Junior Golfer Overcomes Unnecessary Rangefinder Penalty

Rangefinders might be one of the very best new innovations to golf. No more frustrating searches for sprinkler heads with yardages  (although I do miss the old-school yardage stakes). And theoretically, the use should speed up play.

Sometimes, rangefinders are allowed in tournament play, but not always. We run the Texas Junior Golf Tour and its allowed during our competitions (without the slope feature) and they’re approved for most college events (again, without slope). But, so far its not allowed at all on the pro tours except during practice rounds.

Yet, it wasn’t allowed during the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley. And that hurt one player when he absentmindedly pulled out his rangefinder for a shot that was 40 yards.

GolfWeek’s Brentley Romine has the details.

Just like he is accustomed to doing in most of his junior and amateur tournaments,Akshay Bhatia reached in his golf bag, pulled out his rangefinder and shot his number.

40 yards.

But Bhatia quickly got a sinking feeling in his stomach. His playing competitor, Michael Sanders, asked Bhatia if he had just used his rangefinder. Knowing that rangefinders aren’t permitted this week at the Junior Invitational, Bhatia replied honestly.

“I knew I couldn’t use a rangefinder, but I decided to take it out for some reason and use it,” Bhatia said of the mental error. “… It’s my fault. I should’ve taken it out of the golf bag (before the round). It sucks, but I’m grateful I’m still in this position and not disqualified.”

Hopefully, lesson learned knowing the local rules. Interestingly, that penalty was Bhatia’s only blemish on the scorecard.