PGA Tour golfer after using a rangefinder in one event? "I feel like we're running out here"
PGA Tour winner Brian Campbell believes the use of rangefinders on the North American circuit have had the desired effect on pace-of-play.
Professional golfer Brian Campbell says he felt as if he was running during the RBC Heritage after the PGA Tour allowed the use of rangefinders.
The use of distance-measuring devices has been permitted over the next few weeks to see if it will make a difference in improving pace-of-play.
Slow play has been an issue on the PGA Tour for decades but it was brought back into sharp focus at the beginning of the 2025 campaign.
Campbell - who claimed his first Tour win in Mexico earlier in the season courtesy of an all-time break - believes the use of lasers has helped.
"I feel like we're running out there," he told reporters after finishing in a tie for 32nd at Harbour Town Golf Links.
"I feel like we're playing really fast. I know we played in like 3 hours and 50 minutes.
"They're getting what they want, we're playing really fast. I know the rangefinder definitely helped us on 16."
Campbell was referring to the fact that on the 10th hole he somehow managed to find the 16th fairway. The laser helped him spot his ball immediately.
Former Open champion Brian Harman has routinely been accused by golf fans of playing far too slowly.
The American often takes an extraordinary number of waggles before hitting his shots.
He told media that it was important to remember the RBC Heritage was played in groups of two.
"The more that we can do that, I think the better product that we have for sure," he said. "It moves along a lot better.
"It's hard for slow players to hide in twosomes, you have to keep up, or somebody's right on you getting warned, getting timed.
"Our rules officials have done a great job of keeping everybody moving."
Not everyone is on the same page, though.
Scottie Scheffler questioned whether rangefinders were necessary last week.
The two-time Masters champ reckons that at most the PGA Tour can speed up rounds by 20-30 minutes.
That won't make too much of a difference whether people will tune in, he said.
"I think people want to watch exciting golf," he said. "I think that's what it's all about.
"Let's say if we do all these changes and we save 20 minutes off of a round of golf - is somebody going to sit down on the couch on Sunday and go, well, I didn't have five hours to watch a round of golf, but I've got four hours and 40 minutes. Now I'm in!
"I think, if we're going to spend a lot of time and energy, I think where I would want to spend it is get more people involved in the game of golf, more people able to come and play."
