The R&A and the USGA issued a joint statement on Monday stating that they will be "reviewing the materials that players have at their disposal when it comes to reading greens," according to Nick Rodger of the HERALD SCOTLAND. Rule 14-3 in the "vast bible of golfing laws" limits the use of equipment and devices that may assist a player in general play "but the green-reading materials have grown in prominence and sophistication in recent seasons, with complex, detailed breakdowns and diagrams of slopes which resembles some kind of E=Mc2 formula." Ian Poulter is one touring professional who has a "few gripes with the use of greens books." Poulter, who believes the "additional flicking and faffing through the book does little to help the pace of play," said, "The tour greens books should be banned. No one on tour got a card because of those books. The art of putting has been lost. If you can't read a green, that's your fault." The R&A and the USGA are expected to address the "increasingly prickly" issue "in the coming months" and expressed their concerns in the joint address (HERALD SCOTLAND, 5/1). The BBC reported the statement read, "Success should depend on the judgement, skills and abilities of the player. We are reviewing the use of these materials to assess whether any actions need to be taken to protect this important part of the game" (BBC, 5/1).
