PGA Tour officials sent a letter to tour players on Tuesday alerting them of a new policy that goes into place this week at the RSM Classic. Through local rules at each tournament, competitors now will be permitted to use percussive-therapy devices for recovery purposes during a round.
“Use of a recovery device should not delay play, should be used in consideration of other competitors, and should only be used for medical or stretching purposes,” the letter, obtained by Golf Digest, states.
Last month, the PGA Tour named Hyperice, one of the leading manufacturers of such technology, the official recovery device of the tour.
“The PGA Tour is dedicated to protecting player health, advancing the sport, and promoting optimal performance,” the letter continued. “Our partnership with Hyperice is part of that initiative and we look forward to the benefits that this world-class technology will provide our members, both in training and during play on the course.”
Earlier this year, Brooks Koepka had his trainer, who was walking in the gallery at the PGA Championship, work on Koepka’s hip mid-round. Koepka would now be allowed to carry a percussive-therapy device with him, or have his trainer carry it and use it on him during tournament play.
In addition to Hyperice, Therabody is another leading maker of such massage-therapy devices.
Lanto Griffin, winner of the 2019 Houston Open, discussed his past usage of recovery therapy products with Golf Digest: “Since 2017, I’ve traveled with multiple Hyperice products to help keep my body ready for competition.” Griffin said he uses heating and vibrating wraps to loosen his lower back before rounds and theraputic boots for after round, along with the percussion gun to “get the kinks out.”
The official agreement between Hyperice and the PGA Tour allows for tour players to receive one of the devices. As for whether they’ll start using these devices reguarly on the course, time will tell. But having the option could potentially allow a tour pro the chance to get a quick remedy to a possible injury that might otherwise force them to drop out of an event.
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