News

USGA will restrict green-reading materials beginning in 2019

Published

8 years ago

Jul 31, 2018

More than a year after announcing their concerns, the USGA and R&A are proposing regulations on green-reading materials/yardage books.

The governing bodies emphasized “the need for a player to read greens based on their own judgement” in a press release.

The regulations will be finalized in a published “interpretation” of Rule 4.3 (Use of Equipment) and adopted Jan. 1, 2019, following a six-week feedback period.

David Rickman, Executive Director – Governance at The R&A, said,

“We have looked carefully at the use of these green-reading materials and the extremely detailed information they provide and our view is that they tip the balance too far away from the essential skill and judgment required to read subtle slopes on the greens. It is important to be clear, however, that we still regard the use of yardage books and handwritten notes to be an entirely appropriate part of the game.”

Here are the key elements, per the USGA release.

Minimum Slope Indication Limit: A minimum slope indication limit of 4 percent (2.29 degrees) is proposed (this includes lines, arrows, numbers or any other indicators); this will have the effect of eliminating such indicators of slope from those areas of the putting green where the hole is most likely to be positioned (which tend to be cut on reasonably flat sections of the putting green with a degree of slope of less than 3.5 percent – or 2 degrees). This proposed limit also equates roughly with the amount of slope that is readily visible to the naked eye.

Maximum Scale Limit: A maximum scale of 3/8 inch to 5 yards (1:480) is proposed; this will limit the size in print form to a pocket-sized publication and has the effect of restricting the space for handwritten notes (also referenced below).

Indicative Information: General information that is included in traditional yardage books or course guides, such as basic illustrations that show the outline of the putting green and include indicative information like the tops of ridges or general slopes, will continue to be permitted.

Handwritten Notes: Handwritten notes will continue to be allowed, but such notes cannot be used to create either a direct copy or a facsimile (replica) of a detailed green map.

If you’d like to know what this theory might look like in practice, check out these illustrations from the USGA.

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Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

30 Comments

Tee-Bone

Aug 2, 2018 at 1:48 pm

At this point, the USGA is completely dysfunctional. Green maps do not read the green for you by indicating the correct starting line. That must still be done by the player. Green maps do not remove that skill. So I ask…WHY?

Reply Report comment
david

Aug 2, 2018 at 6:41 am

Putting a line on a golf ball to putt in my opinion is cheating; it runs contrary to the spirit of the game. We don’t allow players to use alignment rods on the fairways to line up a shot, so why do we allow a player to use a line? And it slows play immensely. I’m all for banning yardage books completely, green reading is a skill; this is like allowing calculators for students in a math test.

Reply Report comment
- Frankie
  
  Aug 2, 2018 at 7:07 pm
  
  Would you rather take a trigonometry test with abnormal angles (not 45, 90, 135, 180, etc.) and have to figure out approximate sin, cos, and tan for those angles without a calculator? Hmmmm….
  
  Reply Report comment
Joe

Aug 1, 2018 at 6:35 pm

The game of golf should be a game of athleticism and judgement, not a game for physic majors. KISS = Keep It Simple Stupid.

Reply Report comment
GolfDonkey

Aug 1, 2018 at 5:49 pm

This is all so dumb. No need to ban the books

Reply Report comment
Tom54

Aug 1, 2018 at 2:06 pm

I believe the green reading books just adds another layer of preparation for a putt. By the time they consult the book,visually look at all angles,precisely line it up with the line on the ball and then hit the putt a lot of time has gone by. I agree that laser finders should be allowed. Last player to hit in group from fairway should already have yardage when it’s his turn. How many times has the camera gone to that player and they’re still looking at the book? I know they are playing for lots of money but Rodney said it best with “Let’s go while we’re young”

Reply Report comment
Tartan Golf Travel

Aug 1, 2018 at 1:21 pm

Not sure why they didn’t ban the books entirely but outside of that I like the rule. Green reading is a skill. Give the guys rangefinders….yardage is common knowledge. The most boring part of watching golf is when the caddie and they player are both just looking at a book!

Reply Report comment
- Ray Neese
  
  Aug 1, 2018 at 10:13 pm
  
  They should ban caddies from reading as well and lining up shots. Even though they move before a player hits,lining up is part of the skill of golf.
  
  Reply Report comment
Jack Nash

Aug 1, 2018 at 12:57 pm

It’s about time they did this. Should have been nipped in the bud right off. Green reading is an art, and how many players have been aided just like the long & belly putters.

Reply Report comment
Funkaholic

Aug 1, 2018 at 10:13 am

I wonder how many strokes I could shave if I had this kind of information, conditions and time on my local public course.

Reply Report comment
- Jack Nash
  
  Aug 1, 2018 at 12:55 pm
  
  I think there’s even golf apps for ur phone out now.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Funkaholic
    
    Aug 1, 2018 at 1:19 pm
    
    Yes but, I don’t have the time to stand over my ball 5 minutes before every shot with a personal adviser helping me make my decisions on a perfectly manicured course. The Pros are spoiled.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - OninTwoDowninOne
      
      Aug 2, 2018 at 3:42 am
      
      Yes, I agree they are spoiled. Play on well conditioned courses, follow perfect weather conditions, a spotter every shot, never lose a ball, an adviser for every shot, get relief from impossible situations just by asking, Ball deflectors in play, food on the course.
      
