De-Skilling Files: Rangefinders At The Senior PGA

Steve Stricker’s caddie uses a rangefinder from far off line.

The Senior PGA from Southern Hills has been such a joy this week. It’s amazing to see beautiful ground features, creeks and grass instead of shade. The course overhaul is also allowing players are more opportunities for recovery from trouble. And seeing play on a golf course with adjacent fairways reinforced what a mistake it is to allow distance measuring devices into a major championship.

Last week’s PGA at Kiawah did not provide many examples of stuff like this, starting with Retief Goosen who, in round two wedged out from the 13th hole’s trees into the nearby 17th fairway.

Far off line, his caddie is seen here shooting a yardages:

Despite a bad tee shot, Goosen was spared a penalty for his effort. He also gained access to a perfect (rangefinder) yardage to the flag when he played down the next fairway. That made his pitch-out from the trees even easier knowing he could get a number and clean look. His playing partners and the field who drove accurately off the 13th tee lost some of their reward from playing more accurately.

All because rangefinders are allowed at PGA of America championships.

This is noteworthy given that “skill” will be a hot topic when the USGA and R&A make their case for distance regulation. (At least they are allowing the devices at the U.S. Open or The Open, yet.) Situations like the above rangefinder usage chips away at real skill. The same goes for players relying on green books to get around local knowledge study.

Add both to the termination list if we’re genuinely trying to restore more nuanced skills to this great game.