The United States Golf Association and The R&A have jointly decided on modernizing the rules of golf by limiting the use of video technology in some situations when it produces evidence of a breach in the rules.
The announcement Tuesday came after Lexi Thompson earlier this month had her lead in a major wiped out by a four-stroke penalty issued in the middle of her final round after a television viewer reported a breach from the previous day’s action.
“Video technology, especially the use of methods such as high resolution or close-up camera shots that can be replayed in slow motion, has the potential to undermine this essential characteristic of the game by identifying the existence of facts that could not reasonably be identified in any other way,” the decision read. “Such evidence should not be used to hold players to a higher standard than human beings can reasonably be expected to meet.”
Effective immediately, use of video will be limited when it reveals evidence that could not reasonably be seen with the “naked eye.” That means even if a player if a player is unaware of a rule being breached because it couldn’t be seen with the naked eye, there is no breach even if video technology shows otherwise.
Also effective immediately, players will not be held to the degree of precision even if video technology later shows the inaccuracy as long as the player has made a “reasonable judgment.” One example would be replacing a lifted ball and determining the spot. Thompson was penalized after she incorrectly marked a ball ever so slightly according to the rules, resulting in an incorrectly returned scorecard since no one raised issue until the following day.
Lexi Thompson was assessed a 4-shot penalty for an incorrect marking of a ball and signing an incorrect card yesterday at #ANAInspiration pic.twitter.com/6pNJ5haql9
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) April 3, 2017
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“Advancements in video technology are enhancing the viewing experience for fans, but can also significantly affect the competition,”USGA Executive Director/CEO Mike Davis said in a statement. “We need to balance those advances with what is fair for all players when applying the Rules.”
Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, added in a statement, “We have been considering the impact of video review on the game and feel it is important to introduce a Decision to give greater clarity in this area. Golf has always been a game of integrity and we want to ensure that the emphasis remains as much as possible on the reasonable judgment of the player rather than on what video technology can show.”