The ASGA Board of Directors met Friday, February 24, 2006 and approved the use of measuring devices in ASGA Sponsored Tournaments effective with the 2006 season in accordance with the USGA local rule.    See the  USGA Local Rule below.

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Local Rule for Distance Measuring Devices

I’m sure some of you play at courses that offer GPS devices or maybe many of you have your own hand-held distance device. Using these types of devices is contrary to the Rules of Golf, but as of January 1, 2006 a new Decision 14-3/0.5 allows a Committee to establish a Local Rule permitting players to use devices that measure distance only. In the absence of such a Local Rule, the use of a distance-measuring device would be contrary to Rule 14-3, which deals with artificial devices and unusual equipment.

Distance-Measuring Devices:

(Specify, as appropriate. e.g., "in this competition." or "For all play at this course," et.), a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only.  However, if during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used.

Alli Jarrett
USGA Director Regional Affairs