The finale of the Internet Invitational — the influencer event conducted by Barstool Sports and Bob Does Sports — garnered more than 1.5 million views in less than 24 hours after its release last week (and now is nearing 3 million views).
The final episode had its share of controversial moments, a few of which are still being talked about days later online and on podcasts. One of them centered around the alleged use of the slope function on a rangefinder — a no-no during tournament play, according to the Rules of Golf.
The snafu had inquiring minds pondering: What exactly is (and isn’t) allowed when using a rangefinder in recreational and tournament play?
Rangefinders are a helpful tool, not only for providing accurate yardages but speeding up play as well, as it’s no longer necessary to hunt for yardages on sprinkler heads or walk-off distances. While almost every pro golfer uses them in practice rounds, they have long been outlawed during tournament play on the PGA Tour. That rule, however, was altered for a six-month trial period this year, when the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour allowed them to see if it would speed up play (findings have yet to be released.)
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One important caveat for the pros: the “slope” toggle must be switched off. When the slope is on, yardages are calculated with the elevation change accounted for, taking the skill out of the process.
The Tour’s penalty for having the slope on during tournament play was two strokes for the first infraction, with the second resulting in a disqualification. Davis Riley was hit with a penalty at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May, one he self-reported.
“Stepping onto that tee on 17, I was assuming that the rangefinder was in the proper mode and shot it, and two numbers came up,” Riley said. “I’ve used it enough to know that that’s the slope number. Unfortunately, it was just kind of one of those moments where your heart sinks a little bit, like you’re just throwing away two shots.”
But enough about the pro game. What about you, dear reader? Surely you can use the slope and play on guilt-free, even if entering the score for your handicap, right?
Not so fast!
When contacted for clarification, the USGA said that Rule 4.3 (the Rule that prohibits using slope on a distance-measuring device), like all rules, applies outside of tournaments, too.
One bullet point under Rule 4.3a, Allowed and Prohibited Uses of Equipment states a player must not create a potential advantage by “using equipment (other than a club or a ball) that artificially eliminates or reduces the need for a skill or judgment that is essential to the challenge of the game.”
That stipulation clearly covers using a rangefinder’s slope function, given the Rules of Golf say judging elevation changes is an essential skill.
Craig Winter, a USGA senior director who focuses on the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status, told us that one of the most common misconceptions about the Rules of Golf is that the slope and rangefinder rule applies only to tournament play.
“In reality, Rule 4.3a, which governs the use of equipment other than clubs and balls, always applies, just like any other rule, regardless of whether you are playing in a competition or a casual round,” Winter says. “At the same time, whether a player is aware of the distance-only restriction, or of any other prohibited action under the rules, we recognize that recreational golf is often played among friends who choose to relax certain rules.”
So there you have it. Playing with the slope on? It’s technically breaking a rule just like taking a mulligan or fluffing up a lie. That said, what you do in your Saturday-morning foursome is your business. Range-finding included.
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