USGA/R&A: You Can Keep Your Silly Little Distance Measuring Device

Though I'm not sure about this clarification on GPS-enabled phones/PDA's:

3.     Multi-functional devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, etc (i.e., devices that are primarily communication devices, but which may have other potential uses) may be used as follows:

·         The device may be used for any non-golfing purpose (e.g., as a communication tool to phone, text or email), subject to any club/course regulations and the rules on accessing advice-related matters – see Decision 14-3/16.

·         When the local rule is in effect, a distance-measuring application may be used, provided the specific application is restricted to “distance only” and the device does not have any other “non-conforming” features. This is the case even if these other features are not being used. As above, the rules on advice-related communications (including the use of the internet) still apply.

So this rules out the new iphone GPS app when the local rule is in effect?

Comments

[Johnv]

It does rule out the iPhone since it has a compass app unless you deleted the compass or any other app not allowed.

[court]

doesn't the iPhone also have sensors and an app that can help with reading greens ?

[E.P. Richardson]

The USGA is funny. It's ok to know the distance, but not the elevation, or the wind velocity, or the compass bearing.

Gosh, I think of all the times I played for a 2.7 knot wind and came up short because it was really 3.4. Or when I misjudged the height of the trees and assumed the approach at 18 at ANGC was a 26 foot elevation change, when it was really 34. I chipped in that time, though, so maybe it helped.

Writing rules is hard...we know they've run into issues in terms of failing to stay ahead (or even up to) technology. But allowing determination of distance but banning the rest is sort of silly. Give people enough information (rope) and they'll overload (hang themselves).

I think Tom Morris would laugh, and then hit you over the head with his baffin' spoon, if you gave him the yardage, wind velocity, and various orienteering data.

[Johnv]

EP,

The distance genie has been out of the bottle for most of a hundred years. The others have been prohibited. The USGA and R&A are trying to keep to that standard. It might or might not make sense at times, but if it was open season on information there would be players laying things down on the green to show them the slope of the green etc.

[E.P. Richardson]

I think that if/when they do lay devices on the green to show them the slope, it won't help them one whit. I see your point...it's logical, but I just don't think it's a very important one.

[Erik J. Barzeski]

Very simple:

You can use everything on the phone - text messages, take calls, etc. - including a GPS app so long as you don't violate a) the rule about measuring distance ONLY, and b) the rule about advice.

So it's irrelevant that an iPhone has a weather app. You've broken the rules if you LAUNCH the weather app. If your GPS app on your phone shows weather or wind speed or a compass, you can't use it even if those features are disabled or not accessed. If it only shows distance, it's fine.