Park Hyun-kyung was disqualified on the first day of the Mercedes-Benz Korea Women's Open, held at Lakewood Country Club in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, this June, after using a rangefinder. She used the rangefinder—prohibited at this tournament—on holes 1 through 3.
Park, who has won eight titles on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf (KLPGA) Tour, suffered the hollow disqualification because of a misunderstanding of the rules. The Mercedes-Benz Korea Women's Open is organized not by the KLPGA Tour but by the Korea Golf Association (KGA). While the KLPGA Tour permits the use of rangefinders, the KGA applies Local Rule Model G-5, which prohibits their use. A first violation of this local rule carries the general penalty (two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play), and a second violation results in disqualification.
A similar scene was witnessed at The Open, the final major of the men's golf season, which concluded last week. Australia's Lucas Herbert shot 62 in the second round—tying the record for the fewest strokes over 18 holes in a major—when his caddie used a rangefinder on the 14th hole.
Just after Herbert hit his tee shot, his caddie pulled out the rangefinder and examined where the ball had landed. Local commentators mentioned the possibility of a rules violation, as The Open also prohibited the use of rangefinders under a local rule.
But Herbert was not penalized. Why? Herbert's caddie was reported to have used the rangefinder with its battery removed. He used the rangefinder as a telescope to determine whether Herbert's ball had gone into a bunker. Because a rangefinder with its battery removed has no measuring function, it is recognized as a simple telescope and its use is permitted.
The rule on the use of equipment (4.3) is strict—a first violation carries the general penalty and a second results in disqualification—so there are a few more things worth knowing. Many players carry alignment sticks or practice aids in their golf bags, but they must not use these in any way to gain a potential advantage during a round (stretching excepted). Using a bottle containing a beverage, a string with a weight attached, or a water level to read the slope of the green is also prohibited.
Taping is allowed to treat or prevent wrist injuries. But if excessive taping fixes the wrist to gain an advantage in the swing, it is a rules violation.
When you are not sure whether the use of equipment is permitted, it is best to inquire with the tournament committee in advance to avoid trouble.
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