DeChambeau's career is going to test the PGA ruling body.

Currently with 2 wins on the tour at age 24, the SMU grad is creating tension with the higher ups within the PGA tour.

First the PGA outlawed his side saddle putter because the shaft was reported too far back from the face.  Even though it fit the currently written rules.  Silly, because they did not make side saddle putting style illegal, but just the putter. 
His comment from Jan 2017 . "They've said to me, too, that they don't like the way I'm doing it. But it's within the rules, and I don't know why they don't like it. They say I'm potentially taking skill out of the game. Anything that helps shoot lower scores or makes golf more fun and grows the game, that's what I'm all about."  

Here is the putter.

Then this weekend, the PGA opened an investigation into Bryson for using a Compass. (Not the common one used in navigation, but the geometry class compass with a pointy end.) He says he uses it to verify pin location.

The rules are as follows.
Rule 14-3, which bans the use of any artificial device or unusual equipment for the purpose of gauging or measuring distance or conditions that might affect his play. This prohibits players from using items like rangefinders that have activated a feature that calculates the affect of slope on distance. Also, outlined in Appendix IV, under Rule 14-3, an artificial device is not allowed if it provides “recommendations that might assist the player in making a stroke or in his play [e.g., club selection, type of shot to be played, green reading or any other advice related matter]."

Other experts are admitting it doesn't give him any data that isn't already available. 

The primary factor maybe the complaints about the computer printouts the pros get showing the exact slope and angle on the greens.  The tour is not happy with these sheets.

Could it be that a physics major like Dechambeau may well know how to better extrapolate the data and get an advantage? Yes!


I love that he is challenges the preconceived theories for the golf swing. His one length iron approach seems logical to me, even though at my old age i would likely prefer 2 length irons, a common sandwedge length for my first 3 wedges and the 7 iron length starting with the PW. Habits are hard to break on the scoring clubs inside 120 yards.

J.