      Reply Report comment
doofer

Aug 1, 2018 at 2:04 am

Aw shucks… you can goose up the ball but you can’t use green reading stuff?!!

Reply Report comment
CrashTestDummy

Jul 31, 2018 at 11:39 pm

I like this change. Puts more responsibility on the player to setup their own shots. Also, like that they disallowed caddies lining up the player before hitting. The responsibility should be on the player to read a putt and line themselves up.

Reply Report comment
Bruce Ferguson

Jul 31, 2018 at 7:08 pm

At least you don’t have to worry about green-reading aids at the US Open.

Balls just roll off the greens, anyway . . .

Reply Report comment
Travis

Jul 31, 2018 at 7:01 pm

This is making the green reading books so complicated… and what, are they going to search every green reading book every round?!

Why not just ban them entirely?

Yet another way the USGA makes this whole situation WAY more complicated than it has to be… Mike Davis is a total tard.

Reply Report comment
- DB
  
  Aug 1, 2018 at 8:33 am
  
  I also tend to think Mike Davis is a nerd who should be shoved back into a locker, but… this is a welcome change. Lots of people have had issues with the growing complexity of these books.
  
  There are restrictions on clubs and various other things – and nobody has to inspect every club every round. Everyone knows the rules and they follow the rules. I think it’s pretty clear. You can have a green chart showing ridges and false-fronts, general direction, etc. But once you start mapping it out with precise slope measurements you’ve broken the rule.
  
  Reply Report comment
Wiger Toods

Jul 31, 2018 at 6:58 pm

It isn’t about the data. It’s about slow play.

Reply Report comment
- Anders Loch
  
  Aug 1, 2018 at 10:17 am
  
  Green books actually speed up play by allowing one to make a read faster.
  
  Reply Report comment
Jesper Pickering

Jul 31, 2018 at 5:52 pm

They should just ban any lines on the balls. It takes way too much time to align line on ball, and it removes the skills to properly setup and aim. It’s fine by me with the measurements/green books and that not. You have the same insight if it is your home course

Reply Report comment
ChipNRun

Jul 31, 2018 at 2:05 pm

I served as marshal on the No. 14 for the 2013 Senior PGA at Bellerive CC.

During a practice round, one player finished the hole and broke out some real hardware. He had a carpenter’s level, a 12-inch wooden ruler and a small looseleaf notebook. He took about six level readings around each of the proposed cup positions, rolled the ball around by hand, and furiously took notes.

After about five minutes, his playing partner said, “Hey, the next group wants to hit in…”

End of sad story: He failed to make 36-hole cut by five strokes.

—————-
* Yes, Bellerive is hosting the 100th PGA Championship in a few days.

Reply Report comment
Tom

Jul 31, 2018 at 12:33 pm

What if the player makes his own version of a green reading book, like the yardage books they currently are allowed to use? Will the USGA subcontract TSA agents to body cavity search players?
Instead, the USGA should put time expectations in place and severely penalize(disqualify)those who can’t play 18 holes in 4 hours. It’s not that complicated.

Reply Report comment
- 3puttPar
  
  Jul 31, 2018 at 2:09 pm
  
  A tournament round in 4 hours has never happened, and will never happen. This unreal expectation of putting a time limit on golf has become ridiculous.
  
  If you cant set aside ample time to play or watch golf, find something else to do.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Joe
    
    Aug 1, 2018 at 12:59 pm
    
    #ShotClockMasters
    
    Reply Report comment
    - MJB-Golf
      
      Aug 2, 2018 at 6:48 am
      
      True….Fastest 3-ball round on Thursday 3h 48min. Average time cut off each group was recorded to 33min. Did we find it stressful? No, not even the slow players. But we had to get on with what we are supposed to do out there, check yardage, wind direction, make a decision, grove it in and pull the trigger. No time for second and third thoughts about every single decision made. Great format and equal time for all players making it a fair tournament. “Thumbs Up” 🙂
      
      Reply Report comment
      - PT
        
        Aug 2, 2018 at 12:50 pm
        
        Did you walk? Use a rangefinder? Or that silly thing on your cart? And were millions of dollars and FedEx Cup points, and qualification status at stake?
        Trying walking off every yardage next time and walk that course. And then see if you can still shoot your own course record next time
        
        Reply Report comment
Greg V

Jul 31, 2018 at 12:21 pm

Will the makers of these green reading books sue the USGA?

I saw a phone app that had the same technology. They must be hugely disappointed.

Reply Report comment
GFan

Jul 31, 2018 at 11:32 am

Fantastic news from the USGA + R&A. If they could also prohibit the caddies from helping to read greens than we would see some even more interesting results from those professional players.

Reply Report comment
- Dave
  
  Jul 31, 2018 at 1:18 pm
  
  The caddie is part of the player…. read the rule book.
  
  Reply Report comment

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