EUROPEAN GOLF ASSOCIATION TO PERMIT USE OF DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES IN 2013

FROM THE EUROPEAN GOLF ASSOCIATION WEBSITE
Distance measuring devices (DMDs) will be permitted for use during European Golf Association (EGA) championships in 2013 and onwards. 

Meeting last week, the EGA Championship Committee recommended to the EGA Executive Committee that the local rule that permits the use of conforming DMDs be added to their generic condition of competition, applicable to all EGA events except the international matches shared with the R and A, Ladies Golf Union and Asia Pacific Golf Confederation.
Under the Rules of Golf, such devices may only currently be permitted for use under the Local Rules of the competition being played. Certain restrictions to the type of device, defined by the parameters measured, are still outlined under the Rules of Golf.
While it has been a matter of contention within the EGA Championship Committee for sometime, a recent survey carried out by the EGA revealed that approximately 75% of its member national golf authorities currently permit their use and that many of those who did not were awaiting the EGA’s lead. Apart from wishing to represent its membership in the best way possible, the EGA also considered its position as an organiser of many international
European title championships and the possible effects the change could have before taking the decision.
Championship Committee chairman, Birgitta Ljung of Sweden, stated that while we recognise that there are major amateur championships and professional tours that still restrict their use, the EGA’s previous position in not allowing them was principally to align ourselves to these other major events and event organisers. 
However, with subtle differences in event conditions already, most of the EGA committee members, whether liking the change or not, saw the change as inevitable in EGA events in any case.
To assist their swing development and practice routines, players currently use many forms of technology, which are not permitted during stipulated rounds of competition. The condition permitting DMDs will make golf course yardages more simply, quickly and accurately assessible than other forms of yardage indication. 

Before DMDs, when players or their caddies used to pace the course, it could be interpreted that those players who were more meticulous in preparing their yardage books had a just advantage over those who did not. DMDs potentially level this aspect of preparation. 

Players must still be judicious on what is best measured, but the main difference in allowing them is that, if a measurement is missed during practice, it can be easily acquired during the round. While it is controversial whether or not the use of DMDs speeds-up play, the pace of practice rounds in particular, should increase.
The EGA Championship Committee will be eager to make sure the greater ease of acquiring yardages translates into faster rounds.

AMERICAN JUNIORS CAN NOW USE 
DISTANCE-MEASURING DEVICES
  
FROM THE GOLFWEEK WEBSITE
The American Junior Golf Association has adopted a note to Rule 14-3 in the USGA Rules of Golf that allows juniors to use distance-measuring devices in AJGA competition. 
The announcement came down Wednesday, following four case studies conducted during AJGA events in 2012.
“We are excited to introduce the use of rangefinders in all of our events in 2013,” said Mark Oskarson, the AJGA's chief operating officer. “With all the information we gathered over the course of the year, we feel this is the right direction for our organization.”
The studies gathered information from parents, juniors and staff about types of rangefinders that are most popular among junior players and how allowing their use might affect pace of play. 
In 2012, the average 18-hole pace of play for all AJGA events was 4 hours and 23 minutes. AJGA studies showed there was not a major impact, positive or negative, on pace of play where rangefinders were used.
By permitting the use of rangefinders, the AJGA’s policy becomes more consistent with college golf, which permits rangefinders.