USGA, R&A introduce rule that limits use of green-reading materials

PGA Tour players received a memo last month that explained how new rules governing the use of yardage books could be going into effect soon. The proposed Model Local Rule (MLR) aimed to reduce players’ dependency on green-reading books that often look like highly-detailed topographic maps and emphasize the skill of judging slopes, ridges, and breaks with your eyes and experience.

On Wednesday, the R&A and USGA jointly announced the creation of MLR G-11, a new mechanism that lets tournament committees require golfers and caddies to use only tournament-approved yardage books. The new MLR also severely limits what players and caddies can write or add to those books.

The R&A and USGA stated MLR G-11, which can be used starting on Jan. 1, 2022, is meant to be used at the highest levels of golf like the PGA Tour, European Tour, LPGA and Korn Ferry Tour. This is not intended to be used at recreational events or local golf tournaments. In other words, you will still be able to use old yardage books at next year’s member-guest and club championship, but Bryson DeChambeau will not be able to work with as much data in his yardage book at the 2022 Farmers Insurance Open or U.S. Open.

Specifically, MLR G-11 will require that all players and caddies use a yardage book that is not larger than 7 inches by 4.25 inches in size, and the scale of the greens can not exceed 3/8 of an inch for every 5 yards. Unlike many modern yardage books that show every the most gentle contour and slopes, the books approved when MLR G-11 is in effect can only show significant tiers, slopes and false edges.

After players and caddies get their approved yardage book, they will be limited with regard to what they can add to it before and during rounds. Club distances are fine, and they can make notes about putts they see either in person or on television. However, a player or caddie can not use a level or slope-measuring device during a practice round and then add information to the book. They also can not add any information gathered by other people.

The R&A and USGA leave players and caddies no wiggle room. In the statement, they wrote, “Handwritten notes must be based on the player’s or caddie’s experiences or observations of a ball rolling on a green, or through the player’s or caddie’s feel or general observations of the green.”

The details included in modern yardage books have been criticized for not only removing skill from a player’s performance on the greens but also for adding to the slow-play problems at elite events.

Among the critics is Rory McIlroy, who has said they should be banned. Before the start of the 2021 U.S. open, he said, “I use a green book and I’d like to get rid of them.” He then added, “Most guys on tour are in the same boat that if it is available and if it’s going to help us, people are going to use it. But I think, for the greater good of the game, I’d like to see them be outlawed and not to be used anymore.”