Is the PGA doing away with yardage books?

But green-reading books are going away for tournament use on the PGA Tour on January 1, so let's examine what's going to happen, how it came about, how it will be enforced, and what's allowed and not allowed. This decision to ban green-reading material from the PGA Tour is completely player driven.

Is the PGA getting rid of greens books?

Unlike those once-controversial literary classics, the green-reading books helped players to detect the directions that putts break and the percentage of slope in different sections of greens. The ban became official on January 1 and goes into effect Thursday at this week's Sentry Tournament of Champions.

Do pro golfers use green books?

The first thing to know is this is a local rule that will be applied to PGA Tour events only. Green-reading books are perfectly legal under the R&A and USGA rules. They exist for thousands of courses, other than Augusta National, and every course that's hosted a PGA Tour event in the last, say, five years.

Are yardage books allowed at the Masters?

Beginning in the new year, players and caddies will not be allowed to use yardage books from 2021 and prior. The TOUR will work with yardage book providers to develop the parameters of the new, approved books, which will be marked “Committee Approved Book” on the cover.

Do all golf courses have yardage books?

Do all golf courses have yardage books? No, not every golf course has a yardage book, which is very unfortunate as they are super helpful for some golfers. But just because your local golf course doesn't offer yardage books in the pro shop, doesn't mean you can't get them. Instead, you just need to find them online.

How much do PGA TOUR players use their yardage books?

Where do pros get their yardage books?

Ben Hulka helps players and fellow caddies each week on the PGA Tour by selling yardage and green contour books for each course produced by former caddie Mark Long. Yardage and green contour books are a staple at PGA Tour events.

Can you buy yardage books?

Caddent Golf Yardage Book (4-Pack) Rules Conforming Golf Notebook Made in USA with Fairway and Green Mapping Pages – Compatible with Most Golf Score Book Holders and Golf Yardage Book Holder.

Is PGA getting rid of caddies?

PGA Tour announces players, caddies will only be allowed on tournament sites following negative COVID-19 tests. CROMWELL, Conn.

How do caddies know yardage?

To know the course's exact distances and dimensions, professionals rely on a tour caddie yardage book. Golf yardage books are detailed guides that pros and their caddies use to navigate the course during play.

Can amateurs still use green books?

The PGA Tour's local rule banned notes gained from any type of measuring instrument, asserting that players must use “committee approved” yardage books and any handwritten notes about the greens must come directly from the naked eye. (Amateurs are still free to use the books or other green-reading apps.)

Are StrackaLine yardage books legal?

StrackaLine services over 500 NCAA teams, many high school and junior tours, thousands of golf courses, and hundreds of thousands of amateur golfers on a regular basis. Rest assured that StrackaLine will continue to produce "The Book" that is legal for all events you play in.

Are rangefinders legal on the PGA Tour?

The PGA of America, the tournament's organizing body, permitted rangefinders to be used for measuring distance only, even though many of these devices can measure elevation change as well with the flip of a switch.

What yardage book do the pros use?

On the PGA Tour, pros and caddies have relied on the yardage books of Fred Funk's former caddie Mark Long for over 20 years and these have an incredible amount of information in them including: What is this? Yardages to and from various areas to the front, middle and other specifically identified points on the green.

Can a golfer change balls on the green?

Fortunately, under the Rules of Golf, golfers are allowed to change golf balls at various points during a round. Under normal conditions -- meaning the ball wasn't damaged beyond reasonable use, or it didn't wind up in a water hazard or was lost -- a golfer can change golf balls in between holes.

Why do pro golfers carry a notepad?

That would be an example where a competing golfer would look into his or her notebook and see that they have a note written that says missing long on the green is a bad miss, and so they will know to not hit a club that has a chance of going long.

What are the books pro golfers carry?

What is a yardage book? Yardage books are a handbook used by golfers when playing a round. These books contain information about distances, hazards, and green complexes for every hole on the golf course. Typically, yardage book offer a little bit more information than the average scorecard.

When did pro golfers start using yardage books?

YARDAGE BOOKS HAVE BEEN A STAPLE ON THE PGA TOUR SINCE JACK NICKLAUS STARTED USING THEM IN THE 1970'S. FOR YEARS TOUR CADDIES WOULD ARRIVE AT THE COURSE OF COMPETITION WEEKS BEFORE AND PACE OFF ALL THE YARDAGES TO AND FROM IDENTIFIED TARGETS AND MAP GREEN COMPLEXES BY SIGHT.

How do I make a PGA Tour yardage book?

Do pro caddies use rangefinders?

Even though professional golfers probably have more confidence than your co-worker hitting the links, most golfers — or their caddies — at the PGA Championship chose to use a rangefinder. This typically happened when golfers found themselves off the fairway or confirming their own distance estimation.

What do pro golfers carry in their bag?

Professional golfers generally carry: a driver, 3 wood, 5 wood, 4-PW, gap wedge, sand wedge, lob wedge, and a putter. Depending on the pro, these setups may change slightly, including the use of a driving iron, hybrid, or other longer club in place of one of the woods.

What is the notepad golfers carry?

If you watch golf on the television, you may see golfers writing in a small notebook. This notebook is usually a yardage book. Golfers consider this yardage book to be their primary source of information while on a golf course.

How accurate are pro golfers?

In 1995, when drives averaged just 264 yards, landing on the fairway was paramount, and pros averaged a 69 percent driving accuracy. In 2017, with drives travelling an average of 293 yards, precise placement isn't as vital — thus, the 60 percent driving accuracy across the Tour.