Rangefinders Prove Effective... Golf Round Times Shortened

PGA Tour Announces Results of Rangefinder Trial
Improved Pace for Second Shots and Play on Par-5 Holes
Time Reduced by 4.9 Seconds from Fairway, 5.1 Seconds from Rough

The duration of golf rounds has been reduced.

This is due to the use of rangefinders. On June 25 (local time), the PGA Tour announced that a trial run of rangefinders had demonstrated their effectiveness in shortening the duration of play. Starting with the RBC Heritage in April and continuing through the Myrtle Beach Classic in May, the use of rangefinders was temporarily permitted at six tournaments. A survey of 297 players and caddies who used rangefinders during this period showed improvements in the pace of second shots and play on par-5 holes.

Justin Thomas is using a rangefinder on the 17th hole of the second round at the RBC Heritage last April. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

In particular, the time taken to hit a shot from 40 to 60 yards from the green was reduced by an average of 4.9 seconds from the fairway and 5.1 seconds from the rough. Typically, players measure this distance by walking to and from the intended landing spot?a process known as pacing. The use of rangefinders appears to have reduced the need for such pacing.

However, the PGA Tour stated that it is difficult to calculate an exact figure for the reduction in total round time, as conditions vary by player, round, and course. Tyler Dennis, Chief Competitions Officer of the PGA Tour, said, "Reflecting the positive responses confirmed in the survey and data, we may introduce the use of rangefinders as early as during the current season."

The LPGA Tour has allowed players and caddies to use rangefinders during play since 2021. The KLPGA Tour also permits the use of rangefinders during competition. The PGA Championship, organized by the PGA of America (not the PGA Tour), has also allowed rangefinders since 2021.