Initiatives to address the pace of play have backfired for the league. Earlier in the season, it had affected the viewership, resulting in a huge drop. Well, now, the PGA of America’s attempt to allow the distance measuring devices is being discussed. The organization has allowed the use of a rangefinder since 2021. However, for the PGA Tour, it was a new and unique step that began in April 2025.
Even the exemption was on a trial period, as it was allowed in six events specifically. But interestingly, at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, Davis Riley was assessed a two-stroke penalty. He was caught using the distance finder tool, not for range; instead, he was using the slope feature. According to rule 4.3, the tool can only be used for finding the range, and all other features, including slope measurement, wind direction, or club selection, should be disabled.
But with the news of the penalty that came out, the fans were on the negative side for introducing such a rule. After the PGA Tour posted on X, sharing the details, the fans were quick to criticise the rule.
On No. 17, Davis Riley self-reported a two-stroke penalty for using the distance-measuring device slope feature.
Before the penalty, he sat inside the projected cut line at 5-under.
He is now one shot outside the projected cut line with 7 holes to play. pic.twitter.com/07pZNdch8z
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 3, 2025
One of the fans said, “Dumb rule. Slope is in the yardage books.” Then, another wrote, “Golf has some of the stupidest rules.”
More fans joined writing, “Why would there not be PGA-sanctioned range finders that have slope disabled? Dumb,” and “Let’s penalize someone for a using a tool that will speed up play when I’m sure he used it by mistake.”
“The easiest fix is for the PGA tour to provide with everything they don’t want to use already disabled lol,” another fan joined, criticizing the move.
This is a developing story…
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