Rangefinders and GPS Devices (Rules)
Also known as: are rangefinders legal, rangefinder in tournaments, rangefinder with slope, slope function on a rangefinder, distance measuring device, laser rangefinder, golf GPS watch
Rangefinders and GPS devices are allowed under Rule 4.3 unless a Local Rule bans them. You may get distance and direction. You must not use slope or plays-like readings, wind measured at the course or a club recommendation. A first breach costs the general penalty, and a second in the same round is disqualification.
Since January 2019 the Rules of Golf have allowed distance-measuring devices by default. A course or competition committee can ban them with a Local Rule, Model Local Rule G-5. Check the scorecard or notice board before your round.
You may use the actual distance between two points, compass direction, pre-loaded hole maps and tips, local weather forecasts and your average club distances from earlier rounds. You may not use elevation or slope readings or plays-like distances. A recommended club, analysis of distances from the current round and wind speed measured at the course are also off limits.
A device with a slope mode is legal to carry if the mode is not used. The USGA treats a player as having used a banned reading if it is showing on a device they can readily see, such as a watch face. Switch slope off before the round. Many lasers have a physical switch or a tournament mode for this. The first breach is the general penalty: two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play. A second breach in the same round is disqualification.
Tips by skill level
Buy a rangefinder with an easy slope on and off switch. Keep slope off in any round played under the Rules.
Use slope readings only in practice to learn how much elevation changes your carry. Then rely on that judgment in rounds played under the Rules.
Example
Before a club medal, a golfer slides the slope switch on her laser to off. On the 7th hole she checks the distance to the flag, a legal use, and picks her club herself.
Why it matters
A rangefinder speeds up play and helps club choice. Using a banned feature in a competition turns that help into penalty strokes.
Common mistakes
- Leaving the slope function on in a competition
- Wearing a GPS watch that shows plays-like distances
- Using an app that recommends a club during the round
- Not checking for a Local Rule that bans devices
Frequently asked questions
Are rangefinders legal in golf tournaments?
Yes, unless the committee has a Local Rule banning them. You may measure distance and direction but not slope, elevation, wind or plays-like distance.
Can I use a rangefinder with slope in a tournament?
You may carry it. The slope function must not be used. Switch it off before the round. A slope reading you can see counts as using it, and the first breach is a two-stroke penalty in stroke play.
Can I use a GPS watch or golf app during a round?
Yes for distances, hole maps and averages from earlier rounds. Not for club recommendations, plays-like numbers or analysis of the current round.
Sources
Related terms
- Club SelectionClub selection is picking the right club for each shot from real carry distance, lie, wind, elevation, and hazard placement. It is one of the biggest scoring decisions.
- Local RuleA local rule is a course- or competition-specific change adopted by the committee running play. It commonly covers embedded balls, temporary conditions like winter rules, or unique course features the standard Rules of Golf do not address.
- Ready Golf (Pace of Play)"Ready golf" means whoever is ready hits next, instead of strictly waiting for the golfer farthest from the hole. It is widely encouraged in casual and recreational rounds to keep pace of play reasonable.
- Golf Club DistancesThere is no single right distance for each club, since it depends mostly on your swing speed and how solidly you strike the ball. In USGA Best Tees research, the average male golfer hit a 7-iron about 138 yards and the average female golfer about 100 yards. Measure your own carry with each club and plan from those numbers, not from a chart.
- Course ManagementCourse management is your strategy for where to aim, which club to hit, and how to play each hole. The goal is to limit risk and score well for your skill level.
Related guides & benchmarks
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