The following information is taken from the PIAA Rules and Regulations section of the PIAA Handbook. It is published below in an effort to clarify questions received in the PIAA Office from member school golf coaches.

United States Golf Association (USGA) Rules of Golf and Relevant State

Association Adoptions and Modifications

GOLF: Adopt the 2011-2012 United States Golf Association (USGA) Rules of Golf Book. Require student-athletes to walk and carry their own bags; authorize a set of forward tees for girls playing on boys' golf Teams, which approximate 85% of the total yardage of the course that the boys play; and authorize the use of devices that measure or gauge distance only (range finders), all when participating in Regular Season and Postseason golf Contests involving PIAA member schools.

Team Rule for Coach Decorum
For Regular Season and stand alone Postseason Team golf Contests only, pursuant to United States Golf Association (USGA) Rule 8-1 Note, each Team may appoint one Coach who may give advice to members of that Team, provided such advice is given in between holes and in a private manner that does not unduly delay play.

Use of Range Finders
During Regular Season and Postseason golf Contests, players are authorized to use devices that measure or gauge distance only (range finders). If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect a player's play (e.g., gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of USGA Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.