Laser putters, also known as laser aim putters and laser pointer putters, have become somewhat of a renowned tool for golfers in recent years. Its ability to help golfers align their putter to the line of putt has been a saving grace on the green. However, the USGA and R&A have very strict rules on what kind of tools golfers can use. With this in mind, many golfers wonder if laser putters and laser putting aids are legal.
To figure this out, I read through the USGA and R&A’s equipment rules and regulations to figure out whether or not these laser putting tools are legal.
Are laser putters legal? According to the USGA and R&A, rule 4.3a states that laser putting aids, including laser putters, are not legal to use in golf. They do not conform to the equipment regulations as they give players too much of an advantage when used. So, in other words, laser putters are illegal to use.
More specifically, laser putters are illegal for all amateur, high-level amateur and professional golfers to use in any official golf games and tournaments. While the clubs are acceptable to practice with, they are not allowed to be used in any official games.
For reference, the USGA and R&A are considered governing bodies of the golfing world. Any rule or regulation that they release is considered law by other golf groups and organizations.
What Is A Laster Putter?
A laser putter is a type of putter that emits a laser beam in front of the club to help the golfer align their putter with the line of putt. Generally speaking, there are 2 different types of laser putters:
- Built-in laser putters
- Attachment laser putters
While both look a bit different, they function the same and aid the golfer in the same way. As you will read, both of these types of laser putters are considered illegal. Each breaks at least 1 rule in the equipment regulation handbook.
Why Are Laser Putters Illegal?
Laser putters are considered illegal because they give the player too much assistance. Laser pointer putters are essentially considered “too powerful”, giving the players an extreme advantage over other players who may not have the same type of technology.
Any instance where a certain piece of equipment gives a player too much of an advantage is deemed illegal by the USGA.
In the USGA’s equipment rules, they state:
“Clubheads which incorporate prisms, mirrors, reflective materials, light beams, metronomes or mechanical devices such as spirit levels are not permitted”
https://www.usga.org/content/dam/usga/pdf/Equipment/Equipment%20Rules%20Final.pdf
Although they do not explicitly mention “lasers”, they do mention “light beams”, which is essentially the same thing. They even provide this image below, which shows the different styles of putters that are illegal.
In Figure A, the club head has an electric laser pointer on it. Although it may not look exactly like the design of a laser putter you have or are looking to buy, it shows similar characteristics to what most laser putters look like.
So, in short, this is why laser putters are illegal. They provide too much assistance to the player, to the point where the club is doing a majority of the work.
Is The Mark Tech Laser Putter Legal?
The Mark Tech Laser putter is a unique looking laser putter that has a box looking laser fixture fused to the top of the putter head. It does not conform to the USGA’s equipment and dimensional regulations.
In fact it also breaks the dimension rules that the USGA has for putters. The putter head is too tall and breaks the legal limit on the amount of height a club head can have. So, even if laser putters were legal, this design would not be legal.
Is The RedEye i330 Laser Putter Legal?
The RedEye i330 Laser putter is somewhat of a normal looking putter. It has a semi-circle head and regular club face. The only catch is that there is a small glass piece in the middle of the club face that emits the laser sight.
Every dimensional aspect of the club appears to be legal, however given the fact that this club does emit a laser, it does not conform to the USGA and R&A’s equipment regulations.
Is The Black Laser Putter Legal?
The Black Laser putter, made by RookieRookieUSA, is also a normal looking putter. However, when its lasers are turned on, 2 laser beams (located on the heel and toe of the club face) shoot out from the club. Rather than having one laser right down the middle, it has 2.
Once again, if it did not have the laser beams installed into the club head, it would be legal, however given the fact that it does emit laser beams, it is illegal to use.
Can Pro Golfers Use A Laser Putting Aid / Laser Pointer Aid In Tournaments?
There is another type of “laser alignment tool” that many other golfers use. Instead of being a part of the club head, it attaches to the shaft of the club. While it is different in design, it is still considered illegal by the USGA. Any shaft attachemt that provides assistance to the player is also considered non-conforming.
Below is the official statement from the USGA on laser alignment tools:
“Any such device…must not vibrate or emit light or sound. If the device is capable of any function other than identification, the golf club will be considered not traditional and customary in form and make (see Section 1a (i)) and, therefore, non-conforming.”
https://www.usga.org/content/dam/usga/pdf/Equipment/Equipment%20Rules%20Final.pdf
So, laser alignment tools are not allowed for any high-level amateur or professional golfers to use outside of practice.
Final Thoughts: Are Laser Putters Legal?
So, it is clear that any and all types of laser putters are considered illegal. No matter if it is built into the club or attached to the shaft, it is not legal.
With this being said, Laser putters are permitted for practice use. So, if you really want to purchase one so that you can start to improve your putting alignment skills, then that is fine to do. As long as the laser is not used during any game or tournament, there likely won’t be any issue with using it.