show the outline of the putting green and include indicative information like the tops of ridges or general slopes, will continue to be permitted.
Handwritten Notes: Handwritten notes will continue to be allowed, but such notes cannot be used to create either a direct copy or a facsimile (replica) of a detailed green map.
If you’d like to know what this theory might look like in practice, check out these illustrations from the USGA.
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News
Tour Rundown: Six-pack of tourneys follows Masters
Brazil and Texas were kindred souls this week, at least when it came to weather. Both regions experienced torrential delays, and three tournaments were held up. The LPGA, PGA Tour Americas, and PGA Tour Champions were compelled to reduce play or work extra holes into Sunday. As if that weren’t enough, South Carolina and the PGA Tour fell victim to nature’s wrath, with lightning postponing the conclusion of the event to Monday.
The year’s first women’s major championship was celebrated in Texas. The Chevron is gaining a bit of tradition in its second year after relocation. This year’s event culminated in the continued coronation of the game’s current best. The Korn Ferry Tour saw a top-twenty performance from a 15-year old amateur, while the second event of the week on the big tour found a winner in the Dominican Republic. Six events is more than a handful, so let’s get right to it, with this week’s (delayed) Tour Rundown.
LPGA @ Chevron Championship: Korda corrals second major title
The winter of 2022-2023 seems so distant for current Nelly Korda. A mysterious ailment sapped all of her energy, just as the world appeared to have finally emerged from the pandemic. We never quite secured the complete information that we desired, but no one can say that any of us deserved to know more than Nelly wished to share. One thing is for certain: Nelly Korda has returned to top form, and the world number one golfer is at least one level above anyone else on tour.
Korda began her 2024 campaign with a January victory in the Drive One Championship. In her next start, in March, she continued her assault on the record books, with a win at the Se Ri Pak. She won again the following week, at the Ford, then defeated Leona Maguire in the final match at the T-Mobile Match Play, for a fourth consecutive victory. Would the increased hype around a major championship have an impact on her game? Well, no.
Korda began play at the Chevron Championship with a score of 68. She trailed Lauren Coughlin by two after 18 holes, but caught her with a second-round 69. Coughlin would ultimately tie for third spot with Brooke Henderson. Henderson played with Korda on day four, but the middle third of the round was her undoing. Making a late move was Maja Stark. House Stark closed with birdies at 17 and 18 to reach 11 under par. Both Korda and Strak played the final three days in identical numbers: 69 each day.
Korda held a firm hand on the tournament over the course of the final day. She stood minus-four for the round through ten holes, before a bit of sloppy play made things competitive again. Bogeys at 11 and 15 opened the door a wee bit for Stark. Korda was equal to the test, however, and closed stylishly with birdie at 18.
Safely around the green on the 72nd hole
Watch @NellyKorda‘s historic finish now on NBC! pic.twitter.com/1zaAYtbaCz
— LPGA (@LPGA) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour 1 @ RBC: Scottie, so hottie!
Nelly isn’t the only golfer on fire, although Scottie Scheffler still has a ways to go to match her. Scheffler proved this week that he has a game for all courses. After winning comfortably at lengthy Augusta National, Scheffler shifted gears and game to the wee Sea Pines course, and won again. That’s two weeks in a row for the man from New Jersey/Texas, so let’s learn how he did it.
Scheffler totaled 69 on day one, and found himself six shots behind leader J.T. Poston. Scheffler revealed that his teacher, Randy Smith, would tell him that he didn’t need to be the best 15 year-old; just the best 25 year-old. It was easy, then, to play the long game and consider all 72 holes, instead of just 18. Scheffler improved to 65 on Friday, and then went even lower on Saturday. His 63 moved him to the top of the board, and caused the golfverse to wonder if Scheffler would win for a second consecutive week.
Sunday saw all the chasers fall away. Scores between 70 and 72 from Patrick Rodgers, Collin Morikawa, and Sepp Straka meant that others would need to seize the day, if Scheffler were to do more than coast. Wyndham Clark and Justin Thomas each moved inside the top five with fourth-round 65s, but no one ever got close enough to the world number one. The win was Scheffler’s 10th on tour, and made him the betting favorite for next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Scottie Scheffler can save par from just about anywhere.
