Wednesday 6^th February 2008

Landmark PGA decision – Snooper welcomes use of GPS rangefinders.

The PGA have recently announced a groundbreaking decision to sanction the use of GPS rangefinders in its professional events this year. This decision was welcomed by Snooper who recently launched two new GPS rangefinder products, the S280 Sapphire Plus and S2010 Syrius PROLINE. The first PGA events where this technology will be used this year include the Irish PGA Championship, Scottish PGA Championship and the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship.

Press reports that the forward-thinking PGA has agreed to allow GPS use across its tournament calendar in 2008 – a decision taken at its executive committee meeting on 15th January. Other leading golf bodies are now expected to monitor closely the success of the scheme.

Marketing Director, Steven Ballard of Snooper said, “It’s fantastic news for all golfers and we are of course extremely happy with the news. Golfer’s are sometimes wary of new technology in the game, but it has been proven that using these types of GPS rangefinding devices speeds up play enourmously, as well enriching the game in general. After all we don’t all have a personal caddy to calculate the distance of our next shot!”

 “The PGA has taken the popular view that GPS rangefinders are becoming part of the modern game and that new technologies that improve the playing experience should be welcomed. Snooper Shot Saver calculates distances in seconds, meaning shot decisions can be made much more quickly. The whole game can be played in less time which will encourage new people to take up the sport”

“Snooper offer the additional benefit of including turn by turn street level navigation in their products for the same cost as most other golf only GPS rangefinders. As a result customers are getting much more value for money with a product that includes 3 functions in one including the GPS speed camera location function”

Snooper combines the most sophisticated GPS technology available with precision-mapping on foot to give golfers the most accurate information they need to help reduce scoring through improved course management. As well as the front, middle and back of the green, bunkers, streams and other water hazards are accurately plotted.

Rangefinders were approved as a condition of competition by the R&A and USGA in January 2006 and currently devices can only be used in club competition if a Local Rule allows them.

PGA chief executive Sandy Jones, said, “I’m aware a number of traditionalists might well be appalled by this decision, but the evidence suggests that using rangefinders really helps improve pace of play so it is difficult to see why such a decision should be detrimental to the game.”