I read some of the recent changes to the rules of golf that take effect January 1. One in particular that I found amusing was the change to allow golfers to use measuring devices, such as GPS systems or rangefinders, in golf tournaments at the discretion of the tournament organizers. I've only seen these devices typically on golf carts at the upscale resorts.

Currently top circuits, such as the PGA and European tours for example, allow players or their caddies to use such devices, but only during practice rounds. Which, to me, is hilarious for a couple of reasons.

First, the pros probably don’t need these devices. These men and women are the best of the best and can typically judge distance not only from walking the course, but from the 30 to 100 times they have already played a course. They are truly that precise in their golf shots and assessments.

Second, and even more humorous, is the fact that while they don’t need these devices, the golf professionals are probably the only ones who could really take advantage of them! I don’t know about you, but as a very “average” amateur golfer, I don’t have a “164 yard” club in my bag. I hit my 7 iron around 160 to 165 yards with a fair amount of variance. But, most of the time 5-10 yards is not going to kill my golf game or my score.

One of the things that has always driven me nuts (oops there goes that word again) is average golfers(of which I am definitely one) who insist on stepping off the exact distance a couple of times to make sure that they have the right distance. Back and forth they go, from their golf cart to the marker and back again. And then, typically they are 10-15 yards short or long on their approach shot to the green. Yet they continue with this very annoying habit, not having learned anything from their previous rounds of golf.

Now I know what new phenomenon we’ll have on the golf course. I can see these guys measuring and measuring, then peering into the sky to make sure that the satellite is working correctly. I mean can you say “6 hour round of golf”?

I guess it must get difficult for the U.S. Golf Association and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club to actually think of new rules or changes each and every year, but this is one that definitely could have stayed in the golf bag!