Golf's governing bodies introduce NEW RULE | What will Bryson DeChambeau think?!
The R&A and USGA introduce model local rule to further limit the use of green-reading materials
Golf’s governing bodies have made available a Model Local Rule (MLR) to further limit the use of Green-Reading Materials.
Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson are just two notable PGA Tour players who have been seen using green-reading books on the course in recent times, so we wonder what they will make of the latest news.
MLR G-11 enables a committee to limit players to using only the yardage book that it has approved for use in the competition.
This local rule is intended only for the highest levels of competitive golf and, even then, only for competitions where it is realistic for the committee to undertake an approval process for yardage books. It will be available starting 1 January 2022.
The local rule gives a committee the ability to establish an officially approved yardage book for a competition so that the diagrams of putting greens show only minimal detail (such as significant slopes, tiers or false edges that indicate sections of greens).
Golf’s governing bodies have made available a Model Local Rule (MLR) to further limit the use of Green-Reading Materials.
This local rule is intended only for the highest levels of competitive golf and will be available starting January 1, 2022.
— USGA (@USGA) December 1, 2021
In addition, the local rule limits the handwritten notes that players and caddies are allowed to add to the approved yardage book.
The purpose behind the local rule is to ensure that players and caddies use only their eye and feel to help them read the line of play on the putting green.
The R&A and the USGA developed MLR G-11 in response to feedback from several professional tours.
The MLR, along with question-and-answer guidance, can be found here.
As the local rule should only be adopted at the highest levels of competitive golf, all other golfers will continue to be able to use green-reading tools so long as they meet the requirements established in 2019.
For more information on the current Rule see here.
