Just a few weeks ago, the world of professional golf was rocked by controversy surrounding the PGA Tour’s alleged attempts to control LIV Golf’s “The Duels” event. Reports emerged that the PGA Tour had been threatening creators involved with the event with potential future suspensions if they participated. The community reacted strongly, with many criticizing the tour’s move as desperate and absurd. Lee Westwood even chimed in with a sarcastic comment, suggesting that the PGA Tour commissioner, Jay Monahan, might ban the admin who let the information out.

As the drama unfolded, Westwood confirmed the reports, stating that the tour had indeed taken action against participants, except for one golfer, Wesley Bryan. Due to his limited tour status, he got banned from the PGA Tour for one year. “Because of the backlash, they took them back from everyone apart from Wes. Obviously have to look consistent with his punishment, or they’ll be in a deep hole.” The tour’s methods don’t stop there – they’re also partnering with independent media outlets, raising concerns about the integrity of golf journalism. With media outlets committed to the organizations they report on, partnerships can lead to biased reporting and a journalistic crisis. The current power struggle in golf is causing serious damage, and it’s unclear if the sport will ever fully recover. The question on everyone’s mind — What’s next for professional golf?

Well, we might have the answer to that. The RBC Heritage is set to feature a significant change this week, as rangefinders will be allowed in competition for the first time, as part of the PGA Tour’s initiative to address the pace of play. Additionally, the Korn Ferry Tour will be testing a new penalty stroke system this week, further highlighting the tour’s efforts to improve the game’s pace and efficiency. “Part of PGA Tour initiative to address pace of play. New penalty stroke testing also in play on Korn Ferry Tour this week”, read the tweet.

Well, don’t know about others, but golf fans are thoroughly enjoying the new update and heaping praise on Monahan for it.

Netizens find the new PGA Tour update ‘interesting’

Starting off strong with what one fan said, “About damn time”, while the other said, “Rangefinders for pros will be interesting”, and well, it will be interesting indeed because rangefinders are a bit of a mixed bag in golf – while the Rules of Golf allow them for measuring distance, the PGA Tour and major championships generally prohibit their use during competition rounds due to features like elevation changes and “plays-like” distances that could give players an unfair advantage. However, there are some exceptions, such as certain events like the PGA Championship and practice rounds, where caddies can use them.

One fan said, “Rangefinders should absolutely be allowed & should be done a long time ago”, while the other echoed the same sentiments and wrote, “Range finders should be allowed from here forward, makes zero sense not to.” Well, there are cases where rangefinders are allowed in golf, and their popularity stems from providing quick and accurate yardages that can improve the game’s flow. Although they’ve been used in various levels of golf for years, their acceptability in professional golf has been debated. The game’s governing bodies have gradually opened up to rangefinders, starting with allowing their use in certain amateur championships in 2013 and later amending the Rules of Golf in 2019 to permit distance-measuring devices in professional golf, albeit with limitations – they can be used for distance and direction, but not for calculating elevation changes.

One fan wrote something that may be going on everyone’s mind with the latest announcement, as they wrote, “Anybody actually think using rangefinders instead of the book will help much on the PGA Tour?” So, do you think they will help? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!