Report: PGA Tour makes up its mind on rangefinders

The PGA Tour are reportedly keen on allowing distance-measuring devices to be used permanently. 

In January, the established circuit announced rangefinders would be permitted over a four-week trial period to see how their use would affect pace-of-play. 

The move followed widespread criticism about the amount of time rounds were taking in the early part of the season. 

Golf fans, pundits and analysts appeared to reach their limit during the staging of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. 

Groups were taking in excess of six hours to play 18 holes and it even led to CBS' veteran on-course commentator Dottie Pepper to break ranks.

"I think we're starting to need a new word to talk about this pace-of-play issue, and it's 'respect'," she said. 

The initial results of the trial period were confirmed to a group of reporters on a conference call before the 2025 Rocket Classic. 

Athlon Sports reported:

• The Tour reviewed ShotLink data relevant to the use of DMDs with feedback from 297 players and caddies.
• The survey's trends showed that approach shots and all par-5s trended faster during the period in which DMDs were permitted.
• Data also showed that shot times for 40-to-60-yard shots from the green were faster, with 4.9 seconds saved from the fairway and 5.1 seconds saved from the rough.

Moreover, about 75 per cent of players on both the PGA and Korn Ferry Tour said they support the use of DMDs on a permanent basis. 

The results will now be reviewed by the players advisory council and the policy board before being voted on. 

Andy Weitz, the Tour's chief marketing and communications officer, said: "It's an area we're committed to addressing on behalf of those fans as well as our players and our partners

"We know there are a lot of things that go into the speed of play equation, but we're committed to finding the right solutions and tackling it from every angle."

More transparency on the horizon

It was previously speculated that the Tour could start naming and shaming the slowpokes. 

Justin Thomas, who admitted he is not the quickest, was in favour of the move, as well as stroking players for receiving bad times. 

Beginning this week, some pace of play information will be revealed on PGATour.com. 

The average time for the field to play each hole and group times for nine and 18 holes will be published. 

Huge changes on Korn Ferry Tour

The developmental Korn Ferry Tour have also been testing the use of rangefinders in competition in addittion to a revised pace of play policy. 

The policy will be in place for the remainder of the season which sees players receiving a two-shot penalty if they receive two 'bad times'. 

Gary Young, the senior vice president of competitions and special projects, said: "Hearing from the Korn Ferry Tour and Tour of Americas referees, there's no doubt that the modified pace of play policy has had a big impact.

"The number of timings that have taken place, that number has been reduced. During the same time period in comparison year over year, they went from having 10 bad times during that time period on the Korn Ferry Tour to simply one bad time with this change in policy. 

"There's no doubt about it that the warnings themselves, when a referee goes out to warn a group, it's carrying a lot more weight."