
Rules Guy: Is it legal to use a Stimpmeter to gauge the speed of the greens before playing?
Golf’s governing bodies have deemed the use of a Stimpmeter to be a breach of Rule 4.3a, which states that a player must not receive advice or information on playing the course during a round. Players are allowed to read a green’s slope and firmness before playing, but measuring its speed could be considered receiving advice. Ultimately, determining whether using a Stimpmeter is legal is up to each tournament or club.