SHINNECOCK HILLS, N.Y. – This weekend, thousands of fans gathered at the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island to witness the 126th U.S. Open. As the tournament maintains its longstanding traditions, the recent AI boom has introduced innovative tools for better engagement with the game’s rules and enhancing fan experience.
The U.S. Golf Association (USGA), organizer of the U.S. Open, launched a new tool called Rules AI. This chatbot-like service provides quick, clear advice on golf rules to players. Craig Winter, the USGA’s senior director for golf rules, emphasized that this tool aims to offer answers comparable or superior to those given by human experts.
Golf encompasses 24 foundational rules covering aspects such as equipment and penalties. However, interpreting these rules can be complex. For instance, questions about a ball stopping on an unplayable road, or ricocheting off an alligator’s head into a pond, present unique challenges.
Rules AI debuted in a pilot phase in late May, allowing players at select clubs to interact with the technology via a USGA mobile app. Users ask questions regarding rules, such as moving a ball due to construction or club limit, and receive detailed answers instantly.
This year’s U.S. Open featured interactive screens near the third hole, allowing fans to explore the service. Displayed with an AI-generated official, the setup was managed by Deloitte, which assisted the USGA in creating the system. Visitors received quick rulings with direct references to the rulebook, enhancing understanding of the game’s regulations.
For example, Joe Couhig, a member of Lewis University’s golf team, expressed a desire for such tools during tournaments. Rules AI could help clarify the USGA’s often general rules, offering precise guidance for specific situations.
Rules AI also includes disclaimers, highlighting that it should not replace human authorities and recognizing AI’s potential errors. A fan interaction with this AI tool during the U.S. Open demonstrated its capacity to make golf rules more approachable.
Historically, the USGA offered phone and email assistance for rule inquiries. Rules AI evolved using data from over 25,000 real questions asked by golfers. Anthony Santora, the USGA’s managing director for IT and leader of the AI development team, stated, “The data you use sets you apart.” This AI tool relies on its extensive dataset rather than general internet information.
Santora’s team ensures that Rules AI addresses golf-specific questions and integrates safeguards against inappropriate content. He expressed confidence in its successful rollout, aiming for nationwide availability by spring 2027.
Despite growing interest, some attendees remained unaware of AI tools, like Bruin Richardson from New York City. Yet, the AI initiative aligns with USGA’s efforts to remain a leader among golf’s major championships and its focus on tradition.
The USGA has embraced technology for years, implementing automated shot tracking with radar and offering real-time highlights on its website. Dave Giancola, the USGA’s senior director of global media, highlighted the challenge of processing 30,000 shots over 72 holes from 156 players. AI now provides the flexibility to manage and enhance this vast data.
Recently, the USGA launched RangeCast at the U.S. Women’s Open, showcasing warmup shots with ball-flight data. This complements ShotCast, which offers shot-by-shot visualization, along with text summaries, helping fans understand the game better.
Ned Horton, a visitor, appreciated ShotCast’s ability to present a clearer picture of players’ shots when direct views were obscured. The USGA’s app now features AI-generated summaries comparing players’ performances, updating dynamically as the competition unfolds.
Some spectators, however, prefer the traditional aspect of attending golf events without distractions. Yet, the USGA’s Giancola envisions an interactive future utilizing AI technologies, potentially including AI-enabled glasses for better shot tracking.
The ultimate goal remains to make golf more accessible to newer generations. Giancola reflected, “As a fan of golf, technology, and the U.S. Open, the possibilities are limitless for these championships.”
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