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R&A and USGA to Review Use of Green Reading Books

By: Golfshake Editor | Tue 02 May 2017


It's been a busy few months for the game's two governing bodies, the R&A and USGA, who have unveiled planned changes to the Rules of Golf and the possibility of creating a Single Worldwide Handicap System. Their next objective is addressing the use of green reading books and guides - something that has become increasingly common on tour - and whether that is reducing an essential skill and part of the game.

On Monday, they released a joint statement that confirmed they were looking into the topic and that future action was a possibility in the coming months.

The statement reads; "The R&A and the USGA believe that a player's ability to read greens is an essential part of the skill of putting. Rule 14-3 limits the use of equipment and devices that might assist a player in their play, based on the principle that golf is a challenging game in which success should depend on the judgement, skills and abilities of the player. We are concerned about the rapid development of increasingly detailed materials that players are using to help with reading greens during a round. We are reviewing the use of these materials to assess whether any actions need to be taken to protect this important part of the game. We expect to address this matter further in the coming months."

In addition to questions on whether these guides - mapping out the breaks and undulations on greens - are in the spirit of the game, there is also a suggestion that they only serve to increase the time it takes to play. 

What do you think; is green reading an essential skill that must be protected, or should these detailed guides be permitted?


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Tags: rules



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