Smartphones illegal?

[XTOUR]

I was thinking on using my iphone for tournament play and I was told it was illegal because it had a compass?

[jvincent]

Yes, smartphones are not permitted in tournament play because they have many features which are not allowed under the rules.

[XTOUR]

I didn't know that. Guess I won't be selling my SGX.

[cokelon]

Wow! Didn't know that I have a skycaddie but I also have a gps app on my iPhone just on case.

[AAA]

See

http://www.randa.org/en/RandA/News/N...mber_104886812

[jeffc]

As I have stated before, this is a silly rule. We're trusted to call penalties on ourselves but we can't be trusted not to look at a compass on our smart phones?

[tortoise]

What benefit is the compass? Am I not allowed to look at the sun for direction either?

[jeffc]

What benefit is the compass? Am I not allowed to look at the sun for direction either?

supposedly it helps you determine where the wind is coming from and the direction the grain of the grass is growing. Asinine IMHO.

[Kilroy]

Smart phones can be the source of a lot of information - not just a compass. There is also weather reports and even an app that can make your phone a level that could be used to measure slope of the green, and who knows what else. A dedicated GPS is ok since that is all it does.

[BC MIST]

The Rules of Golf do NOT allow us to use distance measuring devices. Rule 14-3. The fact that the Rules do permit golf clubs and golf associations to put into effect, a Local Rule allowing there use, is something that we should appreciate.

I wonder, too, how many here play at clubs where they know, with certainty, that the Local Rule is posted. Greensmere has the LR, but I also know of clubs where nothing is written, but members still use DMD's, contrary to 14-3.

[spidey]

...yet it's a local rule for OVGA competitions whether or not it's posted in the LR of the club.

...so does this mean that I cannot post scores I play at away clubs due to the fact that I did not check to see if there was a LR for DMDs?

[jeffc]

Smart phones can be the source of a lot of information - not just a compass. There is also weather reports and even an app that can make your phone a level that could be used to measure slope of the green, and who knows what else. A dedicated GPS is ok since that is all it does.

right but really? a weather report? level? Again, we can be trusted to assess penalties on ourselves but not use these apps?

[sebber]

If we were to follow every single rule of golf, it would be a very dull game!

[sharkshooter]

The Rules of Golf do NOT allow us to use distance measuring devices. Rule 14-3. The fact that the Rules do permit golf clubs and golf associations to put into effect, a Local Rule allowing there use, is something that we should appreciate.

Is a cart with GPS considered a distance measuring device? If so, is it reasonable to assume a club which has such carts also has such a local rule?

[OutOfTheRough]

At the golftown events they have a local rule that you can use your smartphone for apps like golflogix etc. they even encourage live scoring using your smartphone using thief website!

[LobWedge]

If we were to follow every single rule of golf, it would be a very dull game!

No, it's not.

[BC MIST]

(1) ...yet it's a local rule for OVGA competitions whether or not it's posted in the LR of the club.

(2)...so does this mean that I cannot post scores I play at away clubs due to the fact that I did not check to see if there was a LR for DMDs?

(1) Correct. The OVGA has no control over what Local Rules its member clubs decides to use, but it decides what Local rules need to be put into effect for each tournament that it conducts, regardless of what the host clubs LR's are. The OVGA's Standard Local Rules are posted on its website. In addition, when we preview a golf course before a tournament, additional local rules may have to be added, depending on the marking and condition of the host course.

(2) Technically, yes. Since the use of DMD's is against the rules, and since scores posted for handicap purposes must be played by the Rules, using a DMD at a club that does not permit its use, would make the score ineligible for posting.

Not meant to stir the pot, but how many clubs that you go to have a set of Local Rules posted and in effect, showing just how "with it" they are? Probably not very many, overall. Are you not glad that we are an exception?

[Kilroy]

I'm with Lobbie on this one. If you don't play by the rules there is no point in keeping score. Nothing wrong with doing that, but I prefer to count em up - whatever they add up to.

[LobWedge]

At the golftown events they have a local rule that you can use your smartphone for apps like golflogix etc. they even encourage live scoring using your smartphone using thief website!

Unfortunately, Golftown only really cares about Golftown, and not so much about how the game is played. They are a corporation that sells golf equipment, and are there to promote their products.

[BC MIST]

Is a cart with GPS considered a distance measuring device? If so, is it reasonable to assume a club which has such carts also has such a local rule?

Yes. Yes.

[BC MIST]

If we were to follow every single rule of golf, it would be a very dull game!

And would your scores be higher?

[leftylucas]

At the golftown events they have a local rule that you can use your smartphone for apps like golflogix etc. they even encourage live scoring using your smartphone using thief website!

Tim, this means I can use my Golf GPS app on my smartphone in the event tomorrow at Kanata Lakes, Decent!!

