The American Junior Golf Association has adopted the note to Rule 14-3 in the USGA Rules of Golf regarding the use of distance measuring devices in competition, the AJGA announced Wednesday. The note reads: “The Committee may make a Local Rule allowing players to use devices that measure or gauge distance only.”

“We are excited to introduce the use of rangefinders in all of our events in 2013,” said Mark Oskarson, AJGA Chief Operating Officer. “With all the information we gathered over the course of the year, we feel this is the right direction for our organization.”

The AJGA conducted four case studies at events in 2012 to gather information from juniors, parents and staff as to the types of rangefinders being used, how many juniors already have rangefinders and how pace of play is affected by their implementation.

Pace of play was not affected in either a positive or negative way at the events where rangefinders were used. By permitting the use of rangefinders the AJGA’s policy becomes more consistent with college golf, where rangefinders are already permitted.

Some rangefinders will not be permitted in AJGA events. If the device is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect the player’s decision (such as slope, wind speed, temperature) the player would be in breach of Rule 14-3.

For more information about the use of distance measuring devices in AJGA competition and prohibited devices, please contact AJGA Director of Rules and Competitions Andrew Greenfield at (678) 425-1714 or agreenfield@ajga.org.