“I think the only way to have a significant impact on the pace of play… there’s going to be a significant difference, probably over an hour difference in pace of play.” These were the words of World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, who believed that allowing rangefinders in PGA Tour events wouldn’t make a significant difference in speeding up slow play. Scheffler thought that the real solution lay in having tournaments operate two-ball groups throughout the whole week, rather than relying on technology to shave off a few minutes.

He pointed out that the biggest changes in pace of play came from going from three guys to two guys in a pairing, making it easier to get around the golf course. Scheffler also emphasized that the distance walking from green to tee was a big factor in saving time, and that some golf courses were simply more efficient to navigate than others. Rather than focusing on the pace of play, Scheffler thought the guardians of the game should spend their time encouraging more people to take up golf. “It’s a great game. It’s a great sport. You learn a lot of life lessons playing golf,” he said.

However, not everyone shared Scheffler’s views. Webb Simpson initially opposed their use, questioning their impact on the pace of play. Now, PGA Tour’s Cole Hammer disagreed with Scheffler’s stance on rangefinders, sharing his experience with the device. According to Hammer, his experience with the device during a recent tournament in Florida was positive. He believed the rangefinder saved around 30 seconds, allowing him and his caddie to get into the shot earlier. With the precise distance measurements, they could focus on other important factors like wind and shot selection.

“This past week in Florida, you know, I just got the range finder out and buzzed the flag. And, uh, that saved us probably 30 seconds at least. And so we were, my caddie and I were able to get into the shot earlier, if that makes sense. And so, uh, I had the number we would subtract how far, uh, the pin was from the front of the green, and then bang. And then all we’re worried about is the wind and shot selection. So in the long run, I think it’s, it should improve the pace of play, especially if you hit it offline.”

Hammer’s experience with rangefinders seemed to contradict Scheffler’s skepticism, highlighting the ongoing debate about the role of technology in improving the pace of play in golf. But it isn’t the first time rangefinders have been the topic of controversy in the golf world, because this debate is as old as it gets.

The 2021 PGA Championship: The start of it all

While not universally permitted, distance measuring devices were allowed for the first time during a major at the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island. The decision, announced in February 2021, aims to speed up play, but many players and caddies are skeptical. Some think it will have the opposite effect, particularly on a challenging course like Kiawah Island. Bryson DeChambeau noted that double-checking numbers could slow play, saying, “I think it may slow play down in certain scenarios where, if you’re trying to double-check [the numbers], that may not be great.” Webb Simpson and his caddie Paul Tesori expressed concerns about accuracy, with Tesori stating, “The last number we get is the pin, and what happens if the rangefinder is more than a yard off? Then we have to redo all the other numbers to fit what we’re trying to do with the shot.”

Rangefinders have come a long way since their inception. The first laser rangefinder was invented in 1965, and Bushnell launched its first golf-specific device in 1995. Since then, technology has improved on accuracy significantly. However, not all features will be useful in the PGA Championship. According to the Rules of Golf, only distance and direction information will be permitted. Players like Jason Day plan to stick with traditional yardage books, saying, “I’ll probably still do the yardage book, me and the caddie.” Jordan Spieth, on the other hand, will use rangefinders for confirmation, stating, “We have been checking our yardage books and cover numbers and back-of-green numbers for eight years now. It’s not going to be we just step up, shoot it, and go.”

But the Masters at Augusta National has maintained its traditional stance by not permitting rangefinders. Justin Thomas expressed concerns that rangefinders take away from the role of caddies and the value of practice rounds, saying, “I don’t really like them. I think it takes away an advantage of having a good caddie that maybe goes out there and does the work beforehand.” And the contrast in opinion on the subject is still among the golfers when it comes to rangefinders So, what are your thoughts on the topic? Let us know in the comment section below!