Distance-Measuring Devices Approved by USGA W
hether or not it helps speed up play remains to be seen, but distance-measuring devices (DMDs) are coming to USGA amateur events in 2014.
Following the lead of the R&A, the USGA announced
in February during its annual meeting in the Village of Pinehurst, N.C. that it has approved the use of DMDs for all of its amateur events. Players still cannot use DMDs in the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open championships or their respective qualifying events. Covered under an optional local rule since 2006, DMDs used in amateur championships can only measure distance and cannot be used to measure other conditions such as wind speed or direction, temperature or elevation. The use of DMDs is allowed in NCGA events, as long as they only calculate distance. “We have seen progressive developments in tech-
nologies available to golfers who seek to improve their playing performance and enjoyment that also maintain the essential elements of the game,” said Thomas J. O’Toole Jr., USGA president and chairman of the championship committee. “It is in this spirit that we are allowing the use of distance-measuring devices in our amateur competitions.” The USGA experimented with the use of DMDs at
last year’s Women’s State Team Championship and U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur to see if players using range fi nders could help speed up play. USGA offi cials only determined that DMDs didn’t slow play. The USGA said it would continue to monitor the use of DMDs in its amateur events to further study their effect on pace of play.
–J.S.
Nakamura Honored F
ormer NCGA President John Nakamura was named a recipient of the USGA’s Ike Grainger Award for his 25 years of service to the Association during a Feb. 8 dinner at Pinehurst Resort. Nakamura, who
served as president in 1994, is a longtime member of the USGA’s Public Links Championship and Regional Aff airs committees. He started with the Regional Aff airs Committee around 1988 and later joined the Public Links Committee. “It’s an honor. I’m very pleased
and appreciate it,” said Nakamura, who resides in Sacramento. “I didn’t realize 25 years went by so fast.” The award honors the legacy of
Isaac B. Grainger, who was one of the leading authorities on the Rules of Golf and a longtime member of the USGA Executive Committee. Grainger served as president from 1954-1955.
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