[LobWedge]

I'm not trying to be sanctimonious here, but the more I study the Rules of Golf, the more I understand why they're written the way they are. The language is very precise for a reason, and "lines" are drawn to protect the integrity of the game. Are the Rules fair? Yes, as fair as they can be. Are the Rules reviewed constantly? Yes, based on observations, study, and input from a multitude of sources (including people like us). The Rules and Decisions are living documents, and I'm certain we haven't heard the last on this subject. One of the issues that the R&A/USGA, et al, are dealing with is that information technology is changing more rapidly than the Rules can be updated. They are fully aware of this, and are working very hard to keep up.

If you have a concern about a Rule, or just want to know more about why it's written the way it is, I know that Brent McLaughlin and Dean Ryan are more than happy to answer your questions if you send them an email.

[OutOfTheRough]

Tim, this means I can use my Golf GPS app on my smartphone in the event tomorrow at Kanata Lakes, Decent!!

They allowed people to do so at the glen abbey tournament, and in previous ones also. When you go check in ask them at the desk for final confirmation, but they have in the past.

Unfortunately, Golftown only really cares about Golftown, and not so much about how the game is played. They are a corporation that sells golf equipment, and are there to promote their products.

I agree with you, but the guys running from my understaning also run in conjunction with the Great Lakes tour. Its not just golftown running the events, but I wonder if they let The Great Lakes tour guys use them or not.


Either way I use sky caddie for my distances, but I guess when I use my phone to keep my score and stats I'm in breach of this rule, and those score shouldn't count.
Ah well, there goes my handicap.

I agree with Jeffc

As I have stated before, this is a silly rule. We're trusted to call penalties on ourselves but we can't be trusted not to look at a compass on our smart phones?

[LobWedge]

As I have stated before, this is a silly rule. We're trusted to call penalties on ourselves but we can't be trusted not to look at a compass on our smart phones?

right but really? a weather report? level? Again, we can be trusted to assess penalties on ourselves but not use these apps?

How do you feel about rangefinders that measure slope, and wind speed, etc?

[OutOfTheRough]

Just found it on the Great Lakes Tour. Althought it doesn't say anything about smartphones, but they do allow DMD.

RULES AMENDMENTS

The following amendments in accordance to the Rules of Golf in Appendix 1/Part B are in effect: See RCGA Rules of Golf Book

for complete details.

1.

Areas of the Course Requiring Preservation; Environmentally Sensitive Areas page 124

When Environmentally Sensitive Areas exist at a championship, copies of the Local Rule will be available from the

starter.

2.

Embedded Ball Through the Green (Rule 25-2) page 127

Extended to include areas Through the Green.

3.

Aeration Holes page 129

Relief from aeration holes is

only available for the lie of the ball.

4.

Seams of Cut Turf page 129

Relief from seams of cut turf is

only available for the lie of the ball.

5.

Temporary Obstructions page 131

When temporary obstructions exist at a championship, the status of such obstructions will be available from the

starter.

6. Distance-Measuring Devices page 136

Distance-Measuring Devices are Permitted use. Penalty is DISQUALIFICATION.

[jeffc]

How do you feel about rangefinders that measure slope, and wind speed, etc?

you're missing the point Rich. Golf is supposed to be a game of honour. According to the rules, we are supposed to call penalties on ourselves, regardless if anyone has seen it happen or not. So we ARE trusted to do this, but NOT trusted to operate a smart phone to only access our GPS/scoring app (or email, answer a call, etc.) but not the other ones (level, compass, etc.). It seems like the powers that be are talking out of both sides of their mouths.

As for the others, I don't know how a weather report is going to help me, let alone a compass, or level, but if that's the rule then so be it. If Rangefinders measure slope are against the rule then that's fine as well, though I don't think they would provide me with a big advantage either, some might but not me. Again, if you can turn slope off somehow then I don't have a problem with people using them, you can only keep the honest people honest.

[LobWedge]

you can only keep the honest people honest.

Yes, but you keep everybody honest if you don't allow access to them in the first place.

And by the way, it's not trust. It's an expectation.

[spidey]

.....how many clubs that you go to have a set of Local Rules posted and in effect, showing just how "with it" they are? Probably not very many, overall. Are you not glad that we are an exception?

....and yet you wouldn't believe me if I told you how many times I am asked to quote them. At least you have one reader.

[spidey]

(2) Technically, yes. Since the use of DMD's is against the rules, and since scores posted for handicap purposes must be played by the Rules, using a DMD at a club that does not permit its use, would make the score ineligible for posting.

If a player uses a distance (only) measuring device or plays a round under preferred
lies, regardless of the Local Rule established, the score remains acceptable for
handicap purposes. (See Decision 5-1e/2 and Section 7.) This policy also includes
situations that are generally out of the player’s control, such as incorrectly installed
hole liners or an incorrectly marked golf course. (See Section 15-5.) (NEW)

....looks like they've thought of that too, now.