Including the water ?
(Presented by @CDWCorp) pic.twitter.com/RUqL2sBrr9
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 22, 2024
PGA Tour 2 @ Corales Puntacana: Baton Boy claims 8th Tour triumph
If you’ve ever seen Billy Horschel toss a club, you know that he doesn’t do so in anger. More likely is a calculated, soaring arc, paired with a look of fractured disbelief, followed by a quick catch of the cudgel. Ergo, Baton Boy. This week on the island of Hispaniola, the native of Grant, Florida, outworked and outhustled everyone else on Sunday. Horschel gathered seven birdies and an eagle, on the way to a 63 and a 23-under par total.
The former Florida Gator zipped past the four golfers in front of him, and left the remaining field in the rear-view mirror. Horschel’s round was two shots better than anyone else, and moved him two shots ahead of third-round leader Wesley Bryan. One of the famed Bryan Brothers, Wes closed with birdie at the last to post a 68 that would have won the week on any other day.
Walking it in with a fist pump ?@BillyHo_Golf is 9-under on the day and leads by two @CoralesChamp. pic.twitter.com/N6rjL1GGGA
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 21, 2024
Korn Ferry Tour @ LeCom Suncoast: It’s Widing in extra holes
Miles Russell probably won’t have to serve detention for ditching class on Thursday and Friday. The high school freshman made his KFT debut, survived the 36-hole cut, and toyed with a top-ten finish. He ultimately tied for 20th at 14-under par, six shots behind the three co-leaders. My guess is that Epstein’s Mom will write him a note, and he’ll get a pass. By finishing top-25, Russell earned a spot in next week’s event. Yikes!
Back to the top of the board. Patrick Cover, Steven Fisk, and Tim Widing all found their way to the magic number of -20. Fisk made birdie at the last, after bogeys at 16 and 17. Cover had three bogeys on the back nine, but a birdie at 14 was enough to get him to overtime. Widing was plus-one on the day through four, but played interstellar golf over the final 14. Six birdies moved him from Russell-ville to extra time.
The trio scurried to the 18th tee, where Cover drove into a fairway bunker. He was unable to reach the green with his approach, made bogey, and exited the overtime session. Widing and Fisk returned to the final deck once more, and matters were resolved. Fisk was unable to convert a long par putt, and Widing (pronounced VEE-ding) tapped in for his first KFT title.
The feeling of relief when you know you won. ???
Tim Widing is now a champion on the #KornFerryTour. pic.twitter.com/K0vgiZ21UG
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour Americas @ Brasil Open: Mr. Anderson finds a way
Golf is a funny game. Matthew Anderson held a lead with one round to play. He made six pars on Sunday, and sprinkled the rest of his card with birdies and bogeys. In complete contrast, Ollie Osborne played consistently on the day, posting four birdies and zero bogeys. Connor Godsey was not far off Osborne’s pace, with seven birdies and but two bogeys on the scorecard. So, of course, Matthew Anderson won by a stroke over Osborne and Godsey.
Not how, but how many, is another one of those platitudes that we all learn early on. Despite five bogeys through his first 14 holes, Anderson summoned the defiant grit to make birdie at the 71st and 72nd holes. After making deuce at the penultimat hole, Anderson’s swerving effort at the last looked as if it should miss low, but it had enough pace to stay inside the hole and fall for a closing four at the par-five finisher.
Birdie-birdie finish to secure the ?
Mississauga-native Matthew Anderson is your 69th ECP Brazil Open Champion. pic.twitter.com/ONE8hIUjeS
— PGA TOUR Americas (@PGATOURAmericas) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour Champions @ Invited Celebrity: Broadhurst stands tall
What do you call a tournament that begins on Friday, takes Saturday off, and finishes on Sunday? Fortunate is one adjective to use. A weather system moved through Texas this weekend, and made a mess of things in Irving. After Thomas Bjorn signed for 64 on day one, rain and all things counter-productive moved through the Las Colinas resort, ensuring that Saturday would be nothing more than a rest day. When Sunday arrived, conditions had improved, and the game was on. Bjorn was unable to preserve his Friday magic, although he did record a 70 for -8. He finished in a third-place tie with Y.E. Yang.
