‘About Time’ – Golf Fans Welcome the New Changes Implemented by the PGA Tour

A couple of days ago, a new maximum length for clubs was introduced; Before that, there was a thorough review of amateur status laws. As 2021 draws closes to its conclusion, the PGA Tour seems to have put an end to fancy and over-the-top green-reading books as players have been doing. This change will be implemented in around two months, meaning the players will start 2022 with some new guidelines.

This change for the yardage and greens books sounds technical, but might be feasible to check up on from January 1, 2022. In the end, the PGA Tour will require players and their caddies to exhibit the necessary skill, talent, and have the instinct to pay well.

Is the new PGA Tour rule change a good idea?

Now the statement shared by Golf Digest’s Brian Wacker on Twitter states that the PGA Tour, along with other committees and governing bodies involved, want a “return to a position where players and caddies use only their skill, judgment and feel along with any information gained through experience, preparation and practice to read the line of play on the putting green.” 

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As an alternative, USGA and R&A will provide a Committee Approved Yardage Book that the players are supposed to use during the tournament. While the basic information about slopes and other features will remain the same, there will be restrictions on how the book may or may not be used. Additionally, they will also work with Mark Long and other yardage book providers to develop the above-mentioned book.

What will the limitations be?

• A player can use handwritten notes that might help.
• Caddies or players can make notes. However, only notes from prior experiences are allowed.
• Notes from TV broadcast not allowed.
• One can transfer old handwritten notes to the new book.
• Devices, levels, or other devices used to gather information are not allowed.
• Information from another sourcebook cannot be copied into the newly approved one.

Fans react

Reactions to this news have certainly been interesting. While it is a rule people might appreciate, verifying at every event might not be possible. In the end, it solely depends on how a player chooses to act and inform.

“Please tell me how they’re going to police the notes that can’t be transferred from old yardage books,” wrote one fan, who seemed to voice the thoughts of many. Many pointed out that some players are different from others, and might not have the same information. This might be true for rookies and veterans, who have seen courses for a different amount of time.

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Many referred to the current techniques as ‘legalized cheating’, which also involves lasers and other fancy types of equipment. Some even offered up suggestions, offering some tweaks here and there.

Having said that, the changes will be implemented from January 1, 2022 onwards.