The final of Online invitation — the influencer event put on by Barstool Sports and Bob Does Sports — racked up more than 1.5 million views in less than 24 hours after its release last week (and is now close to 3 million views).
The last episode had its share controversial momentssome 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.
Snafu had an inquiring mind thinking: What exactly is allowed (and not allowed) when using a distance in recreational games and tournaments?
The distance are a useful toolnot only for providing accurate ranges, but also for speeding up the game, as it is no longer necessary to trace spaces in the sprinkler heads or at drop-off distances. While nearly every professional golfer uses them in practice rounds, they have long been outlawed during tournament play on the PGA Tour. However, that rule was changed 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 (the findings have not yet been released.)
;)
The finale of the Internet Invitational brings controversy – and 1 heartbreaking memory
Dylan Dethier
An important warning for professionals: the “tilt” switch must be turned off. When slope is on, yards are calculated by calculating the change in elevation, taking skill out of the process.
The Tour’s penalty for holding the tilt during tournament play was two strokes for the first offence, with the second resulting in disqualification. Davis Riley was penalized in the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May, one he self-reported.
“Walking up that tee on 17, I was assuming the distance was in the right mode and shot it and two numbers came up,” Riley said. “I’ve used it enough to know that’s the slope number. Unfortunately, it was just one of those moments where your heart sinks a little bit, like you’re taking two shots.”
But enough about the pro game. What about youdear reader? Surely you can use the slope and play guilt-free, even if you enter your handicap score, right?
Not so fast!
When contacted for clarification, the USGA said that Rule 4.3 (Rule Prohibiting the Use of Slope in a Distance Measuring Device), like all rules, applies outside of tournaments.
A bullet point down Rule 4.3a, Permitted and Prohibited Uses of Equipment states that 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.”
This definition clearly covers the use of the slope function of a rangefinder, given that the Rules of Golf state that 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 distance rule only applies 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, whether you’re playing in a competition or a casual round,” says Winter. “At the same time, if a player is aware of the distance-only restriction, or of some other action prohibited by the rules, we understand that recreational golf is often played among friends who choose to relax some of the rules.”
So there you have it. Playing with the slope? It’s technically breaking a rule, just like taking a mulligan or telling a lie. That said, what you do at four in the morning on a Saturday is your business. Including range finding.
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