David Toms, the 2001 PGA Championship victor, presented Sunday’s low round, and moved to 10-under par. Toms made one mistake on the day. He lived in the rough on the 9th hole, ultimately making bogey. The rest of the day was immaculate, as seven birdies came his way, resulting in a six-under par 65. Only one golfer was able to surpass Toms, and that was Paul Broadhurst.
Broadhurst nearly matched Toms for daily honors. His mistake came early, with bogey at the second. He bounced back with eagle at the third, and added three more birdies for 66 and 11-under par. Over his first three seasons on the Tour Champions, Broadhurst won five times, including two major titles. His fifth win came in 2018, making this win his first in six years. A long time coming, for sure, but well earned.
Looking at the hole is working for @PBroadhurstGolf ?
He leads by one after a clutch birdie on 15 @InvitedCC. pic.twitter.com/S0rhcVwaeE
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) April 21, 2024
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News
Morning 9: Rory: I’m not joining LIV | Masters ratings | Nelly: We just need a stage
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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Tee-Bone
Aug 2, 2018 at 1:48 pm
At this point, the USGA is completely dysfunctional. Green maps do not read the green for you by indicating the correct starting line. That must still be done by the player. Green maps do not remove that skill. So I ask…WHY?
david
Aug 2, 2018 at 6:41 am
Putting a line on a golf ball to putt in my opinion is cheating; it runs contrary to the spirit of the game. We don’t allow players to use alignment rods on the fairways to line up a shot, so why do we allow a player to use a line? And it slows play immensely. I’m all for banning yardage books completely, green reading is a skill; this is like allowing calculators for students in a math test.
Frankie
Aug 2, 2018 at 7:07 pm
Would you rather take a trigonometry test with abnormal angles (not 45, 90, 135, 180, etc.) and have to figure out approximate sin, cos, and tan for those angles without a calculator? Hmmmm….
Joe
Aug 1, 2018 at 6:35 pm
The game of golf should be a game of athleticism and judgement, not a game for physic majors. KISS = Keep It Simple Stupid.
GolfDonkey
Aug 1, 2018 at 5:49 pm
This is all so dumb. No need to ban the books
Tom54
Aug 1, 2018 at 2:06 pm
I believe the green reading books just adds another layer of preparation for a putt. By the time they consult the book,visually look at all angles,precisely line it up with the line on the ball and then hit the putt a lot of time has gone by. I agree that laser finders should be allowed. Last player to hit in group from fairway should already have yardage when it’s his turn. How many times has the camera gone to that player and they’re still looking at the book? I know they are playing for lots of money but Rodney said it best with “Let’s go while we’re young”
Tartan Golf Travel
Aug 1, 2018 at 1:21 pm
Not sure why they didn’t ban the books entirely but outside of that I like the rule. Green reading is a skill. Give the guys rangefinders….yardage is common knowledge. The most boring part of watching golf is when the caddie and they player are both just looking at a book!
Ray Neese
Aug 1, 2018 at 10:13 pm
They should ban caddies from reading as well and lining up shots. Even though they move before a player hits,lining up is part of the skill of golf.
Jack Nash
Aug 1, 2018 at 12:57 pm
It’s about time they did this. Should have been nipped in the bud right off. Green reading is an art, and how many players have been aided just like the long & belly putters.
Funkaholic
Aug 1, 2018 at 10:13 am
I wonder how many strokes I could shave if I had this kind of information, conditions and time on my local public course.
Jack Nash
Aug 1, 2018 at 12:55 pm
I think there’s even golf apps for ur phone out now.
Funkaholic
Aug 1, 2018 at 1:19 pm
Yes but, I don’t have the time to stand over my ball 5 minutes before every shot with a personal adviser helping me make my decisions on a perfectly manicured course. The Pros are spoiled.
OninTwoDowninOne
Aug 2, 2018 at 3:42 am
Yes, I agree they are spoiled. Play on well conditioned courses, follow perfect weather conditions, a spotter every shot, never lose a ball, an adviser for every shot, get relief from impossible situations just by asking, Ball deflectors in play, food on the course.
doofer
Aug 1, 2018 at 2:04 am
Aw shucks… you can goose up the ball but you can’t use green reading stuff?!!
