English amateur association set to allow
electronic devices in 2009 championship season
Starting in 2009, top-ranking amateurs competing in English Golf Union competitions will be allowed to use distance-measuring devices during its 2009 schedule, according to Allistair Tait of Golfweek.
The use of rangefinders or distance-measuring devices has been patchy across the British Isles until now. Use of devices has been at the discretion of individual counties and individual organizations. Some golf clubs allow their use while most don’t.
The British PGA allows their use, as does the EuroPro Tour in Great Britain. With a few exceptions, distance meters have been disallowed in most amateur events until now.
For example, distance-measuring devices have been allowed in the Berkshire Trophy for the past two years, but not in the Brabazon Trophy (the English Amateur Stroke Play Championship). The Berkshire Golf Club runs the Berkshire Trophy, while the EGU runs the Brabazon Trophy.
Gary Wolstenholme played in the Berkshire Trophy the past two years and found that for the first time in many years he had a decent break between the two rounds played each of the two days.
“I’d say play quickened up by at least 25 minutes through using distance measures,” Wolstenholme told Golfweek.
The EGU made the decision after a recommendation from its championship committee to the board of directors.
Devices that calculate distance only will be permitted. Those providing other information such as wind speed, temperature and elevation, will not be allowed.
Distance measuring devices have not been approved for R&A events such as the British Amateur or British Boys Championships. Nor have the Scottish, Irish or Welsh Golf unions approved the devices as yet.
While some regional and state golf associations and PGA Sections have adopted Range Finder policies for their events in the U.S., the United States Golf Association, PGA of America and PGA Tour do not allow electronic measuring devices in their national championships.