The PGA Tour is considering restricting players’ use of yardage and green books and instead issuing committee approved yardage books, Golf Digest reported.
The PGA Tour Advisory Council supported the changes to become effective on Jan. 1, 2022, according to a memo that Golf Digest obtained.
“The Local Rule is being developed by the USGA and R&A, working closely with our team and the European Tour,” the memo says.
The committee approved book “will be very similar to a traditional yardage book and, with respect to greens details, will only have general information on slopes and features,” the memo says.
All printed books from 2021 and before would be disallowed, though handwritten notes made by a player or caddie via observations — including from a TV broadcast — will continue to be allowed. No devices or other technology would be allowed to gather information going forward, however.
“The purpose of this Local Rule is to return to a position where players and caddies use only their skill, judgment and feel along with any information gained through experience, preparation, and practice to read the line of play on the putting green,” the memo reads.
–Field Level Media