CrashTestDummy
Jul 31, 2018 at 11:39 pm
I like this change. Puts more responsibility on the player to setup their own shots. Also, like that they disallowed caddies lining up the player before hitting. The responsibility should be on the player to read a putt and line themselves up.
Bruce Ferguson
Jul 31, 2018 at 7:08 pm
At least you don’t have to worry about green-reading aids at the US Open.
Balls just roll off the greens, anyway . . .
Travis
Jul 31, 2018 at 7:01 pm
This is making the green reading books so complicated… and what, are they going to search every green reading book every round?!
Why not just ban them entirely?
Yet another way the USGA makes this whole situation WAY more complicated than it has to be… Mike Davis is a total tard.
DB
Aug 1, 2018 at 8:33 am
I also tend to think Mike Davis is a nerd who should be shoved back into a locker, but… this is a welcome change. Lots of people have had issues with the growing complexity of these books.
There are restrictions on clubs and various other things – and nobody has to inspect every club every round. Everyone knows the rules and they follow the rules. I think it’s pretty clear. You can have a green chart showing ridges and false-fronts, general direction, etc. But once you start mapping it out with precise slope measurements you’ve broken the rule.
Wiger Toods
Jul 31, 2018 at 6:58 pm
It isn’t about the data. It’s about slow play.
Anders Loch
Aug 1, 2018 at 10:17 am
Green books actually speed up play by allowing one to make a read faster.
Jesper Pickering
Jul 31, 2018 at 5:52 pm
They should just ban any lines on the balls. It takes way too much time to align line on ball, and it removes the skills to properly setup and aim. It’s fine by me with the measurements/green books and that not. You have the same insight if it is your home course
ChipNRun
Jul 31, 2018 at 2:05 pm
I served as marshal on the No. 14 for the 2013 Senior PGA at Bellerive CC.
During a practice round, one player finished the hole and broke out some real hardware. He had a carpenter’s level, a 12-inch wooden ruler and a small looseleaf notebook. He took about six level readings around each of the proposed cup positions, rolled the ball around by hand, and furiously took notes.
After about five minutes, his playing partner said, “Hey, the next group wants to hit in…”
End of sad story: He failed to make 36-hole cut by five strokes.
—————-
* Yes, Bellerive is hosting the 100th PGA Championship in a few days.
Tom
Jul 31, 2018 at 12:33 pm
What if the player makes his own version of a green reading book, like the yardage books they currently are allowed to use? Will the USGA subcontract TSA agents to body cavity search players?
Instead, the USGA should put time expectations in place and severely penalize(disqualify)those who can’t play 18 holes in 4 hours. It’s not that complicated.
3puttPar
Jul 31, 2018 at 2:09 pm
A tournament round in 4 hours has never happened, and will never happen. This unreal expectation of putting a time limit on golf has become ridiculous.
If you cant set aside ample time to play or watch golf, find something else to do.
Joe
Aug 1, 2018 at 12:59 pm
#ShotClockMasters
MJB-Golf
Aug 2, 2018 at 6:48 am
True….Fastest 3-ball round on Thursday 3h 48min. Average time cut off each group was recorded to 33min. Did we find it stressful? No, not even the slow players. But we had to get on with what we are supposed to do out there, check yardage, wind direction, make a decision, grove it in and pull the trigger. No time for second and third thoughts about every single decision made. Great format and equal time for all players making it a fair tournament. “Thumbs Up” 🙂
PT
Aug 2, 2018 at 12:50 pm
Did you walk? Use a rangefinder? Or that silly thing on your cart? And were millions of dollars and FedEx Cup points, and qualification status at stake?
Trying walking off every yardage next time and walk that course. And then see if you can still shoot your own course record next time
Greg V
Jul 31, 2018 at 12:21 pm
Will the makers of these green reading books sue the USGA?
I saw a phone app that had the same technology. They must be hugely disappointed.
GFan
Jul 31, 2018 at 11:32 am
Fantastic news from the USGA + R&A. If they could also prohibit the caddies from helping to read greens than we would see some even more interesting results from those professional players.
Dave
Jul 31, 2018 at 1:18 pm
The caddie is part of the player…. read the rule book.