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USGA Says ‘No’ To Slope Measurement for Posting Handicap Scores

March 2nd MADISON, WI – The latest clarification of USGA Decision 14-3/0.5 has been announced by the United States Golf Association. Decision 14-3/0.5 took effect on January 1, and allows a club or tournament committees to institute a Local Rule allowing the use of electronic measurement rangefinders that measure distance only during all types of rounds.

“The USGA has done a necessary service by clarifying this decision,” said Rob O’Loughlin, President of Laser Link Golf. “There has been some confusion, and this should help to set the record straight.”

Recently, questions have been raised regarding the posting of USGA Handicap scores while using a device that measures conditions (e.g. wind or gradient) other than distance. Specifically, the most important question has been -- ‘Will a player be allowed to post scores if he/she uses a device that measures conditions other than distance?’ The answer was clarified in a statement by the USGA, and simply put, that answer is no. The issue is addressed in USGA Handicap Decision 5-1f/2, and a statement released on www.usga.org states that “…under the Rules of Golf, golfers must NOT use distance-measuring devices for handicap purposes or in competition that are capable of gauging or measuring other conditions that might affect play, even if such a function is not used.” The full text is available at www.usga.org.

“Our company has always focused on measuring distance to the flagstick only, and it was our belief that this was going to be the way the USGA would decide,” states O’Loughlin. “They are doing what’s best for the game. They have drawn a line in the sand, much the same way they did with ERC. Allowing devices that measure all kinds of variables seems to only complicate a game that is already complicated enough. We want to simplify distance measurement, which in turn will help to speed up the game.”